Discover Houffalize

Historic traces in Houffalize

Remains of the walls and corner towers of the second fortress of the Lords of Houffalize have been preserved. Describing it as the second fortress places these wall remains in the history of the former lordship. Another point of interest is the Henri Sebald monument: it stands on Place de la Gare, at the intersection of Rue Moulin Lemaire and Rue Porte à l’Eau, in a square specially laid out for it.

The municipal cemetery of Houffalize on Rue de Liège is also connected with Henri Sebald. A single French military grave for him is located there. Sebald is described as a brigadier in the 23e Dragons and died for France on 8 August 1914. The monument and the grave offer two distinct historical points of reference bearing the same name.

Along the Ourthe on Rue du Moulin Lemaire, remains of the Moulin and Tannerie Lemaire have been preserved. Other points of reference for local history include a lectern eagle, made in 1370 by the Dinant goldsmiths’ school and located in a building in Houffalize, and a former chapel of the Augustinian priory, founded in 1235. The lectern and chapel represent different aspects of local history from the fortress remains and memorial sites.

Compare trails and distances

Houffalize has 13 walking trails ranging from 5 to 12 kilometres in length. They start at Place Janvier 45, in front of the tourist office. One specific route is the walking trail to Chapelle Notre-Dame de Forêt, signposted as Route No. 3. It is 7.5 kilometres long and starts at R.S.I. Houffalize on Place de Janvier 45.

The lengths of the individual walking trails give you a range to help plan your walks; Route No. 3, at 7.5 kilometres, is a specific example within that range. On the RAVeL near Houffalize, you can choose sections ranging from 10 to 27 kilometres. The distance ranges overlap between 10 and 12 kilometres, while the RAVeL sections extend up to 27 kilometres. This allows you to compare the options according to your planned distance.

The legends trail also starts at the Houffalize tourist office. Visitors can get a free audio guide there for the walk. This is another route that leads from a specific starting point to stories; the trail to Chapelle Notre-Dame de Forêt, by contrast, focuses on a named chapel, route number and distance.

Landscapes, legends and experiences

From Colline Saint-Roch, one of the highest points in the region, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the landscape. A different impression of the terrain comes from the deeply cut valley where the Ourthe meets the Ru de Cowan. Wooded slopes and steep meadows define the valley. The viewpoint and the valley description thus offer two different perspectives on the Houffalize landscape.

Trou des Nutons is linked to a local legend: dwarves are said to have lived in the cave and repaired the shoes of Houffalize residents at night. The story can be considered a cultural point of interest in its own right, alongside the historic buildings and memorial sites. Houtopia, in turn, is a leisure and educational centre and a place to discover the five senses.

For a mountain biking activity, a family-friendly off-road circuit starts in Houffalize and leads to the villages of Cowan and Tavigny. Together with the walking trails, the legends trail and the RAVeL sections, it offers a selection of routes and distances to help plan your stay.

Discover more destinations: Tailles, Manhay, Vaux-Chavanne, Geilich, La Roche-En-Ardenne, Vielsalm, Dochamps, Grandmenil.

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