Franchimont and Florennes

Here, as elsewhere, take advantage of the beautiful autumn colours to leave behind the deep, dark forests of certain areas of the Ardennes, where spruce trees reign supreme, and explore the countryside and deciduous forests of the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse region.

Set off along the small paths and trails to explore the villages of Omezée, Romedenne and Surice, and follow the Hermeton to Moulin Bayot.

This long circular route alternates harmoniously between countryside and forest, making a complete tour of the Florennes (military) air base via the (almost) shortest possible route on public paths and trails, avoiding busy roads. One difficulty on this route: see the "description" box.

This hike is a shorter version of the Grande Boucle around Lautenne and Surice, southern section, cut off at Omezée, reversed and starting from the Romedenne cemetery. As indicated, the route passes through Soulme, ranked among the most beautiful villages in Wallonia, after descending into the Hermeton valley (home to beavers). Here you will see the old Moulin Bayot mill, which has been beautifully renovated. Partly rural, the circular route follows country and forest paths, a few trails, some local roads with little traffic and crosses a nature reserve shortly before the finish. Of the three villages, Romedenne has the most monumental church. It is also where the annual wheelbarrow festival takes place on the first weekend of August. In Omezée, there is a beautiful view from the cemetery at the entrance to the village of the church and the old castle next to it. There are also two lime trees and a grotto dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

A circular that is half countryside, half forest, allowing you to discover the region east of Philippeville between Romedenne, the village where the wheelbarrow festival has been in full swing (with participants and spectators from all walks of life and, above all, a friendly atmosphere and good humour) every first weekend in August for over 40 years, and the southern borders of Rosée (part of Florennes). Surice Castle is easy to spot but rather difficult to photograph (trees, surrounding walls, electric wires, etc.). The castle in Omezée, on the other hand, is clearly visible from the cemetery at the entrance to the village (in the direction of the route) but it is rather neglected. Omezée, the smallest village in Wallonia, has two hundred-year-old lime trees, one next to the church and the other in Champelle at the entrance to the village on the way back, after the northern tip towards Rosée.Don't miss the work of art 'La vie éternelle' (Eternal Life), on display along the main road between Lautenne and Surice, while it is still there.

Partly rural, partly forest, this rather long hike is a circular route to the east of the municipality of Philippeville with detours to Doische (Soulme) and Florennes (Rosée). Beautiful view (behind) of the church and the old castle next to it from the Omezée cemetery. Centuries-old lime trees and a grotto dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Omezée. Soulme has been named one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia. After Soulme, the hike enters the Hermeton valley, home to one of Wallonia's wildest rivers (with active beavers). You can't miss the imposing church of Romedenne or any of the wheelbarrow decorations. Romedenne has been the scene of a big wheelbarrow festival every first weekend in August for over 40 years. The northern part, which is also partly wooded and partly rural, is usually very quiet... but this calm can be severely disrupted when military aircraft take off from the nearby Florennes air base.

An easy walk, mainly through woodland between Villers-en-Fagne, Sautour and Merlemont.

You can start from Florennes Central Station. Head towards Rue Gérard de Cambrai, and when you reach Rue de Corenne, go under the Ravel bridge and continue for about 2 km. You will come to a second bridge, with a sawmill on your right. Take the path on the left after 60 metres, turn right for 1.5 km, turn left at the first crossroads and continue until you cross a large brick bridge. Go down this bridge onto the Ravel on the right, which will take you back to Florennes Central Station. After a beautiful walk in the woods, this hike joins the Ravel line 136A, which can take you to Maredsous or Fosses la Ville.