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Vireux-Molhain

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Visit Vireux-Molhain (Champagne-Ardenne, France)

Vireux-Molhain is a small town 10 kilometres south-west of Givet in the northern Ardennes department.

Exploring Vireux-Molhain

Mount Vireux

40 years of archaeological excavations on Mount Vireux have identified a fortified site of the Late Roman Empire. According to researchers, the first buildings date back to the early reign of the Gallic emperor Postumus (to 260). They have also found many objects (silver coins, pottery, iron key, horseshoe, ...). These various findings show the presence of an important economic activity such as trading and merchant iron metallurgy. Finally, thanks to these findings, we can date the various phases of occupation of Mount Vireux (Roman period, period Merovingian, Carolingian period).

Today, Mount Vireux is an ideal place for walks, having been converted into a nature trail. Visitors can experience the exciting historical past of viroquois and the magnificent views.

The panoramic photo above is a view of Molhain, the dull d'Aune, castle, church and the river Vireux-Wallerand. Alt. : 216 m.

Details: Walk in the collegiate Vireux-Molhain

History has it that the St Ermel college was founded in 752 by Lady Ada, widow of the Count of Poitiers and Wibert cousin of Pepin the Short. The legend also says Pepin the Short, Charlemagne's father, permeates the setting and his tomb is buried there.

When your follow the audio tour, pay attention to the ambiance. Also admire the treasure it contains: a polychrome 'Entombment' in wood dating from the late fifteenth century.

Jewel of the college is the crypt of the High Middle Ages. Vaulted on pillars it dates from the Carolingian period. You will also notice the series of tombstones, with decor and furnishings representative of the Italian Renaissance, the wonderful polychrome wooden statues of the sixteenth century and seventeenth-century altarpiece, which adorn the building. This monument was listed as a "historic monument" in 1963.

Practical information: To visit the college, contact the Tourist Office Val d'Ardenne, Castle Square, Vireux-Wallerand.

Other information

Details: Located on the French-Belgian border, The customs wall is named after the former customs house that stood here on the road D47 that links Vireux-Molhain (France) to Couvin (Belgium). The Customs Wall is now the Vireux-Molhain Nature Reserven a protected environment full of wonderful legacies.

Known to geologists since the nineteenth century, an abundance of fossils have been found, and also a great diversity of natural species.

This site was quickly known internationally, and professionals were not the only ones to do research - they were soon joined by collectors and enthusiasts. Over the years, the partial destruction of the deposit worsened, which prompted a proposed Nature Reserve. Since 1991 it has controlled the uncontrolled exploitation of fossils, to ensure the conservation but also the study of these ancient life forms (dinosaur bones, swimming animals ...)

Regulations - the conservation of this fragile site involves a few basic rules that the walker is asked to respect:

Prohibition to extract or collect fossils and minerals
Prohibition to harm fauna and flora
Prohibiting the depositing of rubbish outside the bins provided for this purpose
Prohibition to operate motor vehicles.

All information above kindly supplied by Val d'Ardenne Tourism