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Fernelmont

Old Fort of Marchovelette

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Belgium

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Wallonie

Namur

Fernelmont

Old Fort of Marchovelette

Recommended by 23 hikers out of 24

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Location: Fernelmont, Namur, Namur, Wallonie, Wallonia, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Old Fort of Marchovelette

4.0

(1)

hikers

1. Around Fort de Marchovelette — loop from Champion

10.2km

02:46

130m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Intermediate

4.5

(20)

113

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2. Abbaye du Vivier – Abbey of Notre-Dame du Vivier loop from Franc-Waret

22.6km

06:11

350m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Expert

4.4

(7)

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3. Old Fort of Marchovelette loop from Champion

4.49km

01:12

50m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Tips

Paul_C

January 21, 2024

Fort Marchovelette is one of the nine forts which constituted the fortifications of Namur at the end of the 19th century. Built between 1888 and 1892, this triangular fort was designed by General Henri Alexis Brialmont, a renowned Belgian military engineer. The fort was heavily bombarded by German artillery during both world wars, and it still bears the scars of the battles. Today the fort is used as a training center for the army and police and is not open to the public. However, you can still admire its exterior from the Petit Bois de Grande Salle, a nature reserve that is home to a variety of flora and fauna.

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Willem VS

February 27, 2023

Small triangular fort very similar to Fort d'Évegnée, although its layout is unique in its kind, Fort Marchovelette, located northeast of the town of Namur, was (with Cognelée) one of the forts of the fortified position of Namur the most violently bombarded, both in 1914 and in 1940. Indeed, among the forts located to the east of the city (Germany side), those on the left bank were located in a less rugged environment, more conducive to an infantry approach.

In 1914, the garrison, terrified by the unprecedented violence of the bombardment, fled on the first day of the attack, August 21 (it was replaced the next day). Like Fort Chaudfontaine, Marchovelette was pierced right through and it almost suffered the same fate as Fort Loncin. All the ammunition stored in the corridors was blown up, but the powder magazines remained intact. During the occupation, in 1915 and 1916, the Germans repaired the damage and modified the structures of the fort. It was rearmed during the 1930s.

In 1940, Marchovelette was again, with Suarlée, the first fort in the fortified position of Namur to suffer German bombardments. The Stukas and 88 mm cannons quickly overcame the fort's defenses. The ventilation tower was half destroyed by the 88 mm anti-tank guns (the ventilation tower was the most damaged of all).

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Willem VS

February 27, 2023

Military field, it is used nowadays (2007) for explosives tests. Entry is strictly prohibited, except by special authorization, and it is permanently guarded. The secondary accesses have been closed off in order to secure the site. The overhead crane was removed and the ditch it covered was blocked.

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Elevation 240 m

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Friday 26 September

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Location: Fernelmont, Namur, Namur, Wallonie, Wallonia, Belgium

Old Fort of Marchovelette

1. Around Fort de Marchovelette — loop from Champion

2. Abbaye du Vivier – Abbey of Notre-Dame du Vivier loop from Franc-Waret

3. Old Fort of Marchovelette loop from Champion

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