Athの天然記念物・トップ13

Michel Raulier: The Nail Tree of Stambruges Tree worship in our region is very ancient. Proof of this is the discovery in Blicquy, in the place called "Ville d'Anderlecht," of a set of 120 posts up to 90 cm in diameter. These may have served as supports for offerings, as evidenced by the numerous iron pins found in the filling holes. This could correspond to an artificial sacred grove housing deities, similar to Lucan's description of petrified forests in Pharsalia. In the past, trees, with their longevity and majestic shape, aroused a sense of sacredness in the minds of our ancestors. They were also believed to be capable of helping people solve their problems, particularly health problems. Many customs exist: walking around the tree, driving nails to fix the ailment, and tying cloths or fabrics to bind it. These trees were often Christianized by the installation of religious images or a chapel nearby. One example among others is that of Notre Dame de Foy. In Foy, near Dinant, a woodcutter discovered a 15th-century statuette in the heart of a very ancient oak tree in 1609. Long forgotten, the figurine bearing the image of the Virgin had been placed in a niche carved into the trunk. Over time, the wood completely covered it and erased its memory. In Stambruges, there is one of these remarkable trees, and beside it is a chapel, called "the chapel of Erconpuch" or, by another name, "the chapel of Arc-au-Puche," dedicated to the Virgin Our Lady of Arc-au-Puits, formerly called the Virgin of the Woods.

Superb forest path, in relatively good condition and with a gentle slope. Be careful, it can be quite slippery when it's wet.

Away from the hustle and bustle. Enjoy the mystical Livierenbos. The mystical Livierenbos is a large old forest with open spaces located on the border of the Flemish Ardennes and Pays des Collines. In this large forest, too, the bluebell is the main character every year in April. Historical significance: the name of the forest – in French Bois de la Louvière – is Romanesque in origin and refers to the presence of wolves. Wolves lived in the forest until the 17th century, which regularly led to fierce hunts. With the knowledge of the past (werewolves) and the possible appearance of flying witches, it is doubly enjoyable and we stroll dreamily along blue-purple carpets through the present.

The mystical Livierenbos is a large old forest with open spaces located on the border of the Flemish Ardennes and Pays des Collines. In this large forest, too, the bluebell is the main character every year in April. Historical significance: the name of the forest – in French Bois de la Louvière – is Romanesque in origin and refers to the presence of wolves. Wolves lived in the forest until the 17th century, which regularly led to fierce hunts. With the knowledge of the past (werewolves) and the possible appearance of flying witches, it is doubly enjoyable and we stroll dreamily along blue-purple carpets through the present.

A recommendation to come here for a walk in the spring when the purple flowers show themselves. Once they show their heads, you better not wait too long to put on your walking shoes. After two weeks the bluebells disappear again.

A remarkable journey due to its landscapes, its relief, its fields and its farms

The House of Medicinal Plants of Flobecq is a place dedicated to the discovery of therapeutic herbs. Founded in an old converted school, this house offers an educational and multisensory journey tracing the history of medicinal plants since Antiquity. The garden has more than 100 species of plants, a conservatory orchard and a 4.5 kilometer nature trail dotted with sculptures.

The Mer de Sable nature reserve is a 22-hectare protected area, renowned for its peat moors and young birch forests. Formerly a pond that dried up in the 19th century, the site is home to exceptional flora, including heather and carnivorous plants such as the sundew. The reserve, classified as a major heritage site in Wallonia, offers marked trails for hiking and observing local biodiversity.