Nestled between a woody slope and the left bank of the Meuse lies the delightful hamlet of Moniat. It is situated at 5 kilometres upstream of Dinant, at 1.5 kilometres of the Castle of Freÿr, the heart of the fief it once belonged to, and at 5 kilometres of the picturesque centre of Waulsort. The impressive limestone buildings are the first encountered by the tourist on entering the verdant municipality of Hastière from the north.
Behind the walls of the former fruit juice manufactory Jaffafruit hide the formidable vestiges of an old blast furnace. Today the "Fourneau de Monia" is one of only three preserved furnaces in Belgium. Although beheaded after World War I to make way for a hotel terrace, the lower part remained intact with its casthouse, taphole and tuyere, and its adjoining water spring.
By the end of 2015 a couple art historians fall in love with the site and the buildings get a new destination as house and heritage site, open to the public.
Behind the walls of the former fruit juice manufactory Jaffafruit hide the formidable vestiges of an old blast furnace. Today the "Fourneau de Monia" is one of only three preserved furnaces in Belgium. Although beheaded after World War I to make way for a hotel terrace, the lower part remained intact with its casthouse, taphole and tuyere, and its adjoining water spring.
By the end of 2015 a couple art historians fall in love with the site and the buildings get a new destination as house and heritage site, open to the public.
SOME ACTIVITIES IN 2019
Exhibition
The water from Monia to JaffaEnter a world of fire and water. In the unique spot of Fourneau de Monia you discover the different applications of the spring water of the subterranean stream the Moniat. Though nowadays a picturesque hamlet, it teemed with life until the end of the last century.
The fame of Moniat spread like rapid fire with the installation of its furnace at the beginning of the 16th century. The small plain on the border of the Meuse is ideally situated for the creation of iron: the spring of the Moneau – "Moniat" in Walloon – supplies the basins for washing the iron ore and makes the waterwheel turn to put the bellows in motion. Besides that, the spring water is used for the production of several beverages. During the 18th century a genever distillery existed next to the furnace. After their disappearance the pure water, declared healthy by official analysis, is bottled. The interwar period witnesses the rise of the Franck family, producers of the Moniat waters and lemonades and the Jaffafruit fruit juice. But it is not only man who benefits from the clear water of the Moniat. The spring nourishes an old branch of the Meuse where the beavers play and the fish spawn. 8 June - 29 September 2019
little bar with select choice of refreshments |
Guided walks
Moniat and its waterUntil 1980 the tiny hamlet of Moniat was an animated site, nourished by the clear water of the subterranean stream bearing the same name. Embark on a surprising tour along unsuspected industries and relaxing nature.
We start by visiting the 18th century blast furnace and the exhibition The water from Monia to Jaffa. Next we stroll through the hamlet in search of the hidden remnants of the bygone industries. Then we quicken our pace and walk through an old forest path to the top of the Moniat rocks, where we are dazzled by the glorious view. duration: +/- 3h
available languages: English, Dutch, French |
Discover the complete offer of walks, lectures, exhibitions and other activities on
www.fourneau-de-monia.eu |
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
exhibition
8 June - 29 September 2019 Saturday & Sunday 13:00 — 17:30 during the week by appointment |
guided visits & walks
all year round on reservation |
exhibition
free entry guided visits & walks € 60,00 / 2 hours |
Fourneau de Monia
Moniat 3 5540 Waulsort Belgium +32 472 945097 [email protected] www.fourneau-de-monia.eu |