The ‘village of museums’ offers you a journey through time, set against a backdrop of calcareous hills with astonishing biodiversity. Through a variety of activities and remarkable landscapes, discover authentic traditions such as agropastoralism, restored to its former glory by the National Park's roaming herd.

YOUR STARTING POINT

Écomusée du Viroin

Located in the Treignes farm castle, the Écomuséeinvites you to relive the rural past of the valley and explore its local rural history. Through exhibitions, camps, research, and activities, the team maintains the link with this precious heritage. They can also provide information about the National Park and nearby walks.

Address: Rue Eugène Defraire 63, 5670 Viroinval. Info and contact: www.ecomusee-du-viroin.be/en

ACCESSIBILITY

Bus: TEC 60/3. Stop: Treignes Église.

Steam railway (1km): during the season, during school holidays. From Mariembourg (NMBS/SNCB-station) – more info: https://cfv3v.eu/en/.

YOUR ACTIVITIES

WALKS

In the shepherd’s footsteps

Leaving the Écomusée, turn right onto Rue Eugène Defraire. After 50 metres, take the small street on the right, following the signs Trou Maillard and Les Rivelottes. Then follow the yellow rectangle markings (Les Rivelottes). At the crossroads, turn left and, once you reach the top of the hill, take the Compostela trail on your right. Follow the green rectangular markings (Les Carrières) to return to the village. Along the way, enjoy the remarkable view from the heights.

4,5 km. Walking: good level, uneven terrain. Hiking shoes recommended.

OUR PROJECT

The return of pastoral grazing in the Calestienne

The Calestienne with its calcareous hills (‘tiennes’ in French) stretches from east to west through the National Park. With their rare orchids and endemic biodiversity, the calcareous grasslands represent a unique heritage rooted in ancient pastoral traditions. To preserve this treasure, the National Park is forming a herd of sheep that will roam through the Calestienne, accompanied by shepherds and dogs.

By 2041, the Calestienne will form a connected ecological network.

DID YOU KNOW?

Herding dog or guardian dog?

The herd of the National Park ESEM will be guided by our shepherdess Lise and her dog Zana. A herding dog knows the sheep and knows how to guide them. This dog differs from guarding dogs, which are larger and defend the herd against predators. Guardian dogs are raised with the sheep and consider them their ‘sisters’. So there are ‘human-like’ dogs and ‘sheep-like’ dogs!

LIFE & HABITATS

You may encounter

  • The lizard orchid ©W. Mélis
  • The blue-winged grasshopper
  • The steam train ©I. Eerens
  • Sheep 6705
  • The workshops of the Écomusée ©Ecomusée
  • The Gallo-Roman villa

Nearby

The village of museums

Treignes has earned its nickname, as this village has the highest ratio of museums to inhabitants in the world, with four museums for 600 residents. Visit the Écomusée du Viroin, the Musée du Malgré-Tout, the Musée du Chemin de Fer à Vapeur des 3 Vallées and the Espace Arthur Masson. Ideal for understanding and reliving the region's rich cultural and artisanal past.

©D. Hubaut

3 valleys steam railway

For over fifty years, the3 valleys steam railway has been offering the public an exclusive journey aboard a historic train running between Mariembourg (accessible via the NMBS/SNCB network) and Treignes – the final stop on the line. Travel back in time aboard this unique train, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes.

©D. Maas

Viroinval Tourist Office (10 km)

Viroinval owns its reputation to its dynamic tourist office in Nismes. Here, you will receive tips for the most beautiful hikes in the region. From the centre of Nismes, you can easily reach two legendary sites - the Fondry des Chiens (1.5 km) and the Roche à Lomme (2 km) - as well as the Fondry Matricolo (300 m). Enjoy the extraordinary landscapes!