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The must-sees

  • Washhouses and watering places: At both ends of the village, buildings demonstrate the functions of water in the rural life of the past
  • Tobacco drying kilns: The presence of many witnesses to an activity that has made the Semois rich and famous
  • Lattice Bridge: A bridge of latticed wood crossing the Semois, which is dismantled and reassembled every year during the summer
  • Ancient views of village life: Boards installed in the village with photos of life in the past
  • Interpretive tour: Discovery tour of the village with educational boards (Starting point: Place du village)
  • Semois Valley: A site of great biological interest “Natura 2000”

 

A small heritage linked to water

vue-ancienne-laforet

Leaving Vresse and the bridge over the Semois, Laforêt can be seen behind a canvas of greenery: a small, rustic and wild village, which commands tranquillity. This is undoubtedly due to the legends and mysteries that dot its alleys: from the fountain, the wild hunter, the white lady, the “verbouc” (half-man half-goat) and the “nutons” (ancestral elves) appear at the corner of a path or a bend.

The wide and deep houses are built in schist around the church of St. Agatha. This habitat is covered by large and very special roofs, known as “faisiaux” (slate quarry waste). A typical Ardennes decor completes the whole: low entrances, lucky and protective hearts on the barns, a bull’s eye in shale,  wooden doors and windows frames. Once surrounded by tobacco fields, Laforêt still has drying sheds, a reminder of the region’s wealth. Other witnesses to the organisation of daily life in the past abound: washhouses, watering places and fountains. Below the village, in summer, a woven wooden (lattice) footbridge is thrown over the Semois. It’s the heritage of the tobacco planters who used to reach the fertile farmland along the river without making a detour.

 

Maison du Tourisme du Pays de Bouillon en Ardenne
Quai des Saulx, 12
6830 Bouillon
Tél : +32 (0) 61/ 46 52 11
Site web

Centre touristique et culturel de Vresse-sur-Semois
Rue Albert Raty, 83
5550 Vresse-sur-Semois
Tél : +32 (0) 61/ 29 28 27
Site web

Parc National de la Vallée de la Semois

Site web

Extend your visit to Wallonia on VISITWALLONIA.BE

Visit Wallonia

News

NEW/ Re-edition of the Authenticity brochure

Agenda News

This new edition invites you to explore the 33 villages in Wallonia that have been awarded the label, with 33 walks through the heart of the Beaux Villages, and inspirational sections organised by theme.

  • Mélin
  • Saint-Remy-Geest

Cycling around Mélin-Saint-Remy-Geest-Mélin (33.3 kms)

Agenda

Verken de Mooiste Dorpen van Wallonië en omgeving door te trappen over pastorale paden en betoverende landschappen.

  • Chardeneux
  • Wéris

Discovery walk 2025 - Wéris-Chardeneux (20.6kms)

Agenda

Put on your good shoes and let yourself be guided along the signposted paths to discover sections of the ‘Grand Tour des Plus Beaux Villages de Wallonie par les GR’.

  • Gros-Fays
  • Laforêt
Pont de Claies à Laforêt

Discovery walk 2025 - Laforêt-Gros-Fays (9.5kms)

Agenda

Put on your good shoes and let yourself be guided along the signposted paths to discover sections of the ‘Grand Tour des Plus Beaux Villages de Wallonie par les GR’.

  • Ragnies

NTOUMOS in concert in RAGNIES (Ferme de la Cour - Distillerie de Biercée)

Agenda

Join us in an exceptional setting! On the programme: NToumos Planète Terre in concert, discovery of the Tithe Barn, official launch of the 2025 tourist season in our beautiful Villages!

  • Chardeneux
  • Clermont-sur-Berwinne
  • Crupet
  • Gros-Fays
  • Laforêt
  • Mélin
  • And other villages

Events 2025 in the Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia!

Agenda News

Come and join us for some intense and unforgettable moments in the pure tradition of our beautiful villages!

  • Redu, Lesse & Séchery

𝗟𝗮 𝗡𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝘂 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗿𝗲 à 𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗨

Archives

L'Ardenne à livre ouvert ... Avec des commerces et des artisans ouverts jusque minuit. C'est ce 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶 𝟯 𝗮𝗼𝘂𝘁!

  • Chassepierre

50e Festival International des Arts de la Rue de Chassepierre

Archives

Ces 17 et 18 août, le 50ème Festival International des Arts de la Rue de Chassepierre accueille des artistes du monde entier !

Walks

  • Saint-Remy-Geest

Saint-Remy-Geest : Un trésor en vallée blanche

Totemus

Saint-Remy-Geest, un des Plus Beaux Villages de Wallonie, promène ses blancs éclats le long de ses rues et ruelles. Laissez-vous imprégner par cet environnement installé à flanc de colline.

  • Saint-Remy-Geest

Saint-Remy-Geest : Un trésor au pays blanc

Long hikes

Tout à l’image du village voisin de Mélin, Saint-Remy-Geest promène ses blancs éclats le long de ses rues et ruelles et le temps passé à leurs côtés devient un trésor de plénitude.

  • Gros-Fays
  • Laforêt

Boucle vélo 10: Sur les routes de l’Ardenne entre mystères et légendes

Cycling tour

Trois Beaux Villages vous attendent au court de cette balade au cœur de l'Ardenne profonde : Laforêt, Our et Gros Fays

  • Mélin
  • Saint-Remy-Geest

Boucle vélo 2: Une invitation au voyage aux couleurs du Sud

Cycling tour

Pour paresser en deux roues, rien ne vaut ce petit tour en Hesbaye. Là, pas besoin de pousser fort sur les pédales : cette région faite de bas plateaux présente un relief doux ou légèrement ondulé.

  • Saint-Remy-Geest

Saint-Remy-Geest: in the white country

Short walks

In the image of its neighbour Mélin, Saint-Remy-Geest has a white glow throughout its streets and alleys.

  • Laforêt
laforet

Laforêt: a village of mysteries and legends

Short walks

Laforêt, an Ardennes village in the commune of Vresse-sur-Semois, is situated on the left bank of the Semois.

  • Laforêt

Laforêt: along the Semois river

Long hikes

The aptly named Laforêt is located along the Semois in the heart of the Ardennes woodland.

  • Gros-Fays
  • Laforêt
  • Mirwart
  • Our

Discovery tour: The authenticity of the Belgian Ardennes

Itineraries

This 90-kilometre tour reveals the beauties of 4 beautiful and authentic villages for discovering one of the most emblematic regions of Wallonia.

The shop of the most beautiful villages

The association Les Plus Beaux Villages de Wallonie (The Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia) oversees a network of 32 villages, bearers of a strong territorial identity and reflecting traditional architecture. It is committed to promoting the rural, cultural and natural heritage of Wallonia and is a part of the development of local and responsible tourism.

More information

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