Foy-Notre-Dame: Church, Pilgrimage and Hiking Trails

Foy-Notre-Dame is home to a long pilgrimage tradition and the Église de Foy-Notre-Dame, as well as two hiking options. These topics offer different perspectives on the area: architectural history, a recurring feast day or trails with named destinations. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Foy-Notre-Dame, you can already shape your reason for travelling around these themes.

A church with a history and cultural heritage

The first chapel was built in 1618; in 1624, it was replaced by the present-day Église de Foy-Notre-Dame. The church is also known as the Sanctuaire-Eglise Notre-Dame de Foy. It features a coffered ceiling with 145 painted panels, described as exceptional heritage of Wallonia. The dates mark the transition from the first chapel to the present-day building. The ceiling adds a precisely quantified cultural heritage detail to this architectural history—a concrete point of interest for anyone interested in sacred architecture.

The Calvaire of Foy-Notre-Dame has also been protected as a monument, since 10 May 1982. Together with the church, it provides another dated reference to heritage preservation. The church stands on high ground in a sparsely built-up area and is surrounded by a few houses made of regional natural stone. This description of the surroundings gives the choice of location a tangible dimension: the landscape setting is part of Foy-Notre-Dame’s character, alongside its buildings.

A pilgrimage on a set date

The annual pilgrimage to Foy-Notre-Dame has been held since the 17th century. It takes place every year on Whit Monday between Rochefort and Foy-Notre-Dame and starts in Rochefort. On 7 December 2023, it was added to the inventory of the intangible cultural heritage of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles. This tradition therefore brings together a long history and a more recent, specific cultural heritage recognition.

Whit Monday is the key date for your planning. If you would like to take part in the pilgrimage, check the detailed schedule beforehand. This lets you plan your visit around the feast day, rather than confusing the recurring date with a day of your choice for an outing.

Two hiking options, different ways to find your way

The Promenade du Jauvelan starts in the village of Foy-Notre-Dame and leads to the Ferme de Jauvelan and the forest of the same name. The Notre-Dame de Foy (Houyet) route also starts in Foy-Notre-Dame. It is a signposted, 8.1-kilometre circular hike suitable for pedestrians. The trails therefore differ in how they are described: the Ferme and forest are the named destinations for the Promenade, while the other route is specified as a loop with a stated total length.

When choosing between the two options, you can compare a route to named destinations with a signposted loop whose length is specified. Trail conditions may change; check them before setting out.

Choosing accommodation to suit your reason for travelling

When choosing a holiday apartment, it helps to first set the time frame for your stay: if the pilgrimage is the main focus, Whit Monday is the key date. If you would rather plan your days around the hiking trails, you can use the named destinations and circular route format as specific selection criteria. This way, your accommodation search begins with the question of what kind of stay you are planning in Foy-Notre-Dame.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Anseremme, Falmignoul, Lisogne, Thynes

Return to the main travel overview: Dinant.