Bousval: Procession Traditions and Historical Layers

Bousval brings together an annual religious celebration, historic buildings, countryside along the RAVeL and local food production. These different themes give you several ways to shape your stay: around architectural history, procession traditions, nature or farm produce. When looking for a holiday rental, you can consider which of these interests matters most to your trip.

Cultural History Across Several Eras

The Church of Saint-Barthélemy houses a baptismal font dating from 1555 and the cart of Saint-Barthélemy. The Chapelle du Try-au-Chêne marks a different point in history: Captain Thiery le Jeune, Seigneur of La Baillerie, had it built in 1608. The church and chapel thus represent different aspects of Bousval’s religious heritage.

The Château de Bousval also has more than one significant date. Its oldest part is a watchtower dating from 1500 to 1525; the château’s major construction work is dated to 1617. These dates therefore refer to different periods in its building history. For children, you can make this distinction easy to understand: a building may have an oldest part, while another date refers to its major construction work. The Ferme de la Baillerie is one of the oldest places in Bousval and dates from the early 15th century.

The Tour Saint-Barthélemy in August

The Tour Saint-Barthélemy has taken place in Bousval every year since 1696, on the last Sunday in August, in honour of the parish’s patron saint. The procession covers about 5 km through Bousval’s streets and countryside. It ends with the blessing of the horses that have accompanied the procession. Its fixed date and religious purpose make the Tour a special point of interest for visitors exploring the town’s history.

If you want the Tour to determine when you travel, check the event date in advance. This will help you plan around this annual tradition without confusing it with the town’s other cultural and historical attractions.

The RAVeL, Ponds and a Path to the Chapel

The former railway line No. 141 is preserved in Bousval as a RAVeL route. The ponds along the RAVeL near Bousval and their surroundings are considered remarkable biodiversity zones. Here, former transport infrastructure meets a natural setting: the line recalls the area’s railway history, while the ponds and their surroundings draw attention to local biodiversity.

A cultural and historical walk reaches the Chapelle du Try-au-Chêne after 1 km along path 36. This distance and the Tour Saint-Barthélemy’s roughly 5 km route relate to different activities: one describes the path to the chapel, the other the procession route. Comparing them helps you match each route detail to the activity that interests you.

Produce from the Ferme de la Baillerie

At the Ferme de la Baillerie, goat’s milk is made into yoghurt and various cheeses. Goat meat is also made into sausages. The cheese is produced and sold there; product availability may vary. This agricultural production adds another theme to your stay alongside the area’s architectural and religious history: the processing of goat’s milk and goat meat.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

When choosing a holiday rental, you can start by deciding what brings you on your trip. If you want to attend the Tour, its date on the last Sunday in August is an important point to consider. If you are more interested in architectural history, the RAVeL and ponds, or local cheese production, you can make one of these your focus. This way, you can discover Bousval through the interests that appeal to you most on your trip.

Discover more destinations: Glabais, Baisy-Thy.

For the broader travel overview: Genappe.