The little town of Saint-Hubert, which is visited by many pilgrims, lies in the center of the Ardennes amid a wooded region full of game. According to legend Prince Hubert of Aquitaine was hunting in the surrounding forests in 683 when he saw a stag with a shining cross between its antlers, and a voice demanding that he dress as a priest and take up missionary work. Hubert became the first Bishop of Liège after he had renounced the bishopric of Tongeren on the Meuse. He died in 727 in Tervuren and his remains were brought in 825 to Andage which from that day was called Saint-Hubert.
The painter and botanist Pierre-Joseph Redouté was born in Saint-Hubert in 1759.
Only 2km/1.25miles to the north of Saint-Hubert on the road to Fourneau Saint-Michel we come to a 15ha/37 acre game park (Parc à gibier) which is attractive for walking. In the woods, there are live stags, deer, moufflon and wild boar.
Address: Saint-Hubert Wildlife Park, Rue Saint-Michel, B-6870 Saint-Hubert, Belgium
A full sized model of the European space glider can be seen from the highway near the Euro Space Center in Transinne. Here all information about space travel, space science and the training of astronauts is available and there are models of various space vehicles.
Address: Euro Space Center, Rue Devant Les Hetres 1, B-6890 Transinne, Belgium
The first Sunday in September is the International Day of Hunting which is marked by the traditional hunters' mass at 11 o'clock and a historical procession.
On leaving the church the imposing buildings of the former Benedictine abbey, which was rebuilt in 1729, can be seen on the right. They are now used for art exhibitions. Opposite in the square is the local tourist bureau.
The village of Redu, about 18km/11miles west of Saint-Hubert on the far side of the A4, is a mecca for bibliophiles. In 1984 a collector and a journalist set up the only book village on the continent of Europe in accordance with the predecessor at Hay-on-Wye in Wales. Nearly 30 antiquarians as well as bookbinders, a cooper and craftsmen offer their services. The books are chiefly of French literature and often quantity rather than quality prevails. The shops are open from Mar.-Dec. from time to time; at Easter a large bookmarket is held.
Redu is also the home of a satellite communications base.
As the place of pilgrimage for the patron saint of huntsmen Saint-Hubert has several processions in the time around Easter. On the Monday before Easter a procession of hunters, which had its origin in 1720 in Lendersdorf in the Eifel, enters the town.
The church of Saint-Gilles-au-Pré was built in the 11th C. and the four-cornered tower of the sanctuary still remains from this period. The choir and the ceiling date from 1567. After the Second World War the church was massively restored. On the high altar stands the figure of the saint who is accompanied by his hind.
The complex of St-Michel's Industrial Museum includes an 18th C. blast furnace, cast iron tools, a rebuilt country village and the forest of Ardennes.
The Musée du Fer is concerned with the former monastery smithy of Fourneau Saint-Michel of the 18th century which was founded by Nicolas Spirlet, the last abbot of Saint-Hubert. Several buildings house tools, examples of forging, the smithy, the stove and the foundry. Adjoining are the exhibitions of rural architecture, the Museum of the Ardennes Forest and the Museum P. J. Redouté which is devoted to the life and works of the botanist.
Address: St Michel's Furnace Industrial Museum, B-6870 Saint Hubert, Belgium
Hours:
March 1 to June 30: 9:30am-5pm; Closed: Mon
July 1 to August 31: 9:30am-5:30pm; Closed: Mon
September 1 to November 30: 9:30am-5pm; Closed: Mon, Mon
Read More
Basilica of Saint-Hubert
Read Less
Read More
Chateau de Mirwart, Belgium
