Description
In 1977, when the communes merged, Beauraing was chosen as the chief town. The city of Beauraing as well as the following villages and hamlets are part of this municipality: Baronville, Dion, Felenne, Feschaux, Focant-Gozin, Froidfontaine, Honnay-Revogne, Javingue-Sevry, Martouzin-Neuville, Pondrôme, Vonêche, Wancennes, Wiesme and Winenne. The territory of Beauraing covers 174.55 km2, which is the 7th largest municipality in Belgium, and has 9,000 inhabitants.
The lime kiln
The purpose of the Beauraing kilns was to burn limestone in order to obtain lime. At the time, this material was used for plastering, disinfecting stables and in the steel industry. The lime kilns in Beauraing are mentioned as early as the 16th century, but it was in 1857, at the request of the Duke of Osuna, that the industrialisation of lime kilns began. To operate them, coal was imported from Charleroi, until 1958, when production ended.
Anecdote : Today, the buildings house a fruit and vegetable shop called “Le four à Chaux”.
The tanneries
In total, there were 8 official tanneries, in addition to the small workshops of saddlers, shoemakers,… who tanned to ensure their trade. The tanneries located in our regions required water, raw materials, oak bark and hides. They were located in the outskirts of towns and villages because of their strong nuisance.
Shortly after the Second World War, the tanneries experienced major difficulties due to international competition.
Good to know: At number 22 of the Faubourg St-Martin, a tall chimney can still be clearly seen, which was used to draw the steam engines of the Deltombe, then Nicaisse, then Longly and finally Blondiaux tannery. In 2003, the Pôle beaurinois bought the premises and implemented a major conversion programme (2004-2005) with the support of Europe and Wallonia.
De kerk
This church, dedicated to Saint Martin, was built in 1862.
The war memorial
This monument was built to honour the dead of the two world wars.
The brook of the city of Beauraing
The Biran is a Belgian stream, a left bank tributary of the Lesse. It is part of the Meuse watershed. It is located entirely in the province of Namur.
Good to know: This river inspired one of Beauraing’s restaurateurs, whose establishment is called “La Brasserie du Biran”.
The farm of la Campagne
This micro-farm is located in the heart of Beauraing. The owner, Valériane Vilim, markets her cheese products, made in her cheese dairy and local products in the farm shop, and also in short circuits via other grocery shops in Wallonia. Do you want to learn how to make cheese? Contact Valériane!
See the itinerary – lacampagne.be
The farm of the de Way
This farm breeds Blanc-Bleu-Belge, Coq des Prés organic chickens and Bleu du Maine sheep. It sells and delivers meat packages. Its production is local and family farming. Do you want to visit the farm? It is possible!
See the itinerary – lafermedeway.be
The workshop l’As de Pique
Mara Seny has her own workshop, l’As de Pique, where she specialises in the repair and fitting of old cars.
See the itinerary – asdepique.net
For more visits in the city of Beauraing :
Photos
