Top 11 Natural Monuments around Belœil

Attention change of regulation, a part of the reserve is forbidden to bicycles. I saw it this morning.

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.

The Harchies Marshes, located in Wallonia, have a rich and eventful history. In the 18th century, the Haine Valley was bordered by wet and marshy meadows, but no body of water existed. Between 1925 and 1930, mining caused subsidence, creating depressions invaded by the water table. In the 1950s, the surface area covered by water increased, promoting exceptional biodiversity. Between 1968 and 1971, the site drained, threatening its ecosystem. From 1973-1974, preservation efforts allowed the marsh to revive. In 1986, the site was recognized as a Ramsar area, highlighting its ecological importance. Today, it covers approximately 550 hectares and is classified as a Special Protection Area. It is home to a wide variety of habitats and more than 250 bird species. It remains a popular birdwatching site for birdwatchers and nature lovers.

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.

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

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

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

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