Vas-t'y-Frotte

Île Vas-t'y-Frotte is a wooded island on the Meuse river just upstream of Namur, at the level of the La Plante district. Roughly 700 metres long and covering barely 3.5 hectares, it's a small but densely forested patch of land in the middle of the river, visible from the riverside walkways and from the Citadel above.

Where does the name come from?

The name sounds playful, and local legend traces it back several centuries. It is said to be linked to a visit by Don Juan of Austria to Namur around 1577: while passing through the city, he supposedly organised a lavish celebration on the island in honour of Queen Margot. According to the story, the carefree "rubbing shoulders" of the revellers that day gave rise to the island's curious name, which has stuck ever since as part of local folklore.

How has the island's use changed over time?

The island's history is largely one of shifting agricultural and military roles. For a long stretch it served as a hay meadow, pasture, and vegetable garden for local residents. Everything changed in 1953, when the Belgian army took over the site — for six decades, until 2013, it was used as a training ground for mine-clearance and military bridge-building exercises. Once the army stopped using it, the island was sold to the Walloon Region (the Nature and Forest department) for 46,000 euros, opening the way for its conservation as a natural area.

Why is the island protected today?

Since 1995, under a royal decree issued on 9 March of that year, Vas-t'y-Frotte has been protected as part of the Natura 2000 network of natural sites. The absence of ongoing human activity, combined with its dense tree cover, has made it a valuable refuge for wildlife. Its ornithological value stands out in particular: the island hosts a breeding colony of grey herons and great cormorants, for which the inaccessibility of the terrain and proximity to water provide ideal nesting conditions. Watching these birds from the riverbank is one of the few ways visitors can experience the island, since it remains closed to the public as a protected reserve.

What should visitors know before heading to the area?

Although stepping onto the island itself isn't possible, Vas-t'y-Frotte adds a striking natural note to the views along the Meuse near La Plante and the Namur Citadel. A walk along the riverbank lets you take in this wild green patch surrounded by water and appreciate the contrast between the orderly urban fabric of the city and this untouched slice of nature right next to it.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the island of Vas-t'y-Frotte? No — as a protected Natura 2000 site, the island is not open to visitors; it can only be admired from the riverbank.

Where does the island's name come from? Local legend links it to a celebration organised by Don Juan of Austria for Queen Margot around 1577.

What was the island used for in the past? It served as a meadow, pasture, and vegetable garden, and from 1953 to 2013 as a military training ground for mine-clearance exercises.

What wildlife can be seen there? The island shelters breeding grey herons and great cormorants, which nest in its dense woodland.