Forville: Tumuli, Cultural Heritage and Trails

Forville is an interesting destination for anyone who would like to combine cultural history, walks and small discoveries. The Tumuli de Seron are particularly prominent: three cone-shaped Gallo-Roman burial mounds along the path from Seron to Meeffe in Forville. There is also a cultural heritage trail, historic religious buildings and places where a stay with children can be made varied. When looking for a holiday apartment in Forville, you can therefore plan a holiday that is not focused solely on one attraction.

The Tumuli de Seron as a historical landmark

The three Tumuli de Seron date from the 1st and 2nd centuries and are part of Wallonia’s exceptional cultural heritage. They are classified as monuments, while their surroundings are classified as a site. The central tumulus is dated to between AD 120 and 140. A coin depicting the Emperor Hadrian helped establish the date. Finds at the site also include ceramic tableware that is just under 2,000 years old.

The mounds give the visit a clear historical focus without requiring you to confine yourself to museum interiors. From the tumuli, you can enjoy an elevated view over the surrounding Hesbaye countryside. At the tumuli stop on the cultural heritage trail through Forville, an information panel explains their origins and archaeological history. Anyone interested in history can connect the landscape here with a tangible testimony to the Gallo-Roman period.

Cultural heritage trail and historic buildings

The cultural heritage trail through Forville includes the Chapelle Notre Dame du Sacré Cœur, built in 1874 by the Jonet family. The Saint Laurent church is also a stop on this trail. Another chapel in Seron dates from 1856. The municipality of Fernelmont also has a Saint-Lambert church dating back to 1793.

The Maison du Comte in Seron also provides historical context. It was formerly the seat of a high lordship that depended on the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. The different dates and functions make the cultural heritage sites varied: they range from Gallo-Roman burial mounds to buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. The Ferme de Seron is private; visitors should not go beyond the entrance gate. This instruction is part of respectful sightseeing in the area.

Trails, play areas and planning your day

For an active day out, Loop 3 is a good option. It is 9.7 kilometres long and passes through Forville. In Fernelmont’s municipality-wide cycling and walking network, coloured directional signs point the way and indicate the number of the respective route. The circular routes can be downloaded from the municipality’s website or obtained at the municipal reception desk. This allows you to check before your outing which route fits your planned day, without equating the length of the route with a specific walking time.

Those travelling with children will find wooden play structures at Bâty Marchal on Rue Saule Bastrée in Forville. There is also a playground on Place Saint-Pierre. These stops can be included in your day plan as standalone destinations, while the tumuli and the cultural heritage trail provide a historical focus. When choosing accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you are mainly interested in culture, longer walks or additional play opportunities.

Further places to include in your travel plans

If you consider Forville as a base for further discoveries, you can also include Thy-Le-Bauduin, Houdremont, Vencimont, Jemeppe-Sur-Sambre, Vodelée, Denée, Somme-Leuze and Viroinval in your further search. Forville therefore remains a good choice for travellers who want to combine historical discoveries and trails with independent accommodation planning.

For the higher-level travel overview: Namen.