Purnode: Bocq Valley, Railway Line and Historical Discoveries

Purnode is a destination for anyone looking to combine landscapes, regional railway history and historical discoveries. A hike leads from Purnode into the depths of the Bocq Valley, which sometimes takes on the character of a genuine gorge here. There is also a marked promenade, the single-nave Church of Saint Remacle and traces of former religious buildings. When choosing holiday accommodation in Purnode, it is therefore important to decide whether you would prefer to make the trail, the railway line or the area’s cultural history the central theme of your stay.

Bocq Valley and marked trails

The hike from Purnode into the Bocq Valley is particularly appealing to travellers who want to shape their days around landscape experiences. The gorge-like character that the valley sometimes takes on here gives the surroundings a distinctive profile. Another point of reference is Promenade No. 6: it is signposted with a red rectangle No. 2 and marked by the Syndicat d’Initiative d’Yvoir. Those wishing to include this route in their day’s plans can use the existing markings as a concrete reference point when choosing their own route.

This means that Purnode offers different ways of exploring the area side by side. You can put a hike first, focus on the landscape of the Bocq Valley or get to know the village through its paths and historical traces. A holiday apartment or holiday house is particularly well suited to your travel plans if you would like to divide your days flexibly between nature and culture.

The Bocq railway line as a special feature

Purnode is one of twelve stations, stops or halts along the Bocq railway line. The line is 21 kilometres long and single-track along its entire length. For railway enthusiasts, this provides a precise framework for putting the area’s railway landscape into context.

The tourist train of the Chemin de Fer du Bocq runs between Ciney and Purnode in Yvoir along the former “Luxembourg Line”. This connection with the former railway line adds a historical perspective to present-day travel plans. If you are looking for accommodation in Purnode, you can therefore consider whether the railway line should be the focus of your stay or whether you would prefer to combine it with hiking and cultural heritage sites.

Church, chapels and local history

The Church of Saint Remacle is a single-nave church in the Romanesque style and was built in 1879. It offers a clear cultural point of interest for visitors interested in religious architecture. The older traces of the village also lead back into the past: the oldest parts of the former presbytery date from the 17th century. The cemetery near Rue des Longs-Cortils marks the site of Purnode’s former parish church.

Another special feature is the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Beauraing. It was built in gratitude for the end of the Second World War and stands on the site of a former potale dedicated to Saint Joseph. This potale was erected in the 19th century and has since disappeared. During a walk, you can therefore discover not only existing buildings but also former religious points of reference in the village.

The local history also includes the Brasserie du Bocq. La Gauloise is the oldest brand still produced at the Brasserie du Bocq. The brewery does not currently organise tourist visits because its new facilities cannot accommodate visitors. Those interested in the history of beer can therefore regard this as background to their trip, but should not plan a tour.

The right accommodation for your travel plans

When looking for holiday accommodation in Purnode, it is worth deciding what kind of daily rhythm you want. If the Bocq Valley and the promenade are the focus, hiking experiences and the landscape take centre stage. Those more interested in railway and local history can include the Bocq railway line, Saint Remacle, the former presbytery, the cemetery and the chapel in their plans. This allows you to choose your accommodation according to the experience you are looking for, without limiting your stay to just one attraction.

More places for your travel plans

If you would like to compare other destinations besides Purnode, you can find Haltinne, Surice, Furnaux, Rochefort, Ohey, Floreffe, Gesves and Hastière-Par-Delà here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Names.