Furnaux: Romanesque heritage and village history

Furnaux brings together sacred art and traces of its older village history. Particularly noteworthy are the Romanesque baptismal fonts in the Église de la Nativité de Notre-Dame: they date from the 12th century and stand alongside a tombstone from 1725. There are also reminders of a manor house, mill and brewery. Visitors planning a trip to Furnaux can get to know the village across several historical periods—from medieval church art to buildings that tell of their former uses.

Romanesque baptismal fonts in black marble

The baptismal fonts in Furnaux were made between 1135 and 1150. They are crafted in the Mosan style from black marble from Dinant. Their date, style and material each give them a distinct character: they point to a specific period of origin and a design that differs from the tombstone in the same church. Since 4 December 1989, the baptismal fonts have been classified as historic monuments. Their artistic age and protected status make them a notable subject for anyone interested in religious art and historic buildings.

The Église de la Nativité de Notre-Dame also contains a tombstone for Antoine de Franau and Marie de Reding, dating from 1725. The two dates highlight different periods: the baptismal fonts take us back to the 12th century, while the tombstone belongs to a later era. Together, they give an impression of how different historical artefacts come together in a single church. Visitors who like to focus on individual details will find two clearly distinct points of interest here.

Church, manor buildings and former uses

The architectural history around the church also spans several periods. The former manor house of Furnaux dates from the 13th century and was rebuilt in the following century. The Église de la Nativité de Notre-Dame was once connected to the neighbouring lord’s castle by a narrow passage. This former architectural relationship adds another perspective on the village’s history to its sacred artworks. The passage belongs to the church’s past; the connection is recorded as a historical relationship.

Traces of other activities can be found at the Moulin de Furnaux and Château de Furnaux. The Moulin was a watermill powered by the waters of the Molignée. Its building remains standing and has been converted into a farm. The former brewery of Château de Furnaux is now one of the outbuildings of a farm. The mill and brewery thus tell of different forms of former use: water power was central to the former, while the latter reflects the history of brewing. Preserved and repurposed buildings make these aspects of the village’s history more tangible than a simple sequence of dates.

Tradition and hiking

The Marche de la Nativité de Notre-Dame is an annual event. It is held in the village around 8 September in honour of the birth of Mary. The approximate date helps with planning without presenting the event as falling on a fixed calendar day. You can check when it will take place in your preferred travel year. This makes it possible to include the village tradition as a potential focus alongside the historic buildings.

A hike can also bring the church art into focus: the “Les Monastères de la Molignée” route leads into the church in Furnaux, where hikers can view the baptismal fonts. The route thus combines a hike with a specific destination in the village. Check the route details and conditions before setting off. Visiting the church along this route offers a different way to approach the baptismal fonts than learning about their history and design.

Furnaux as a base for your stay

When looking for a holiday apartment in Furnaux, you can start by considering the kind of holiday you want. If you would like to take a closer look at historical artefacts, the baptismal fonts, tombstone and architectural history take centre stage. If you would rather combine a hike with a destination in the church, the “Les Monastères de la Molignée” route offers a useful starting point for planning. The annual Marche, in turn, offers a time-specific opportunity to include local tradition. Your choice of accommodation in Furnaux can therefore reflect the themes you would like to include in your travel plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: La Bruyère, Yvoir, Sart-En-Fagne, Gedinne, Viroinval, Houyet, Lustin, Andenne.

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