Awenne: Fountains, Clogmaking History and Saint-Martin

Awenne tells the story of the village through a range of traces: Saint-Martin Church, eight historic fountains, the Grotte Notre-Dame de Lourdes and the Circuit des Sabotiers. Together, these themes span church art and religious heritage through to the former craft of clogmaking. If you are looking for a holiday rental, these features can help you decide whether Awenne suits the cultural focus of your trip.

Saint-Martin: Building History and Altar

Saint-Martin Church was rebuilt in 1882, replacing a building dating from the late 18th century. Its high altar was listed as a historic monument on 9 July 1993. The church’s furnishings also include an altar dedicated to Saint Sebastian, made of Rochefort marble by Guillaume Evrard around 1750. These dates represent different aspects of the church’s history: the Sebastian altar was created about a century and a half before the rebuilding, while the high altar’s heritage listing marks a distinct and much later milestone. The church therefore cannot be reduced to a single period of origin; its building history and artwork bring together different historical layers.

The Fountains of Awenne

The fountains express the village’s history in a different way. The installation of eight fountains in Awenne was completed in 1860. The characteristic wrought-iron fountains were installed in the 19th century after numerous severe fires. Their basins are made of cast iron and measure 165 centimetres in diameter and 70 centimetres in depth. Their number, materials and dimensions give the subject concrete form, while the connection to the fires adds the historical context. Alongside the church’s history, they tell a story of the village that can be traced through recurring, purpose-built structures.

Rock Grotto on the Linçon

The Grotte Notre-Dame de Lourdes offers a different perspective: it was carved into a rock on the banks of the Linçon and consecrated on 7 August 1911. Here, a specific riverside location is linked with religious significance. Unlike the fountains, whose story can be understood through their number, materials and installation date, the grotto’s rock setting and year of consecration shape how visitors see Awenne’s cultural heritage. Those interested in religious history will find another distinct way to explore the village here.

Clogmaking and the Circuit des Sabotiers

The Circuit des Sabotiers starts in Awenne and leads through the lanes to former clogmakers’ workshops. The route brings the craft’s past to life at specific stops along the way. In the mid-19th century, Awenne became a centre of a dynamic and prosperous clogmaking industry which, according to tradition, achieved international renown. The route connects this craft history with the lanes and former workshops, while the church, fountains and grotto reveal other facets of the local cultural heritage. The route’s name and purpose make clogmaking a clear focus for anyone interested in traditional crafts.

For families who want to discover cultural traces together, these themes offer a range of points of interest: art and building history, religious heritage and traditional crafts. The dates help distinguish the different stories rather than assigning all the evidence to a single era. When choosing a holiday rental, you can consider whether local culture and craft traditions should play an important part in your holiday. Awenne offers several distinct perspectives on its history.

Discover more destinations: Hatrival, Mirwart, Arville.

Back to the wider travel guide: Saint-Hubert.