Souterrains

Wallonia


Between 1659 and 1815 Philippeville was an ultra-fortified enclave of France, completely encircled within the Holy Roman (and later Habsburg) Empire. At the eastern end of the main square, the tourist office organises fascinating 90-minute guided walks through sections of the fort’s subterranean passageways, the souterrains, of which more than 10km remains. Call ahead to reserve a spot.

The walks start with a useful introductory video and culminate at little Chapelle des Remparts, a unique chapel fashioned from the citadel's former gunpowder store.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Wallonia attractions

1. Chapelle des Remparts

0.24 MILES

The squat little Chapelle des Remparts is not immediately attractive, but it's remarkable for its super-thick walls, having been fashioned from the former…

2. Les Jardins d'O

8.34 MILES

Nismes' pride and joy is its lovely park with grassy lawns, tree-shaded paths and a scenic pond where you can hire boats. There's ample amusement for…

3. Le Bois du Cazier

13.52 MILES

This sizeable complex occupies a mine site where a horrific accident killed 262 miners in 1956. A gripping multilingual video commemorates that; admission…

4. Distillerie de Biercée

13.62 MILES

Around 6km south of Thuin, the Distillerie de Biercée is a great opportunity to see inside one of Wallonia's classic fortified-farm complexes. This one is…

5. Bunker d'Hitler 1940

13.93 MILES

For 22 days in 1940 the Nazi leader commanded Western Front operations from forest here, 8km south of Couvin. The chalet where he lived has been…

6. Château de Chimay

14.43 MILES

Off the Grand Place, a stone archway leads to this 15th-century castle, which has been much damaged, altered and renovated over the years. It's the…

7. Musée de la Photographie

14.61 MILES

One of Europe’s biggest and most impressive photography museums, it has an engrossing collection of historic, contemporary and artistic prints. Don’t miss…

8. Abbaye d’Aulne

14.99 MILES

With origins in the 7th century, but destroyed post–French Revolution in 1794, this atmospheric monastery is a mixture of picturesque ruins, surviving…