The best road cycling routes around Écouviez

Magnificent fresco inspired by Jean-Claude Servais

My heart's Gaume. All my youth in Gaume.

Very pretty viewpoint, right next to the ruins of Montquintin Castle. Small benches for a pleasant break. Accessible to people with reduced mobility.

The Virton Tourist Information Office welcomes you to the heart of the Gaume region and invites you to discover this charming town in the province of Luxembourg. You can find them at the following address: Rue des Grasses Oies, 2b, Virton. Please note: closed on Sundays and Mondays. Open other days from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

In 1969, the city of Virton commissioned Ernest Bernardy for a mosaic on a public building. Bernardy incorporated, from left to right, Djean d’Mâdy (the violinist in the tree); the four fairies from the Trou des Fées, a cave formation near Croix-Rouge, north of Virton; and Monseigneur de Hontheim, Bishop of Trier, who died in 1790 at the Château de Montquintin near Rouvroy. In his time, he was known for his (overly) progressive ideas, which he published as a humanist under the name Febronius. To his right, in front of him, is the White Lady of Montauban, and on the far right, the Four Sons of Aymon, who play a role here because their castle is said to have stood near Buzenol, while their abandoned treasure is guarded by the White Lady. The orange sun on the right of the mosaic is counterbalanced by the yellow moon to the left of the bishop's miter. (Stapperloot)

The recently renovated Place Nestor Outer gives the centre of Virton a new look with its arch and completely car-free esplanade.

Under the NATO agreements, the air forces across the Atlantic established strategic bases in Europe, including Marville, in the Meuse department (France). In 1955, Virton, like Florenville and Longuyon in France, welcomed hundreds of Canadian military pilots from the 1st Wing seeking refuge for themselves and their families. The Canadian period was deeply affecting the lives of the residents of Virton, and such strong bonds of friendship were forged that a celebration was organized for their departure on March 11, 1967. The totem from Canada that they presented to Virton and Longuyon in France was a special sign of recognition and gratitude for the excellent way in which the residents had welcomed the Canadians. This gesture has special significance, as totems held a deeper meaning among Native Americans. In 1992, the original totem, which had been severely damaged, was recreated identically by Claude Goffinet and inaugurated on October 30th. (Visit Wallonia)

Over a period of 22 years, from 1926 to 1948, a completely new abbey was built based on a design by architect Henri Vaes. This was primarily the work of Ghent native Albert-Marie Van der Cruyssen, who became the first abbot in 1936. On August 20, 1929, the foundation stone was laid in the presence of Prince Leopold and Cardinal Van Roey. The new abbey was completed in 1948. On June 5, 1939, the abbey church was consecrated and elevated to Basilica Minor by Pope Pius XII. On September 8, 1948, the abbey church and the completed cloister were solemnly consecrated by Cardinal Micara, who served as Apostolic Nuncio to Belgium from 1923 to 1946 and subsequently became Prefect of the Congregation for Rites. To finance the major construction projects, which by then had already cost tens of millions of Belgian francs, various fundraising activities were initiated. For example, special postage stamps with a surcharge were issued by the Belgian government. The cheese factory (1931) and the brewery (1932) were established to generate the necessary funds, and laypeople were employed from the outset. After the construction work was completed, these proceeds were used for social and charitable purposes. (Wikipedia)