Discover Benelux | Museums Special | Belgium & France Photo: © Pixabay & Arnaud-Ghys
Photo: © B-Carbonneaux
Photo: © L’Écomusée du Viroin & JV-Biron
TREIGNES:
Village of museums and outdoor pursuits TEXT: LORENZA BACINO
Known as the ‘Village des Musées’, Treignes boasts the highest concentration of museums per inhabitant in the world – with a population of around 600, there are five. This pretty village lies in Namur province in the south of Belgium, a stone’s throw from the French border in the stunning Ardenne region of Viroinval. There is something for everyone, including 300 kilometres of walking trails, endless mountain biking options, beautiful valleys and woodlands, lazy boat trips on the river and cosy restaurants.
Le Musée du Petit Format
Everything in this museum is on a small scale. Each item could fit into a suitcase – and frequently does, as a travelling museum, where exhibits can easily be transported into schools to give children fun hands-on workshops. It is about bringing art to the people. The vast permanent collection comprises more than 3,850 sketches, drawings, paintings, photographs and more. 24 | Issue 52 | April 2018
L’Écomusée du Viroin Plunge into the atmosphere of rural life at the Chateau de Treignes, Ecomuseum. This space showcases the social and cultural changes to rural village life from the 18th to 20th centuries. Find out how wooden clogs were made or how longlost crafts such as tanning, shoemaking and forestry contributed to creating wealth for the region.
Le Musée du Malgré-Tout
Local archaeological remains from Neanderthal man to the end of the RomanGallic period are displayed and tents in the grounds of the museum use reconstructions to show how people used to live. Children can enjoy the interactive handson experiences and workshops can be organised for groups, including: fire before the era of matches, painting in prehistoric or medieval times, and learning how prehistoric man used bows and arrows.
signed to take you on a tour of 1930s life in the Ardennes. One building houses the café, Chez Toine, where visitors can sample delicious local delicacies. Another building has been reconstructed to show the unforgiving atmosphere of local school life, or ‘L’École d’Autrefois’. Visitors can experience a 1930s school day – complete with plume and ink and a stick-wielding teacher.
Le Musée du Chemin de Fer a Vapeur des Trois Vallées
Travel back in time to the age of steam at the Railway Museum. Great for all the family, with a fantastic array of beautifully preserved locomotives from the 1950s. Climb aboard a working train to experience train travel from a bygone era. Visitors can choose from a variety of experiences including specially designed school trips, corporate events, or tour groups.
L’Espace Arthur Masson
The Espace Arthur Masson is made up of three former school buildings – all de-
Web: www.treignes.info