Discover the agenda of all activities in Saint-Hubert: Grande Forêt de Saint-Hubert
Around the castle
Walking
If you’re in for some real relaxation in the middle of untouched nature, put on your walking shoes and discover the Provincial Domain around the castle. Four diverse walks of varying length (from 4,2 to 12 km), starting at the fishponds, lead you past a mixture of breathtaking nature and fascinating history. Feel the mysterious atmosphere in the 16th century ghost town of Marsolle or the sorceress’s pit. Discover the former animal park of chatelaine Marguerite de la Marck or tread in the wake of the charcoal burners. Stroll between water and wildlife, discover a 19th century icehouse in the cliffs or walk to the lumberjack’s cross and commemorate the tragic death of two hardworking lumbermen.
Pisciculture
Anyone who says Mirwart, immediately thinks of the fish farm. This is where the "fario" or brown trout is bred, which is then released into the Ardennes rivers. The ponds deliver between 8 and 10 tons of fish per year! The water of the ponds comes from the little river "le Marsault", which you can discover during one of the many picturesque walks on the Domain.
The fario trout is used to replenish the fish stock in the rivers and is sold to the fishermen's fund or to fishermen's associations.
Birds, bees and mushrooms
Nature lovers can really live it up in the Domain, bristling with insects, swarming with birds, resounding with forest animals. Bird spotters can enjoy themselves to the fullest, while plant lovers can explore the many mushrooms, herbs and local plants. Or visit the beehive on the estate, near the fish ponds, and learn all about the life of bees in complete safety.
In the fall, Château de Mirwart hosts a guided mushroom hike and dinner. Ask for information. 🍄
In the nearby villages
Holiday House
A stone's throw from the castle, in the village of Mirwart, a small treasure is hidden. A surprising place of adventure or relaxation, vitality or tranquillity. A small, secluded world where you can go out and explore or snugly curl up on the couch. Vacation home Le Grandgousier accommodates 18 people and gives you what you want, when you want it. That sneaky weekend away from all the stress, that long-awaited get-together with the whole family, that much-needed teambuilding with work. Put all your worries aside in this picturesque setting in the stunning Ardennes nature, with a view of the castle. A truly warm welcome awaits you.
www.grandgousier.be
Biking
The neighbourhood of Saint-Hubert is a paradise for cycling enthusiasts. Those who like a little challenge will find plenty of that on one of the many mountain bike trails. Or was your heart set on some easy family cruising? No problem, there are loads of cycling routes for you too. You want to ride your bicycle? Mirwart and surroundings is the place to be.
https://www.foretdesainthubert-tourisme.be/se-promener/a-velo-vtt/
Local Products
The area around Mirwart is rich in local products; locally cultivated, harvested or manufactured. Go visit the donkey farm for authentic products made of donkey milk, or for a guided donkey ride. Drop by at the ostrich farm, where you can not only admire the animals, but also eat ostrich on the spit. Or pop into one of the many local stores for a variety of delicious cheeses and sausages. There’s something for everyone!
The forest of Saint-Hubert
With more than 1500 kilometer of signposted walks, the forest of Saint-Hubert is a place you keep coming back to. It is a universe of deer and legends, a destination not to be missed for those who love nature vacations. The Great Forest of Saint-Hubert stretches over 100,000 ha, more than half of which is woodland. It has foothills in over 10 municipalities: Daverdisse, Wellin, Tellin, Libin, Libramont-Chevigny, Saint-Hubert, Tenneville, Nassogne, Sainte-Ode and Bertogne.
www.lagrandeforetdesainthubert.be
The Saint-Hubert wild park
Take a closer look at the Ardennes’ fauna and flora. Just 2 km from the city centre, and in a beautiful wooded area, deer, wild boars, roe deer, goats, chickens, pheasants and other animals from the forest wait to be admired. Approach the deer up to 10 meter and watch the cubs hopping after their mother. A didactic room and a covered barbecue area next to the park offer ample educational and recreational opportunities. Let your children feel on top of the world in the cosy playground, while you just sit back and relax. Restaurant and cafeteria accessible. Sounds tempting, right?
Basilica of Saint-Hubert
The basilica of Saint-Hubert is located right next to the buildings of the former abbey, of which it used to be a part. It took its present form between 1064 and 1700 and combines a Gothic interior with a Baroque façade. The church, which became a basilica in 1927, is largely dedicated to the veneration of Saint Hubert. It contains a number of art works consecrated to him, including paintings, the choir stalls, a 17-metre high altar and the tomb of Saint Hubert donated by the Belgian King Leopold I. The saint's stole, which was removed from his coffin by the monks in the 9th century, is also on display. The body of the saint has been missing for centuries, believers and archaeologists are still searching for it.
www.basiliquesainthubert.be
Abbey complex of Saint-Hubert
The Benedictine abbey of Saint-Hubert was founded in 687 and was destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries. The buildings that can be visited today have been reconstructed in their original place. The abbot's palace dates back to 1729 and is worth a visit both inside and outside. It was built under the prelate of Abbot Célestin De Jong, who wanted to give the abbey unprecedented glory and used the palace as a reception area for important guests. In 1797, in the aftermath of the French Revolution, the last monks left the abbey, which then ceased to exist,.
