Marlagne, the Meuse Plateau and the banks of the Meuse at Wépion

The car park is located at Wépion Station, opposite number 914 on the Chaussée de Dinant, near the start of Rue Dachet. If this car park is full, you’ll find spaces along the Chaussée de Dinant.

(S/E) Set off along the towpath beside the Meuse towards Namur. A kilometre further on, you’ll reach the RYCSM sailing club’s chalet. Immediately after, take the very short street leading back to the main road. Cross carefully at the pedestrian crossing and turn left until you reach the roundabout.

(1) Take the small road immediately on the right (Fonds des Chênes). After a few bends, the road climbs steadily and passes to the left of a series of ponds. At the end of the last pond, and before a beautiful white house (the former Marlagne mill), leave the tarmac to pass under a brick gateway, the former entrance to the Château Drion estate. Ignore a path on the left (off-limits, blocked by a chain) and continue along the main path. It is authorised but is sometimes closed by a barrier, which you can easily go round. The path continues to a large pond. Carry straight on to cross the embankment that encloses it.

(2) Take the narrow path to the right on the other side of the embankment. After passing the end of the pond, it turns right, crosses a stream and reaches a crossroads after a short, somewhat steep climb. Turn right for a few metres, then head up a wide path. Keep left at the next bend. After another bend, the path leads to the Marlagne cultural centre, with its futuristic architecture.

(3) Head up the cobbled path to the left, then continue left onto the road after the car park to leave the Marlagne estate. Continue straight on this road and take the second street on the left, called Rue des Cormiers. It soon turns right, then left. Follow it to the end to reach the T-junction with Rue du Suary.

(4) Follow Rue du Suary (which can sometimes be quite busy) to the left for 500 m. Leave it near a large house (the former home of the Drion Castle gamekeeper) and take Allée de Néris to the left, which leads to the Marlagne Chapel and the former entrance gate of Marlagne Monastery.

(5) Continue to the crossroads and turn left onto Chemin des Archiducs. Ignore the turnings to Vevi Wéron farm and the sports grounds.

(6) Turn right at the crossroads with a statue of the Virgin Mary (Chemin du Bienvenu) and then, shortly afterwards, left. You will reach Route de Saint-Gérard.

(7) Cross carefully and continue straight ahead into Rue de Bailin. Turn left at the T-junction (Tienne aux Clochers) then right (Rue de Brimez). 500 m further on, you’ll reach the bottom of Chemin de Bierlinfosse.

(8) Walk up this fairly steep path. Turn around to admire the view across the Meuse valley. Note also, on the left, the roof of the cultural centre rising above the trees. After a left-hand bend, the path descends and joins a road (Tienne aux Pierres). Walk down to the left for a few dozen metres, then take the path climbing steeply to the right. You will soon reach a sharp bend in the road.

(9) Continue straight ahead along the almost straight road (Tienne aux Pierres). After about 1 km, the tarmac road turns left, then immediately right. Leave the tarmac at this second bend and take the gravel path leading downhill. Enjoy the beautiful view towards the Meuse valley.

(10) Go straight on at the crossroads to continue the descent along the grassy path. Crossing a stream may be a bit tricky after a spell of rain (mud). After a sharp left-hand bend, continue to a junction of small roads in the Collets district.

(11) It is best to descend via the small, rough road (Chemin des Bouvreuils) and then continue down the other small road (Chemin des Collets). At the very bottom, join the Chaussée de Dinant.

(12) Follow this road to the left for 100 m, then cross quickly and with the utmost caution to take the perpendicular street opposite (take particular care of cars coming from the right, as visibility is poor on that side). Continue to the Meuse to reach the Wépion lock.

(13) Turn left onto the towpath. Walk for about 3 km along the Meuse to return to the car park (S/E).

You’ll find picnic benches either near the pond (2) (the best spot is on the north bank) or along the towpath. The small meadow by Marlagne Chapel (5) is also a good option.

Along the entire towpath, you must be very careful of cyclists who can sometimes approach quickly from behind.

Between (S/E) and (1), you can admire the Rochers du Néviau on the opposite bank. Fancy a spot of rock climbing?

The Marlagne estate through which you pass (between (2) and (3) and on the Allée de Néris) was once the site of a monastery of the Carmelite Order (the “Saint Désert de Marlagne”). The foundation stone was laid by Archduke Albert and Archduchess Isabelle in 1619, and the monastery existed until the French Revolution. Today, almost all that remains are sections of the surrounding wall, which you will see in a few places. The site enjoyed a second heyday from 1865 onwards with the construction of a sumptuous château by the Drion family. The château was situated near (3). It was abandoned in the 1920s and was gradually dismantled; nothing remains of it today. The site was eventually purchased by the French Ministry of Culture to build the current cultural centre (the foundation stone was laid in 1971).

Near the lock (13) you can admire some beautiful ponds. These are the ‘Noues’ of the Meuse, abandoned branches of the river following its embankment. A few information boards will tell you about the site’s flora and fauna.

Along the towpath, you can admire some beautiful, largely intact “Meuse-style” villas. Many others have unfortunately disappeared or undergone modern alterations. You will also be able to admire Dave Castle and its beautiful grounds on the opposite bank, and Wasseige Castle on the Wépion side. These castles are not open to the public.

The Strawberry Museum is well worth a visit, and near the (S/E) there is a selection of ice cream parlours and restaurants!