Discover Vodelée: Nature, Pilgrimage and Regional Delicacies

Vodelée combines a long religious tradition with peaceful landscapes and regional produce. The procession on Whit Monday is particularly distinctive: for more than four centuries, it has led from the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Vodelée to the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bonne Fontaine. The procession route, just under one kilometre long, and the local cultural sites give the village a clear character for a trip in which you want to combine nature, history and local features.

Church, Chapel and a Living Tradition

The Church of the Immaculate Conception was built in 1871 after the previous church was destroyed by fire. Its local limestone is one of the building's visible features. The procession makes this church the starting point of a tradition that still holds an established place in Vodelée. A painted wooden statue measuring 85 centimetres in height is carried during the procession; it dates back to the early 17th century.

The Chapelle de Bonne Fontaine also has a long history. It is mentioned as early as 1633 and is a pilgrimage site on Whit Monday. A waterfall lies below the chapel. Those interested in religious buildings, regional customs and traces of history will find several points of interest here, without having to limit their visit to a single theme.

Nature Reserve on the Wooded Fagne Massif

South of the village of Vodelée lies the Vodelée nature reserve on the wooded Fagne Massif. Despite its small size, it has great botanical diversity. Several reptile species breed in the reserve and along its edges. This combination of woodland, plant life and protected habitats makes the area an interesting destination for travellers who do not want to spend their days exclusively visiting places of interest.

The Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bonne Fontaine is located on the GR 125 long-distance hiking trail. For orientation in the hiking area, a hiking map for Doische also includes the Interdorf Vodelée–Soulme map combination. When planning, take the precise length of the procession route into account and choose your excursions according to the landscapes and cultural sites you actually want to discover.

Farm Shop, Goat Cheese and Hops from the Surrounding Area

Another side of Vodelée can be seen at Les Cocottes Bio. Organic goat cheese and ice cream made from goat's milk are produced there using milk from the farm's own organically raised goats. At the farm shop, visitors can sample local or Belgian beer and various ice cream sundaes on a covered terrace. This makes for an enjoyable addition to a day spent between the chapel, nature reserve and village.

Hop fields lie between Gochenée and Vodelée. Their hops supply, among others, Chimay, Orval and a local brewery in Romerée. The regional character therefore extends beyond individual products and also encompasses the agricultural surroundings and the Belgian brewing tradition.

Vodelée as a Starting Point for Finding Accommodation

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Vodelée, you can tailor your choice to the type of trip you want. Those interested in culture can focus on the church, the procession and the Chapelle de Bonne Fontaine. For days spent in nature, the nature reserve, the Fagne Massif and the waterfall offer specific destinations. Those who appreciate regional specialities can add Les Cocottes Bio and the hop fields between Gochenée and Vodelée to their itinerary.

Another type of accommodation in Vodelée is the La Merveilleuse campsite. When searching for a holiday apartment or holiday house, the deciding factor remains which of these aspects you want to shape your trip. Vodelée is therefore suitable as a destination for a peaceful and varied trip, with tradition, nature and regional products side by side.

More Destinations for Your Search

More destinations for your search: Jemeppe-Sur-Sambre, Éghezée, Boignée, Sambreville, Louette-Saint-Pierre, Villers Le Gambon, Furnaux and Somme-Leuze.

To the higher-level travel overview: Namen.