Fourneau Saint-Michel
The Provincial Domain of Fourneau Saint-Michel consists of two equally impressive parts: the iron museum and the open-air museum.
At the beginning of the 18th century, the abbey of Saint-Hubert was in desperate need of money. To solve that problem, the abbot of the time decided to build an iron foundry and a blast furnace. It’s the only 18th-century blast furnace in Belgium that can still be visited at its original location. Together with the blacksmith's workshops, it is definitely worth a call.
The adjacent open-air museum contains about fifty 19th-century farms. It gives an authentic picture of a farming community of yesteryear, complete with bread oven, school and printing press. A highlight for young and old!
Redouté museum
Pierre-Joseph Redouté was a painter-botanist, born in Saint-Hubert on July 10, 1759. He became best known for his paintings of flowers in the garden of Malmaison, the palace of Napoleon and his wife Josephine. Earlier he was also the official court artist of Marie-Antoinette.
Besides being a painter in the tradition of Flemish and Dutch masters such as Jan Brueghel the Elder, Rachel Ruysch, Jan van Huysum and Jan Davidsz. de Heem, Redouté was also important for science. He made more than 2,100 drawings of 1,800 different species of plants, a large number of which were unknown until that time.
Aerodroom of Saint-Hubert
At the beginning of the 1930s, an airport was built on the Saint-Hubert plateau. A flying school was installed and new airplanes were designed. In the following decades, the management of the airport alternated between state and private hands, until 2014. In that year, the associations based at the airport, the city of Saint-Hubert and the Société wallonne des aéroports took over the management together. Gliders, sports planes, helicopters and ULMs... They all take off from Saint-Hubert Aerodrome. In the centre of the airport there is a hotel with restaurant, brasserie and conference room. For those who want to get together in a different setting... If you rather keep both feet on the ground, you can go there for some special sports, like roller skiing.
http://www.sainthubert-airport.com
Bell Foundry of Tellin
Did you know that Belgium used to be internationally known for its high quality clock industry? Belgian bells were ordered from far and wide, renowned for their solidity, beauty and clear sound. The importance of a clock went far beyond its religious function. It set the rhythm of every day and played a leading role as a messenger at important events. Whether it was sounded in case of a fire or as a joyful announcement of a wedding: its presence was of extraordinary importance for centuries.
In the old bell foundry of Causard-Slégers you can see, among other things, the original earthen moulds into which this family company poured its bells for four generations, from 1832 to 1970.
Holiday house Le Grandgousier
The Caves of Han
In the larger area
Euro Space Center, Transinne
If you are in the area, you cannot miss a visit to the completely renovated Euro Space Center. The center is the perfect combination of a science museum and an educational attraction, where you just don't know where to look first. It's the only place in Europe containing a test model of an American Space Shuttle, the Amicitia. A must-see for kids and adults alike.
https://www.eurospacecenter.be/en/
Caves of Han, Han-sur-Lesse
The caves of Han are a system of underground caves formed by the river Lesse. The river runs about 1100 meter deep, which is quite impressive. Already in prehistoric times the caves were known to residents in the area, although they were probably not (or hardly) inhabited. Part of the caves is open to the public. A guide takes you on a 1,5 hour walk through the various 'halls', past impressive stalagmites and stalactites. You are treated on an impressive sound and light show along the way. The tour ends in the Dome Hall, one of the largest underground cavities in Europe.
A real must-see for those who don't mind the 508 ascending and descending stairs on the trail.
https://grotte-de-han.be/en
Redu
In the early 80s of the last century, the village of Redu was virtually extinct. This changed when Noel Anselot, owning a holiday residence in Redu, decided to make the small town a home for second hand books. In the English town of Hay-on-Wye he had witnessed with his own eyes how positively that could turn out. No sooner said than done and the rest is history. Redu is widely known as a village of books, printing and crafts. And with the Mudia, an interactive museum attraction for the whole family, it has yet another trump card to play. Sounding names like Bruegel, Veronese, Klimt, Rodin, Picasso, Modigliani, Kandinsky, Magritte and Warhol are hanging on the wall, waiting to be admired.
https://www.redu-villagedulivre.be/nl/
Celts museum
After a thorough renovation, the Celts Museum will be open to the public again in 2021. Who was that special people leaving a treasure trove of objects and information in our Belgian soil? Let's take a closer look: the Celts lived in our regions from the 8th to the 1st century B.C., in what we today call Protohistory, the era after Prehistory. They spread over large parts of Europe, including the Belgian Ardennes. Come and discover their secrets in this extraordinary museum and, just for a moment, feel like Ambiorix.
www.muséedesceltes.be