周辺の天然記念物・トップ10

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.

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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.

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Ornithological nature reserve, with magnificent species. Several observation points set up for bird watching. accessible to PMR.

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Special, that sandy area and a nice place to eat (there is also a restaurant)

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There are two viewing huts on the route. But especially many ornithologists. This must clearly be a special place!

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Located in the heart of the Haine valley, between Mons and Tournai, the marshy complex of Harchies-Hensies-Pommeroeul, better known as the Marais d'Harchies, is a major site for the fauna and flora of Wallonia. Covering an area of 550 hectares, this site of great biological interest is home to many species and constitutes an important transit site during bird migration and offers ideal conditions for the nesting and wintering of numerous species. Its registration as a “Ramsar” wetland confirms its importance on an international scale. https://oiseaumaraisdharchies.be/

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In the forest of Stambruges is 'la Fontaine bouillante', the bubbling spring where, according to legend, a mistress of the Prince De Ligne drowned with her coach and the crew of the coach tries to surface. In reality, it is spring water bubbling up through a crack in the earth. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bos_van_Stambruges

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Very beautiful site, beautiful nature reserve, home to many birds. Some observatories on the route to better appreciate this walk

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Thanks Fg Bob, If you pass by Hasnon near Valenciennes, there is also one with a small chapel and a text dedicated to praying.

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Here are some of the key points of Arconpuch: The date of construction of the original chapel is unknown to us, but before 1833 as attested by Ph. Vander Maelen. It is due, according to legend, to the chance find of a statue of the Virgin at the foot of the tree. The priest, having learned of the facts, wanted to transport it to his church. The next morning, she returned to her original place, as if moved by divine intervention. When the clergyman pretended to bring her back, she asked him to build her a chapel at the foot of his tree. Which was immediately done. This is probably an example of the recovery of a pagan cult by the Church. The two cults eventually merged. Thus some believers ask for favors by nailing various objects to the tree, unconsciously invoking pagan deities while thanking the Virgin, while others request Notre Dame de L'Arc au Puche by simply meditating near the chapel. The Virgin is invoked for childhood illnesses. In the past, the faithful recited rosaries while circling the chapel, hoping to obtain graces. It is on August 15 and Easter Monday that pious people come, sometimes from far away, to prove their devotion to him. https://stambrugesgrandglisenotrevillage.wordpress.com/2010/12/24/chapelle-de-l-arconpuch/

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The Mer de Sable is included in the 'Campine hennuyère', a region which extends to the north of the Haine depression, on very poor and acidic sands. Formerly, the region was covered with vast heather moors, which have almost completely disappeared today. Only a few fragments remain here and there, the most representative of which is found at the Sea of Sand. The site is on the site of a very old pond which still existed in the middle of the 19th century. Its protected status is justified by the presence of a very particular plant association colonizing bare wet sands and sheltering three species that have become exceptional in Wallonia: the brown rhyncospore (Rhynchospora fusca), of which it is the only known locality, the lycopod flooded (Lycopodiella inundata) and the intermediate sundew (Drosera intermedia). These three very fragile plants owe their survival only to the practice of pruning, which helps maintain their living environment. We also observe the quaternate heather (Erica tetralix) as well as the stiff rush (Juncus squarrosus), the molinia (Molinia caerulea), etc. In addition to its remarkable biodiversity, the Sea of Sand is of archaeological interest since numerous objects, notably carved tools, have been discovered in various places on the site. http://biodiversite.wallonie.be/fr/80-mer-de-sable.html?IDD=251659791&IDC=1881

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Like most of the wetlands in the Haine valley, the Harchies-Hensies-Pommeroeul marshes were formed in subsidence caused by mining. The depressions were formed in the mid-1920s and immediately filled with water. This is how the ponds we can still see today were formed. The fact that mining was once practiced is still visible in the many mine heaps. These very dry and warm environments are home to a special flora and fauna. However, the greatest interest of the 'Marais d'Harchies-Hensies-Pommeroeul' lies in the wetlands. The ponds and their bankside vegetation cover a large area.Museum description: A magnificent natural area The marshes are the largest reed-covered area in Wallonia (more than 50 hectares). The number of animal species is not that great, but they are rare and some are even threatened with extinction. More than 300 species have already been observed there and about 100 of them have bred there at least once. Some species have not been observed in recent years, but others have recently settled there. Source: https://www.visitwapi.be/nl/moeras-van-harchies

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One of the better ornithological sites in Wallonia, be sure to bring binoculars!

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The closest access to the boiling fountain is from the Hameau des Ecacheries side. At the end of rue du Bosquet, take the dirt road that goes into the forest. Quite quickly, you will find a marked path on your left, heading east. It is at the level of a small bridge that you then discover this source whose surface of the water is constantly agitated with fine bubbles. It’s not the heat of the water, a bit hotter than it should be, that is causing this incessant bubbling. It is in fact the air which, thanks to a fault, crosses the sandy layer at the bottom of the source. The legend of the sunken coach the boiling fountain of Stambruges hides the legend of the sunken coach. This unusual phenomenon has fueled a tragic legend linked to the place. In fact, it is said that in the past, one of the princes of the house of Ligne, to which Beloeil castle belongs, not far from here, was nicknamed the great devil. A nickname due to his reputation as an unrepentant gallant. He invited a young lady to spend a romantic evening on Good Friday. The unfortunate woman never returned to her home ... Coach, horses, coachman and young girl disappeared body and well in the waters of the spring. Nobody knew that she was the cause of the accident… divine punishment or jealousy… Some murmured that the mad coachman in love with his mistress could not bear that she gave herself thus to this prince so depraved… He then rushed all his crew in the dark waters, reputed to engulf forever objects and living beings trapped in the sands that sleep at the bottom ... This is how since midnight, every Good Friday, it is said that the coach reappears for a short time. We then hear the driver cracking his whip ... Before he dives again until the following year ...

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The two rag trees of Stambruges There are now two of them carrying the wishes and hopes of recovery. The oldest, a black locust tree, fell to the ground in 2009. However, we continue to drive nails into it and leave personal objects, toys, clothes, shoes, bandages... These are the famous "rags" that we also find hanging to chapels, calvaries, springs in the region… The second, a younger oak, its “replacement” is right next door. Some “rags” also hang from the trunk to end up on the ground, a sign of healing according to tradition. But obviously, the old locust tree, even dead, still largely retains the votes of pilgrims. You will notice the nails embedded in the bark. The rag trees of Stambruges would in fact be related to the tradition of nail trees, a tradition formerly common in northern France and Belgium. Originally, we just drove a nail into the tree, the menhir or the statue... By reciting a prayer or making a wish. Easier to deposit, more personal, rags have gradually taken over. The rag trees of Stambruges are both invoked for the healing of skin diseases, rheumatism, childhood illnesses, to make it easier for babies to walk or the healing of wounds... We do not know when this belief dates back. On the other hand, when we look at the photos taken at the beginning of the 20th century, the locust tree, to the right of the chapel, does not yet seem to be covered in rags.

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