Resteigne on the Lesse: Nature and Culture

Resteigne lies on the Lesse and combines river landscapes, limestone-rich nature and remarkable evidence of the village’s history. Those planning a trip with a variety of activities for different days will find opportunities here for hiking, exploring the landscape and discovering cultural and historical sites. A holiday apartment in Resteigne can serve as a base for planning a trip that takes in not just one experience, but the different sides of the village.

Landscape between the Lesse, forests and limestone

The Pairées nature reserve stretches between Resteigne and Belvaux. It is characterised by dry heathland with juniper trees, typical of the Calestienne landscape. Pairées Ouest is also classified as a Site de Grand Intérêt Biologique. This landscape therefore offers nature enthusiasts a particular focus during their stay.

Opposite the Château de Resteigne, on the right bank of the Lesse, lies the disused Carrière de la Lesse. Stratigraphic outcrops of the Lower Givetian can be seen there, including the Trois Fontaines and Terres d’Haurs formations. The former quarry’s special ecological conditions favour pioneer flora and fauna, including Sphingonotus caerulan. Dry-les-Miens complements this natural setting as a partly grass-covered, partly wooded habitat on calcareous soil, where remarkable flowering plants can be found.

Hikes with different focuses

For a longer tour, the Parcours de la Bataille de Bure covers around 16 km. It traces the significant events of December 1944 using ten educational panels between Resteigne and Grupont, beginning in Resteigne near the road to Chanly. Those wishing to include this historical trail in their plans can focus on a combination of landscape and remembrance culture. The trail also leads towards Grupont, another place in the surrounding area.

The hike A la rencontre de l'ermite de Resteigne runs between Resteigne and Belvaux through the Lesse Valley and the Bois de Niau. Devonian limestone is the main focus. The history of the hermitage becomes tangible through its builder, Edmond d’Hoffschmidt: he built it in the Bois de Niau and withdrew there into solitude for almost 15 years. The approximately 3.4 km-long Promenade du Moulin et du Bru offers shorter highlights. The Promenade du Gué du Ry de Glaumont follows a forest path through the hollow of the Ry de Glaumont.

Historic buildings and places by the water

The Château de Resteigne is located near the bridge over the Lesse. It is a private, square 18th-century building that was extended by a farm. The private Moulin de Resteigne is also part of the history of the river landscape: the watermill, powered by the Lesse, dates from the 18th century and retains part of its half-timbered wall.

The Notre-Dame church in Resteigne was built of stone in 1870–1871 and has three naves. In 1909, it was consecrated by Thomas-Louis Heylen, Bishop of Namur. South of the village, the remains of Marchimont lie in the forest, a hidden archaeological site between the Ry de Glaumont and the Ry Passe brebis. They are the remains of a medieval village.

It is therefore worth deciding in advance what pace you would like for your trip when choosing your accommodation: you may wish to focus on longer cultural and historical trails, observing nature in the Calestienne, or shorter walks along the Lesse. At the Passerelle du moulin de Resteigne, there is a picnic area by the water along the marked TL16 trail. The Promenade des bords de Lesse begins at the Château de Resteigne and follows the banks of the Lesse to the former stone quarry. This allows you to combine your search for a holiday apartment with the experiences that matter most to you during your time in Resteigne.

For the overarching travel overview: Tellin.