Visits to sometimes unusual places, a wide range of activities, and tastings of all kinds will be at the heart of a program featuring nearly 300 events. Each province will offer a Table de Terroir.
On September 13 and 14, the European Heritage Days in Wallonia return for their 37th edition, brimming with discoveries of Walloon heritage, with a particularly enticing theme on the program: Culinary Heritage. Visits to sometimes unusual places, varied activities, and tastings of all kinds will be at the heart of a program that includes nearly 300 events, complemented by around twenty open sites in Ostbelgien. True to the pleasures of the table, each province will host a Table de Terroir set up for the occasion by the Walloon Agency for the Promotion of Quality Agriculture (Apaq-W).
“In Wallonia, culinary traditions are closely linked to the specificities and roots of our agriculture. Apaq-W works to highlight these roots, notably through the talented chefs in the Table de Terroir network. These Heritage Days offer a unique opportunity to remind us that many historic sites have transmitted or influenced our gastronomic culture and forged strong ties with our agriculture,” explains Philippe Mattart, General Director of Apaq-W.
A few examples among many others
Throughout the weekend, visitors will be taken on a journey through time and the history of food—from the Neanderthals’ table, showcased at the Espace de l’Homme de Spy (Jemeppe-sur-Sambre), to the introduction of coffee, tea, and cocoa in the 18th century, explored at the chapel of the Old Cemetery in Soignies. The eating habits of workers and wealthier classes will be presented at industrial sites such as Bois-du-Luc (La Louvière) or at the Hardy family table in their home in Dison.
Production and preservation sites will also be highlighted, such as the mill of Tiège in Walhain or the presbytery bakehouse of Saint-André church in Gérouville (Meix-devant-Virton). Religious practices linked to food will not be overlooked, with visits to places such as the Gallo-Roman sanctuary of Matagne-la-Grande (Doische) or the church of Lincent. Finally, living landmarks of gastronomic heritage will take center stage in a guided tour of Charleroi’s city center or at the former Britannique Hotel in Spa.
The Tables de Terroir will be set at Villers-la-Ville and Stavelot abbeys, at the Biercée distillery in Ragnies (Thuin), at the Fourneau Saint-Michel in Saint-Hubert, and at the farm-castle of Treignes (Viroinval).
In addition to these, the Walloon Heritage Agency (AWaP) will offer activities at the Archéoforum in Liège and at the Silex’s in Spiennes (Mons), where AWaP archaeologists will lead guided tours.
Visitors can also expect some delightful surprises with sites opening their doors for the very first time, such as the vineyard surrounding the Chenoy farm in Émines (La Bruyère), or remarkable farms included in a cycling circuit around Blandain and Templeuve (Tournai). Plenty of opportunities, then, to enjoy a memorable journey through every facet of Walloon heritage.
Please note: all activities are free of charge, but some are only accessible with prior reservation through the respective organizers. Certain gourmet tours may also require a financial contribution.
AWEX