TOINE CULOT - A TASTE OF BYGONE DAYS IN THE VALLEYS OF THE EAUX VIVES

Espace Arthur Masson © Kouprianoff

We are not responsible for possible price changes. Please contact the organiser before you go.

The Tourist Office of the valley of the Eaux Vives in Couvin will be your point of departure and return. And where better to start than the Cavernes de l'Abîme. After that, we suggest you visit Frasnes. When you reach Petigny, on your right you will see the signs for the Grottes de Neptune (Neptune's Caves).
Enjoy your time in Mariembourg, a town with a French je ne sais quoi. A pleasant country road zigzags its way to Treignes, the town that Arthur Masson adopted as his home. The village of Nismes has made tremendous efforts to help visitors learn about the history of its plateau.
Towards Mariembourg you will go past the Red Mill that is now a brewery, the brasserie des Fagnes and where the Super des Fagnes is brewed now.

Comment:

Couvin, Petigny (Frasnes), Mariembourg, Fagnolle, Villers-le-Gambon, Mazée, Treignes, Nismes, Couvin. (70 Km) - car.

Practical info :
Cavernes de l'Abîme - Rue de la Falaise, 27 in 5660 Couvin
Tel.: +32 (0)60/31 19 54
Grottes de Neptune - Rue de l'Adugeoir, 24 in 5660 Petigny (Frasnes)
Tel.: +32 (0)60/31 19 54
Espace Arthur Masson - Rue E. Defraire, 36 in 5660 Treignes
Tel.: +32 (0)60/39 15 00
Tourist Train - Rue Vieille Eglise, 2 in 5670 Nismes
Tel. : +32 (0)60/31 16 35
The Fagnes Brewery - Route de Nismes, 26 in 5660 Mariembourg
Tel.: +32 (0)60/31 15 70 - www.brasseriedesfagnes.be - mail@brasseriedesfagnes.be

Extra information:

Places of interest in the surroundings
The steam train des 3 Vallées (MARIEMBOURG) ; one of the most beautiful villages of Wallonia (FAGNOLLE) ; the castle-farm (ROLY) ; Gallo-Roman villa (MATAGNE-LA-GRANDE) ; Ecomuseum, Museum of Prehistory : the Malgré-Tout, the Railway Museum (TREIGNES)

Tourist places dedicated to beer and its culture
The Comptoir des Fagnes, beers, cheeses and many regional products are sold
(COUVIN); in the Railway Museum: sampling of the beer "Spéciale Train à Vapeur" (TREIGNES)

Maison du Tourisme de la Vallée des Eaux Vives - Rue de la Falaise, 3 in 5660 Couvin
Tel. : +32 (0)60/ 34.01.40 - valleesdeseauxvives@skynet.be

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Tourist information linked to this suggestion:

"ABIME" PREHISTORIC CAVERNS (COUVIN) The vast cliff of Couvin limestone leading down to an enormous semicircular platform which, in times gone by provided shelter to Neandertal Man and which is the largest subterranean in Belgium. The upper cave opening onto a large covered entrance and now refurbished to form a museum to the Stone Age containing typical artefacts and fauna of the paleolithic era : mammoth, bear,... and a Neandertal human milk tooth (unearthed in 1985). The lower cave is a giant pot-hole of 12 m. height which gives a magical impression through a sound and light show. You can also follow the prehistoric adventure thanks to an audio-visual show. Superb view over the Eau Noire Valley and Couvin. Address: Rue de la Falaise 5660 COUVIN Tel.:+32 (0) 60 31 19 54 know more...

BREWERY OF THE FAGNES (MARIEMBOURG) © Brasserie des Fagnes New and unique in Europe. Plunge into the heart of our two breweries and see how techniques have changed over the last 150 years. You will learn all about the art of brewing our home made beer "Super des Fagnes". In a magic setting you will find a modern working brewery, set alongside the restored 19th century brewery. Our brewer and staff will be delighted to answer your questions. Address: Brasserie des Fagnes Route de Nismes 26 5660 MARIEMBOURG (COUVIN) Tel.:+32 (0) 60 31 15 70 know more...

ECOMUSEUM OF THE VIROIN (TREIGNES) © asbl DIRE-Ecomusée du Viroin Listed château-farm. The eco museum presents the most important traditional craftsmen: clog-maker, cooper, blacksmith,… Demonstration with clog machine. Address: Ferme-Château Rue Eugène Defraire 63 5670 TREIGNES (VIROINVAL) Tel.:+32 (0) 60 39 96 24 know more...

