Old forges of Montauban

The Old Forges of Montauban in Buzenol form a heritage site in the municipality of Étalle, in Belgian Gaume, Luxembourg province. In one place it brings together the ruins of historic ironworks, a fortified refuge on a hilltop and a museum of Roman-era carved stones. It makes a good destination for a quiet walk with a history lesson attached.

What is this place?

Montauban-Buzenol is a complex made up of a fortified refuge on a high promontory and the remains of forges in the valley below. It was protected by royal decree on 2 December 1959 and is now counted among Wallonia's exceptional heritage. The site lies south of Étalle town, near the village of Buzenol.

How long did the forges operate?

Sources disagree on dates. Some say the valley forges worked from the 15th to the 19th century, others trace the ironworks to the 16th century. The regional iron industry flourished from the 16th to the 18th century and ran on charcoal. Decline came with the discovery of coal in the Sambre and Meuse basins around 1850, which made charcoal obsolete. The halls were eventually abandoned, and only their ruins remain.

What do we know about the hilltop refuge?

The promontory was occupied in several periods: from Celtic times, through the Roman era, into the early Middle Ages. The first excavations took place in 1913, and a broader, more systematic campaign followed in 1952-1953.

What are the Vallus and the lapidary museum?

In 1958 excavations uncovered important Gallo-Roman bas-reliefs. They came from dismantled funerary monuments whose blocks had been reused in the refuge's fortifications. Among them is the famous "Reaper of the Treveri", the Vallus, a Gallo-Roman reaping machine attributed to the Treveri tribe. It can be seen on site today.

To house these blocks, the Musée gaumais had a lapidary museum built. Architect Constantin Brodzki designed it, setting the building partly into the ground. The display illustrates three successive periods of settlement, from the Iron Age to the Middle Ages.

How to visit

A loop of about 6 km starts from the village of Buzenol and takes a little under two hours. The route runs through woods and valleys, so sturdy footwear is a good idea.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Montauban-Buzenol? In Buzenol, south of Étalle, in Belgium's Luxembourg province.

What can I see there? Ruins of the old forges, remains of the fortified refuge, Roman reliefs in the lapidary museum and the Vallus.

Is the site protected? Yes, since 1959 as a listed monument, and today as exceptional heritage of Wallonia.

How long is the walk? The loop from Buzenol is about 6 km and takes just under two hours.

Is the museum always open? Opening days can be limited, so check the current schedule before you go.