Discover Solre-Sur-Sambre: Castle, Museum and Trails

Solre-Sur-Sambre combines impressive castle architecture, village history and trails through a varied landscape. At its heart is the Château-fort de Solre-sur-Sambre, whose interior is currently not open to the public. On a walk around the castle, however, you can admire its architecture and discover distinctive details such as machicolations and a stone mask.

The Château-fort and the Haute Sambre

The Château-fort de Solre-sur-Sambre is one of the oldest fortified castles in Hainaut. Its exceptionally well-preserved condition makes it a remarkable example of medieval castle architecture. The complex was built to protect the County of Hainaut against an enclave of the Principality of Liège. Today, the castle stands in a formerly marshy plain below the village; the moats are fed by the Thure.

Anyone wishing to explore the area on foot can begin at the Promenade de la Haute Sambre, at the foot of the fortified castle. The walking route leads to the farmhouse of Thure Abbey. This is the last surviving remnant of an abbey of Augustinian canonesses founded in the 13th century. At a bend in the path that runs around the castle lies the Church of Saint Médard; it spans the Thure and adds another distinctive site to the historical tour.

Museum and Local History

The Musée des Amis de Solre offers a varied insight into the life and history of the village. The collection was largely assembled from objects found in the attics of local residents. Exhibits include tools from trades that have disappeared, household objects, military uniforms, lace, cameras, toys and typewriters. A display case also contains Gallo-Roman funerary urns.

The Church of Saint Médard also preserves a specific historical detail: its baptismal font is dated to 1434. Together with the castle, the abbey farmhouse and the historic village centre, it creates a visit in which individual buildings and historical periods can be connected. The historic village centre is considered unquestionably worthy of preservation.

Forest Trails, Nature and RAVeL

For more active days, tourist trails lead through the forests of Bersillies-l’Abbaye and Solre-sur-Sambre. Along the way, you will encounter information about fauna and flora, an old tree and Dutch boundary stones dating from 1819. The Haute-Sambre nature reserve also includes the part of Solre-sur-Sambre within the municipality. The RAVeL route from Thuin to Maubeuge runs in the immediate vicinity of the village and offers another way to experience the surrounding area along a designated route.

Family Activities and the Saint Médard Tradition

For families with children, the 4.8-kilometre family treasure trail is a good option. The puzzles are designed for the age groups 4 to 6, 6 to 9 and 9 to 12. This allows you to choose the outing according to the children’s ages without requiring the family group to follow the same level of tasks.

The Saint Médard tradition also presents Solre-sur-Sambre as a place where village history is kept alive. The municipal magazine documented the 41st edition of the Marche Saint-Médard in 2023. The programme for this event in 2023 included a torchlight procession and a parade through the village streets. The Marche Saint-Médard is a military march dedicated to Saint Médard, featuring a torchlight procession, a street parade and a battalion in square formation.

The Right Accommodation for Your Stay

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home, you can take the focus of your trip into account: the castle and museum are ideal for a stay centred on cultural history, while the Promenade de la Haute Sambre, the forest trails and the RAVeL route provide space for walks and active days. Families can also check whether the family treasure trail is suitable for their children’s ages. This allows you to choose your accommodation according to your preferred holiday pace and plan culture, nature and shared discoveries around Solre-Sur-Sambre.

To the main travel overview: Erquelinnes.