Doische : Découverte des incontournables

Located between the village of Gochenée and the Meuse River, the Hermeton Valley is a pristine valley, free of roads and human construction. A true immersion in nature awaits you! The site is classified as a Natura 2000 area and is home to endangered species, such as otters and hazel grouse, a species of bird with speckled plumage.

In Matagne-la-Petite, a 23-are agroforestry site includes an orchard, hedgerows and fruit trees, as well as permaculture strips and a greenhouse. It plays a significant role in raising awareness and employs people undergoing social and professional reintegration.

Still in Matagne-la-Petite, the Saint Hilaire chapel dates from the 11th century! It is surrounded by a cemetery and about seventy small-leaved lime trees, and has a spring visited by pilgrims, believed to cure rheumatism.

Doische is well known for its many butterfly meadows: areas developed within the municipality of Doische have allowed for the rescue of a butterfly that has become extremely rare in our region: the Marsh Fritillary. Perhaps you will spot one during a walk?

Near Niverlée, one of the villages of Doische, the small pond of Grand Bu is great in its diversity: the kingfisher is very often observed there, and sometimes the crested newt.

Located at the foot of the Croix Scaille mountain range in Gedinne, the Moulin equestrian center offers high-quality facilities. The club provides lessons for riders from age 6 and up, regardless of their skill level. You can also choose a one-hour ride or embark on a multi-day adventure. The club also offers carriage driving, endurance riding, and boarding for your horse or pony.

The Altitude sport climbing centre offers several climbing walls as well as an adventure course accessible to all levels.

The rolling hills of Doische are ideal for trail running and mountain biking. Several marked routes, of varying distances and difficulties, allow everyone to find their own pace and enjoy the diverse landscapes of the region.

The Vodelée Quarry, a former red marble quarry, has become a 40-meter-deep diving site. There, you can explore unusual seabeds: a sailboat wreck here, a tank wreck there… And let's not forget its inhabitants: carp, sturgeon, catfish…

Doische is not lacking in culinary delights!

In the morning, we headed to the Carmel bakery, which produces bread, baguettes, and delicious cakes. A great way to start the day!

Censier Farm sells eggs and lamb, as well as many other local products. The farm also specializes in breeding border collies, dogs very useful for herding livestock. Further along, Crestia Farm offers butchery and artisanal ice cream.

Les Cocottes bio in Vodelée produces goat cheese, as well as gourmet food products. You can find their products directly in their farm shop, where you can also enjoy them on the terrace.

Coffee roasted in Belgium? That's what Cafés Grand Bu, created by two enthusiasts, Loïc and Maxime, do. Harar, Sidamo, Limu, Lekempti… These are just a few of the enchantingly named varieties you'll find there. You can also participate in a workshop to create your own coffee blend.

Brasserie des Eaux Vives caters to craft beer enthusiasts. Housed in a beautifully restored old barn, they brew beers using local hops – a rarity in Belgium – and other regional ingredients. Beers like Rose des Ruisseaux, Dame Bibiche, and Monsieur Mouche await you for a tasting. The brewery also offers malted jellies to complement your cheeses and charcuterie. Brewery tours are available.

The Malonsart Farm, taken over by François and Marie Henry-Dewandre 15 years ago, is home to 200 Belgian Blue cows. They produce milk, butter, and, most notably, the famous Boulette de Romedenne, a cheese used as the base for Flamiche de Dinant, a local cheese specialty. The farm has been certified organic since 2013. Products are available for purchase on-site.

Henry Lathuraz Farm, a family farm, raises dairy cows and Belgian Blue cattle. There you will find artisanal cheeses and ice creams, such as "Pernocy", "Le Bob", "La Petite Fleur", and "Le Gouluh".

Hop cultivation is not widespread in our region, but it is this plant that is produced by Les Houblonnières de Vodelée and used in well-known beers such as Orval, Chimay, and also the beers from Brasserie des Eaux Vives.

In Gochenée, a couple took a bold step: opening a vineyard, half Pinot Noir, half Chardonnay, using biodynamic principles. It's called Vignolbe de Doriémont! Guided tours with tastings are regularly organized there.

Eric Bossar aims to make Doische the tomato capital! He produces several old varieties of tomatoes, and is the initiator of the Doische tomato festival.

Soulme , one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia, sits atop a peaceful hill. It transports you to a village of yesteryear where time seems to have stood still: some fifty typical Fagne houses huddle together around an 11th-century church. Soulme is the starting point for numerous walks, particularly in the Hermeton Valley, whose landscapes are breathtaking.

Housed in a former early 20th-century power station, the Malgré-Tout Museum boasts a vast collection dedicated to prehistory and antiquity in the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse region. You can also admire life-size reconstructions of hunter-gatherer dwellings and three remarkable Gallo-Roman villas.

The Ecomusée du Viroin showcases rural life in the Ardennes from the 18th to the 20th century. Agricultural machinery, period furniture, traditional costumes… This immersive experience will make you an expert on the subject!

If you wish to delve deeper into Walloon and Ardennes culture, visit Espace Arthur Masson, the Walloon “Pagnol”, for an immersive experience in a 1930s school, or an interactive show-tour in the Ardennes from the 1930s to the 1960s.

Doische is adorned with light and mystery during two unmissable events:

The weekend of May 31 and June 1 is the weekend of open churches: an opportunity to discover the local religious heritage, often overlooked, and to discover architectural treasures.

Around August 16th, it's the night of the stars. With or without a telescope, with or without a blanket, this evening of observation will reconnect you with the universe!

Agimont Adventure combines history and adventure by offering paintball games within an old medieval castle. This makes the experience even more immersive!

Doische isn't just a place to visit; it's an experience. Nestled at the crossroads of Belgium and France, its soul is expressed through an abundance of local produce: coffee, wine, organic and regional products… You'll find your gastronomic bliss here! In this unspoiled corner of the Ardennes, every turn in the path hides a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.