Our properties in the Famenne

The Famenne owes its caves to the Calestienne, a narrow strip of limestone along the southern edge of the region. Limestone dissolves slowly in water, and so, over thousands of years, the Lesse carved out an entire underground network. At Han-sur-Lesse, the river disappears at the Trou de Belvaux and only re-emerges kilometres further on, after a journey through chambers full of stalactites and stalagmites. It is one of the finest cave complexes in Europe.

Besides Han, Rochefort also has its cave, the Grotte de Lorette, with an impressive central chamber where demonstrations using hot air are given regularly. The underground world, however, is only one side of the story. On the surface, the same limestone gives rise to the rare pelouses calcaires, dry limestone grasslands full of orchids and butterflies, which are among the richest nature in Belgium.

For some years now, the whole region has been recognised as the Famenne-Ardenne UNESCO Global Geopark. This label protects and opens up the remarkable geological heritage, from the caves and the Calestienne to the transition between the low Famenne and the high Ardennes. Visitor centres, guided walks and theme routes help you discover the story of rock and water for yourself.

The castle of Lavaux-Sainte-Anne is the most photogenic building in the Famenne. It is a true moated castle, with thick round towers that reflect in the surrounding moat and meadows. Inside, three museums tell of the hunting past, the nature of the region and everyday life in times gone by. All around run footpaths through the damp meadows where storks and herons forage.

The villages of the Famenne are built from a mix of limestone and red brick, which gives them a warmer look than the austere bluestone of the Condroz. Many farmhouses have been converted into spacious holiday homes with a garden and a view over the fields. In and around the villages you will find farm shops selling regional produce: cheese, cured meats, craft beer and, in season, game.

No visit to the Famenne is complete without a Trappist from Rochefort. The monks of the abbey of Saint-Rémy brew their dark, powerful beers there, which you will find on the menu of almost every café in the region. Combine a cave visit or a walk with a spell on a terrace and a local beer, and you taste the Famenne at its best.

The Famenne can be visited all year round, but the caves and the countryside are at their best from spring to autumn. In summer, the Han estate is at its busiest, so anyone seeking quiet does better to come in May, June or September. Autumn colours the woods and puts game and beer cooking in the spotlight, while the caves keep a constant temperature inside all year round.

The region is easy to reach. The E411 motorway between Brussels and Luxembourg has exits at Rochefort and Marche-en-Famenne, and the N4 regional road crosses the area. Jemelle, right by Rochefort, and Marche both have a railway station, which makes the Famenne reachable without a car too. From Brussels or Namur it is about an hour to an hour and a half's drive.

Anyone staying a week in the Famenne has plenty of time to discover the region and its neighbours. A day for the caves of Han, a day for Rochefort and the abbey, a day for Marche and Lavaux-Sainte-Anne, and still time left for a trip to Dinant, the Condroz or the high Ardennes. With your quiet holiday home as a base, you combine nature, heritage and family fun without having to drive far.