Discover Châtelet: Magritte, Pottery and the RAVeL

Châtelet combines a surprising cultural history with an artisanal tradition and a wide range of options for active days. Anyone planning a trip to Châtelet can choose between art, local pottery, nature and routes for their own discoveries. Bouffioulx in particular adds striking rock formations, traditional workshops and the history of René Magritte to the character of the area.

Getting around on the RAVeL

The RAVeL, Line 138, provides a practical point of reference. It was opened between Châtelet and Gerpinnes on 8 July 2022 and runs via Bouffioulx and Acoz. This makes it an interesting part of a day’s itinerary if you would like to combine exercise with discovering several places. Bouffioulx town centre can be reached from Châtelet railway station on foot via the RAVeL or by TEC bus line 137. When choosing your holiday apartment or holiday home, it may therefore be useful to consider a location that suits your preferred daily rhythm: either with a focus on cultural discoveries or as a starting point for active exploration.

Magritte and Bouffioulx’s pottery tradition

Maison Magritte is the house where René Magritte was born and grew up. The bourgeois house was built by his father in 1911 and designed in the Art Nouveau style. Informational panels in French, Dutch and English provide information about Magritte’s childhood and career. Along the Promenade Magritte, floor inlays and works by various artists have also been placed. Those who would like to experience culture beyond a single building can include these different ways of engaging with art in their travel plans.

Pottery is equally characteristic of the area. Maison de la Poterie pays tribute to potters of the past and present. In Bouffioulx, the Dubois family has been practising pottery since 1595 and for 14 generations, maintaining a direct family tradition. At Poterie Dubois, guided tours of the workshop offer the opportunity to see craftspeople at work. The workshop is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; guided tours take place by reservation. These fixed details help you plan a dedicated day of pottery-related cultural activities.

Nature, rock formations and local features

The landscape also has its own distinctive features. Since 1981, the Sébastopol nature reserve has had the status of a Belgian ornithological nature reserve and currently covers more than 50 hectares. It therefore offers an independent focus on nature alongside the cultural attractions. The rock formations known as the “Tartines de Bouffioulx” are located on the rocky plateau of Bouffioulx. Anyone wishing to switch between art, crafts and nature during a trip will find a range of themes here for planning each day, without having to commit to just one type of outing.

Another way to discover Châtelet’s history is the Totemus treasure hunt “L'énigmatique Châtelet de René Magritte”. It presents part of the city’s history from 1220 to the present day and passes the Liège Perron, the city walls and the old mill along the way. For travel groups with different interests, this historical perspective can complement visits to museums and workshops. The local culinary tradition is also represented by the Confrérie des Potiers de Bouffioulx, which promotes traditional pâté and Buffalo beer.

Which type of accommodation location suits your trip?

Châtelet is a suitable base for a trip combining culture, crafts, nature and exercise. When choosing your holiday apartment or holiday home, consider above all which experiences you want to focus on and how you would like to divide up your days. For art enthusiasts, Maison Magritte, the Promenade Magritte and the Totemus treasure hunt are the main attractions. Those looking for local traditions can include Maison de la Poterie, Poterie Dubois and the Fête de la Poterie in their plans. The Syndicat d’Initiative de Bouffioulx has organised this event since 1970 on the Friday, Saturday and first Sunday of July each year.

For further orientation, you can also explore Montignies-Sur-Sambre as well as Belœil, Beaumont, Leernes, Erquelinnes, Aiseau-Presles, Le Roeulx and Lessines.

For the overview of the wider region: Hainaut.