This summer, a new ‘Patrimoine en Spectacle’ initiative aims to bring old stones to life by transforming them into living, breathing sets. It’s the perfect opportunity for a lovely family day out or to venture off the beaten track.
Summer 2026 promises to be an enchanted symphony, where Wallonia’s ancient stones whisper forgotten legends beneath a knowing sky that stretches the days into a golden canvas. Imagine : sleeping castles awakening to the sound of forgotten melodies, abbeys where the shadows of the past dance with the spotlights, citadels resonating with mediaeval echoes carried on the balmy breeze. From June to September, ‘Patrimoine en Spectacle’ transforms the historic heart of our region into a vast open-air theatre, where every site becomes a gateway to pure emotion.
Spectacular shows, spellbinding concerts, immersive historical re-enactments and magical evenings invite young and old not merely to contemplate our heritage, but to experience it, to feel it beating in time with their own hearts. Between the launch of the European Archaeology Days in June and the grand finale of the European Heritage Days in September, some fifty themed events promise moments of wonder, fascinating encounters and memories etched in the mind like eternal frescoes, where history is reborn through live performances.
Open doors to history
This summer, several heritage sites are unveiling their treasures during exclusive events, sometimes in places normally inaccessible to the public, offering a unique opportunity to discover them.
At the Château des Comtes de Mouscron, the Kiosque Festival fills the grounds with lively music in late June, with local and international artists making the centuries-old walls resonate with joyful, contemporary melodies. Shortly afterwards, in the Amblève Valley, in the municipality of Stoumont, the Château de Froidcour comes to life for its ‘Merveilles’, offering an intimate and enchanting setting where history beats to the rhythm of artistic performances, blending dance, theatre and light projections for an unforgettable evening.
These exclusive access opportunities enable visitors to rediscover these gems in a new light, bathed in the sunshine of fine days, and to connect with passionate guides who reveal the hidden secrets of these places steeped in history.
Thrilling shows and concerts
Music and theatre take over the ruins and bastions. At the Abbaye de Villers-la-Ville, the production A Midsummer Night’s Dream fills the ancient stones with the echoes of Shakespeare, with actors perched on Gothic arches and a dreamlike staging that transports the audience to the heart of the Athenian forest.
At the Domaine de Beloeil, the gardens and fountains come alive with acrobats and fantastical creatures reimagining Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, where Mowgli and his companions are brought to life in a breathtaking aquatic and aerial ballet.
The Citadelle de Dinant vibes to the sound of frenzied jazz, with musicians perched on the ramparts improvising under the stars, whilst the Abbaye de Stavelot joins in the fun with the Vacances Théâtre festival, which will celebrate its 60th edition this summer by presenting hilarious sketches and burlesque acts in the cloisters.
Finally, the 1,000 candles of ‘Flammes’ lead the way to the Château de Bomal (-sur-Ourthe, near Durbuy) for a mysterious and festive night, where storytelling and dancing by the fireside create a magical and enchanting atmosphere.
Journeys through time
Relive the past through immersive re-enactments. In the 16th century, the Festin de Lessines offers a Renaissance banquet featuring a costumed procession, spectacular pyrotechnics and period culinary demonstrations, where guests sample traditional dishes whilst watching verbal jousting and noble dances.
In the Middle Ages, the Médiévales de la Citadelle de Namur recreate a magnificent chivalric world, featuring jousting tournaments, a craft market and falconry displays that immerse visitors in the hustle and bustle of an authentic mediaeval camp.
Finally, the Archéoparc de Rocherfort takes you back to Antiquity with its Gallo-Roman event: re-enacted gladiatorial combats, traditional crafts such as pottery and blacksmithing, and ancient recipes shared around campfires for a full sensory experience suitable for the whole family.
Immersive weekends
Extend the fun over two days. In La Louvière, the historic Canal du Centre comes to life for a ‘weekend by the water’, blending industrial heritage with a friendly atmosphere featuring boat trips, riverside concerts and interactive workshops on working-class history, all under a festive sky.
The Archéosite d’Aubechies, near the Parc Naturel Scarpe-Escaut, offers a chance to completely switch off : from prehistory to the Roman era, history comes to life before your very eyes during a comprehensive and educational experience, featuring prehistoric camps, simulated excavations and demonstrations of ancient tools for explorers of all ages. VISITWallonia also offers a range of activities and accommodation near some of the events to extend your exploration.
When the autumn sun touches the rooftops of Wallonia, carrying away with it the final notes of this summer of live events, it will leave an endless echo of heritage magic in your hearts. These nights illuminated by a thousand flames — banquets where laughter mingles with the ghosts of the past and gardens where the jungle sways to the rhythm of the acrobats — will forge personal legends, woven from shared joy and wonder-filled discoveries.
Wallonia, with its boundless generosity, will once again have proven that its heritage is not set in the marble of time, but alive and kicking, ready to embrace you for unforgettable adventures.