ESPACE ARTHUR MASSON - TRIGNOLLES (TREIGNES) © Espace Arthur Masson asbl Situated in the heart of the superb Viroin Valley, this site is dedicated to the Walloon "Pagnol" and allows one the chance to discover in a unique way, through Arthur Masson's work and his time, the rural world of the Ardennes from 1930 to 1960, as well as the traditional language of the region: Walloon. The discovery tour, a tape guide in FR, NL, EN and DE, films on the region, presentation of local products and crafts will bring this museum-village and its region to life. We offer especially for groups a one-hour animation in the SCHOOL OF THE PAST, a classroom from 1932, where pupils can experience the harsh discipline from those days. With slates, plumes and inkpots. Address: Rue Eugène Defraire 36 5670 TREIGNES (VIROINVAL) Tel.:+32 (0) 60 39 15 00 know more...

FAGNOLLE - ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN WALLONIA (FAGNOLLE) © asbl Les Plus Beaux Villages de Wallonie Town of Philippeville (Province of Namur) Fagne-Famenne Nestled on the hillside, Fagnolle is a tiny village bursting with slate and limestone and has retained its homogeneous architectural homogeneity, which dates from the 18th century. Fagnolle is typical of a contiguous settlement. Agricultural exploitations, the dwellings of the working-class population of the 19th century and the arrival of the townsfolk fill the existing vacant spaces. Fagnolle is and excellent example of a typical terraced village of the Fagne area in the Province of Namur. © asbl Les Plus Beaux Villages de Wallonie Address: 5600 FAGNOLLE (PHILIPPEVILLE) Tel.:+32 (0) 83 65 72 40 know more...

LE COMPTOIR DES FAGNES (COUVIN) Address: N-5 Route Charlemagne 34 5660 COUVIN Tel.:+32 (0) 60 34 52 95 know more...

MUSEUM OF "MALGRE-TOUT" (TREIGNES) Photo P. Cattelain ©CEDARC asbl Archaeology museum: temporary exhibition (all year), regional archaeology, animations, guided visits to archaeological sites, information space, screening room, library… Park of the Prehistory: reconstruction of the environment of prehistoric men (hunter-gatherer). Address: Rue de la Gare 28 5670 TREIGNES (VIROINVAL) Tel.:+32 (0) 60 39 02 43 know more...

NEPTUNE CAVES (PETIGNY) © Grottes de Neptune The conducted tour begins, against a natural setting of quite stunning beauty, at the foot of givetian limestone cliff, on a catwalk overlooking the wild and meandering river "Eau Noire". Crossing in front of an impressive porch which is the river's main dropping point at present. Visit the two upper galleries of the Caves of Neptune, with their superb concretionary rock formations. The visit continues with a 20 min. boat trip along the underground river, 10 m below the level of the Eau Noire, highlighted by an unusual "music & light" display, unique in Europe, during the course of which a number of rushing waterfalls form an impressive backdrop to the display : music of Vangélis, stroboscopic effects. Address: Route de l'Adugeoir 24 5660 PETIGNY (COUVIN) Tel.:+32 (0) 60 31 19 54 know more...

STEAM TRAIN MUSEUM (TREIGNES) © Didier Mosseray - Musée du Chemin de Fer à Vapeur During 45 min. the past will become the present, thanks to impressive steam locomotives, miniature trains, objects of art and materials which are installed in more than 50 display cases. Address: Plateau de la Gare 5670 TREIGNES (VIROINVAL) Tel.:+32 (0) 60 39 09 48 know more...

MAISON DU TOURISME DES VALLEES DES EAUX VIVES (COUVIN) © OPT / J.L. Flemal Lakes, rivers, wells, capricious valleys, steep hillsides and deep woods at less than one hour away from Brussels, in the southwest of the province of Namur. Way-marked routes currently cover over thousand kilometres of walking, mountain biking or horse-riding pleasure. Numerous attractions and quality museums give an entertaining and instructive insight into the life of the inhabitants. You can't talk about the Vallée des Eaux Vives without mentioning its folklore. Every summer the traditional marches put the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse region in a state of excitement to the beat of pipes and drums. Address: Rue de la Falaise 3 5660 COUVIN Tel.:+32 (0) 60 34 01 40 know more...