Robechies: Church, Nature and RAVeL

Robechies can be explored through several specific themes: the building history of Saint-Nicolas Church, the natural features around Les Crayaux and the conversion of the former railway station into a section of RAVeL 109. This lets you discover the place through its architecture, landscape or opportunities for outdoor activities. When looking for a holiday rental, this distinction is a good starting point: consider which aspect of Robechies will be of particular interest during your trip.

Saint-Nicolas: two construction phases in one church

Saint-Nicolas Church was built in 1834 in the neoclassical style. It replaced an older church, built in 1681 and blessed in 1683. The lower part of the choir still belongs to the earlier church and is made of sandstone rubble. This brings together a 19th-century building and a component of the older church. The nave has seven bays and side aisles. Bays divide the nave into individual sections; the side aisles complement its basic structure. The construction phases, materials and layout give the cultural theme a concrete character. If you are interested in architecture, Saint-Nicolas offers more than a date: the neoclassical building and the older choir area create contrasting features within the same church.

Natural features around Les Crayaux

Les Crayaux in Robechies are among the last remaining fragments of calcareous grassland at the western end of the Calestienne. The term refers to a particular type of grassland; the fact that only fragments remain is central to the significance of this natural feature. Robechies is also mentioned in the name of the Natura 2000 site BE32035, “La Fagne entre Bailièvre et Robechies.” These are two distinct natural references: Les Crayaux represent a particular landscape type, while Robechies is explicitly included in the site’s name.

From railway station to RAVeL

Robechies railway station opened in 1882. The station building was designed in the Flemish Neo-Renaissance style and built with alternating red brick and bluestone. After the station closed, the former station grounds were converted into a section of RAVeL 109. The RAVeL 109 in Robechies is intended for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, so it is not limited to cycling. An extension of the RAVeL between the Robechies bridge and the centre of Chimay was completed by the 2022 reporting cycle. Safe crossings were installed on the former station grounds, including a metal bridge over the RN53 and a wooden bridge at the former railway station. The former function of the station and its later conversion into a section of the RAVeL make this change in use a distinct theme in Robechies.

Saint-Nicolas and the railway station also differ considerably in their architectural history: one is a neoclassical church with a part of its predecessor, the other a station building in the Flemish Neo-Renaissance style. The year 1834 marks the construction of the church, while 1882 marks the start of railway operations, so the dates refer to different events.

Use the themes that are of particular interest to you during your trip to guide your search for a holiday rental in Robechies.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Aiseau, Merbes-Le-Château, Braine-Le-Comte, Flobecq, Seneffe, Jurbise, Estinnes, Manage.

For the broader travel overview: Hainaut.