Seven little-known places to (re)discover
Are you passionate about religious buildings ? Simply curious, or a lover of beautiful architecture ? Venture off the beaten track to discover some of Wallonia’s heritage gems to which tourists don’t flock in droves. And wrongly so…
Mont-Sainte-Marie – Mozet
Just off a wooded path on the GR 575, climbing up from the magnificent Baseilles farm (in Mozet, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Wallonia), lies Mont-Sainte-Marie. The sight of this listed building is striking. Perched on the hill are the remains of an 11th–12th-century Romanesque watchtower and the Gothic chancel of a former 16th-century church. The nave was probably destroyed in the 18th century, causing the building to be split into two parts. It’s the perfect opportunity to take a break from your walk, before heading off to admire Arville Castle, a little further on!
Église Saint-Donat – Arlon
La Knippchen, the hill at the heart of the town, was the site where the castle of the first Count of Arlon was built in the 11th century. In 1558, the Duke of Guise left nothing but ruins, on which the Capuchins built a monastery in 1621. Soon afterwards, a wall was erected to turn it into a citadel. Today, only the church remains. Don’t miss the viewpoint and its breathtaking panorama of Belgium, France and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the stone Stations of the Cross listed as a Major Heritage Site of Wallonia, and the carillon which chimes the traditional folk song of the Arlon region every hour.
Collégiale Saint-Ursmer – Lobbes
In the Sambre Valley, visit Belgium’s oldest church ! Built in the early 9th century by the monks of Lobbes Abbey, it has retained its Carolingian style, softened here and there by Mosan art. As you wander around, take in the significant funerary remains, including Merovingian sarcophagi, and, in the Romanesque crypt, just like the pilgrims of the Middle Ages, pray to Saint Dodon and Saint Renelde, known respectively for relieving back pain and skin ailments. A word to the wise…
Basilique Notre-Dame de Basse-Wavre
Built in the 16th and 17th centuries on the ruins of the Benedictine priory of Basse-Wavre, the Basilica of Our Lady has been a famous place of pilgrimage for over 500 years. This Grand Tour, a religious procession in honour and thanksgiving to Mary, is recognised as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. The basilica houses a reliquary containing the relics of more than forty saints and martyrs, including Mother Theresa.
Collégiale Notre-Dame – Huy
An architectural gem. A sumptuous Gothic building. A Meuse marvel. Such are the glowing comments from visitors to this collegiate church, listed as part of Wallonia’s Exceptional Heritage. It combines Romanesque, Rayonnant Gothic and Flamboyant Gothic styles. With its square towers, the stained-glass window in its chancel, ‘li Rondia’ – Belgium’s largest Gothic rose window – and its Romanesque crypt housing the internationally renowned treasure, the collegiate church is one of the must-see sites in this Meuse town.
Église Saint-Etienne de Waha
One of the oldest Romanesque churches in Belgium, Saint-Étienne in Waha, listed as a Major Heritage Site of Wallonia, is adorned with stained-glass windows created by Jean-Michel Folon. The interior also houses several works by the Master of Waha, a little-known sculptor whose works inspire admiration and wonder. Make the most of your visit to stroll through the narrow streets of Marche-en-Famenne, where the art of living and art itself blend harmoniously.
Collégiale Saint-Hadelin - Celles
Here, too, in the heart of one of Wallonia’s Most Beautiful Villages, lies a heritage treasure and a major example of Meuse Romanesque architecture. Built in the 11th century by the disciples of Saint Hadelin and remodelled several times, it is striking for the sense of unity it exudes. Perched on the hillside, the hermitage offers a view that’s well worth the detour! To get there, follow the Stations of the Cross, which are adorned with works of contemporary art. From Celles, a short detour to Vêves Castle is a must!
The most popular attractions
In Wallonia, Pairi Daiza theme park attracts the highest number of visitors, with over 2 million visitors during its last season, well ahead of the region’s other attractions. Just behind it, the theme park Walibi (Wavre) attracts around 1.05 million visitors, making it the region’s second-largest leisure attraction.
The Domaine des Grottes de Han completes the top three, attracting nearly 600,000 visitors by combining its natural caves with its wildlife park – a success bolstered by a strategy of communication and media partnerships. Two other sites have surpassed the 500,000-visitor mark : the Abbaye de Maredsous, which appeals to both heritage enthusiasts and lovers of local produce, and the Domaine provincial d’Hélécine, popular for its family-friendly and outdoor activities.
Brussels, the much-visited capital
In Brussels, the figures for overnight stays are comparable to those in Wallonia, with nearly 8.5 million tourist accommodation stays recorded recently, illustrating the capital’s significance as a destination. In terms of attractions, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, and above all the Musée Magritte, take top spot, with around 680,000 visitors in 2018, half of whom visited the Musée Magritte alone.
The Atomium ranks among Brussels’ top three attractions, welcoming nearly 575,000 visitors in the year of its 60th anniversary, confirming its status as a world-famous icon. Next come Mini Europe, which appeals for its fun and educational format, as well as a number of sites linked to the European institutions (the Hemicycle, the Parlamentarium, Maison de l’Histoire européenne), which are very popular with visitors interested in the European institutions.
A little economic context
In Wallonia, tourism generates more than 11 million ‘broad’ overnight stays (both recognised and unrecognised) and accounts for around fifteen billion in direct and indirect revenue, accounting for several per cent of the region’s added value. Private accommodation (holiday cottages, furnished flats) and campsites remain in high demand, although visitor numbers may fluctuate depending on the weather and the economic climate.
This article was written by Philippe Vandenbergh for W+B Magazine No. 172.
