ポン＝ア＝セルの天然記念物・トップ13

One of a total of two birdwatching huts in this part of the nature reserve of the former sedimentation ponds of the Genappe sugar factory. This one offers by far the best view with a beautiful large pond. The lookout hut is accessible via a simple gate (everything else is fenced) and a few stairs. A wonderfully quiet place too and well maintained. The classic information boards with birds that you could observe are present. The surroundings are also beautiful with a lovely path that leads you to the access to the stairs to the hut and offers beautiful views since you are already at a height before you climb to the lookout hut.

A beautiful stop along the Ravel L141. It is really enjoyable here. Herons, ducks and other birds galore in a beautiful setting. And with a bit of luck, the reflection on the water will make it all even more picturesque. I just couldn't get enough of it.

The Réserve Naturelle des Décanteurs de la Sucrerie de Genappe is an important nature reserve in Genappe. It is the largest nature reserve in Brabant Wallon, with an area of 77 hectares. This nature reserve was originally part of the old sugar factory of Genappe, and included several green areas and settling basins. It officially became a nature reserve in 2015. The reserve is rich in biodiversity, with more than 200 bird species recorded in the last twenty years. This makes it one of the most important ornithological sites in Wallonia. The reserve is also home to several special vegetation communities. The reserve is managed by the Department of Nature and Forests of the Walloon Region (DNF) with the collaboration of the ASBL Environnement Dyle.

a suspended moment

The Aulniats slag heap is an elongated and flat slag heap, with an unstructured look that culminates at 186 m. Its abundant vegetation, its viewpoints over the Sambre valley and its small "canyon" colored with reddish hues by the combustion of the shales are all discoveries that will punctuate your walk on the slag heap. Witness to the activity of the last Walloon coal mine, the Aulniats slag heap is an invitation to a bucolic outing for the whole family. It conceals so many unsuspected treasures! Thus, lovers of mining remains will be pleasantly surprised to discover industrial structures at its foot. Budding geologists will scrape the surface of the slag heap to discover the reddish shales, witnesses of the self-combustion of the slag heap. These red shales were also exploited until 2001 as backfill, in particular to stabilize the runway at Charleroi airport. As for photographers, they will enjoy the exceptional panorama offered by its summit plateau! Hikers, for their part, will be delighted to walk in an environment of high quality flora and fauna. A pedestrian connection is possible with the slag heap n°7 of the Gouffre located a few cables away.

The Pétria slag heap, known as “Seat No. 1” was created between 1870 and 1926. It was then exploited and reworked as part of the recovery of coal shale and residual coal. Bought by the City of Fontaine-l'Evêque in 1995, the Pétria slag heap was classified as a "Natura 2000" zone in 2002. In 2020, the site became an approved nature reserve for batrachians following substantial developments aimed at protecting natterjack toads and midwife toads: excavation of temporary ponds, cleaning of sludge tanks to make them a breeding site, cleaning and clearing of the Babelone pond. https://www.destinationterrils.eu/fr/terril-du-petria

Nice view and nice city park on a slag heap.

Observatory. Peaceful place to observe this site of biodiversity while respecting nature, flora and fauna.