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Grez-Doiceau information
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Grez-Doiceau information
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The Three Valleys (Les trois vallées - Grez-Doiceau - 10 kms)

Leave La Place Ernest Dubois from the presbytery (a beautiful priest's house built in the 18th century with a mansard roof) and pass in front of St George's Church, which was rebuilt by the Abbey of Valduc in 1782, and is characterised by a massive Roman tower. Particularly worth seeing inside the church are the great altar and the stalls dating from the 17th century, the large, 13th century statue of Christ, the 17th century pulpit, the gothic statue of Saint Anne, Mary and Jesus, statues of Saint Roch and Saint Nicolas (17th century), and ceramics by Max vander Linden. Beautifully carved panels and pews. The church used to be the centre of the well-known pilgrimage to Saint Marcoul (picture and statue).
Leaving the church on your left, turn left into 'la rue de la Barra'. On this corner note the 18th century house, Spanish in style, which has kept its original appearance. In 'la rue de la Barre' note the fine 18th century houses at numbers 7, 8 and 9. Just before the bridge turn right along 'quai Saint Michel', a pretty avenue of hawthorn trees which follows the river. Where the rivers of the Train and the Piétrebais meet, leave the bridge of Arcole and its copper beeches on your left. Shortly afterwards follow the boundary wall of the Franc Moulin, a large 19th century residence.

The Valley of the River Train
The cobbled road gives way to a track which follows the valley of the Train a short distance away. In the park there is an old, flooded quarry. You are now on the valley side: on the left lie wet lowlands of great biological interest, and on the right, large, cultivated fields beyond which lie the residential area and golf course of the Bercuit. The track leads to the hamlet of Morsaint

The Stream of Hèze (le Ry de Hèze)
Returning to tarmac roads, turn left across the Train and then right into 'la rue de Royenne'. Soon afterwards turn left into 'chemin du Ry de Hèze' which follows the stream of the same name. On the left the wooded hill of Biez; on the right the countryside of Royenne, which stretches up towards Grand-Sart Wood. Follow the pretty track of 'Fonds de Hèze' to the Coppe Chapel with its magnificent lime tree, and then on to a small water-pumping station.
Continue along la rue du Résidal, which in its lower section in the valley runs along the edge of the hillside village of Hèze. (Those who wish may spend a few pleasant moments in the narrow roads that run between la rue de Résidal and l'avenue Félix Lacourt, where they can see a number of small, old country houses.)

The farm 'de la Sarte' and the plateau of Hèze (Ferme de la Sarte et plateau de Hèze)
At the end of 'la rue du Résidal', take 'la rue Marguerite', which leads to 'l’avenue F. Lacourt'. Turn right and continue for 300 meters as far as the small chapel of Saint-Sang. Take the track on the left and admire the Farm de la Sarte or del Sart, a large farm with an interior courtyard dating from the second half of the 18th century and a fine archway with an old tiled roof, and which blends in harmoniously with the plateau of Hèze.
This wide, fertile plateau stretches up to Longueville and down to Piétrebais, and offers beautiful views, country tracks, copses and attractive sunken lanes.

Chavée de la Sarte – Cocrou
Walk past the farm 'de la Sarte' and take the track 'la chavée de la Sarte' off towards the wood. Continue along the edge of the wood; the path soon becomes a very attractive sunken lane. Once out of wood turn left at the junction. To see the chapel of Saint Sébastien of Cocrou (this hamlet) turn first right; note the beautiful door surrounds with stained-glass windows by L M Londot and ceramics by Max vander Linden.
Return to 'la rue de Bettinval' and cross the fields of the valley of the Piétrebais stream, with woods on the nearby slopes. Infront rises the hill of Biez with its prominent church and surrounding houses. Very extensive views.

The Mound of Biez (Butte de Biez)
Cross 'l'avenue F. Lacourt' and continue up 'la rue du Beau Site', which is quite steep. Notice the beautiful, old meadow on the right, an old, renovated farm on the left, and nearly at the top a grand, old house with a magnificent lime tree, and on the other side a fine view over the centre of Grez, Bossut, and in the distance the forest of Meerdael, Beausart, le Bercuit. Come to the church square named after Saint Martin. This neo-gothic building has an interesting interior, with a 17th century great altar and Louis XIV stalls. Go round the church and take the road 'la rue Champ du Curé', where there are more stunning views of Grez and its surrounding area. Unfortunately a power cable spoils one's enjoyment.


The old tramway track
Go down 'la rue Champ du Curé' and, after walking between two lovely wooded slopes, turn right into a track which follows the old Wavre-Jodoigne tramway. Turn left along 'la rue F Lacourt', and then right along 'la rue Basse-Biez'.

The castle of Piétrebais-en-Grez
Shortly afterwards on the left stands the 'château of Piétrebais-en-Grez', which is without doubt the most important building of the River Train valley. It is situated on the River Piétrebais, which provides water for its moat, and it was inhabited by the lords of Grez, whose ancestors may go back as far as the end of the 10th century. The large dungeon spattered with bullet holes is the only trace remaining of feudal times; its walls are 1.45 m thick at the bottom; the roof was not built until the 16th century. The old entrance is reached by draw-bridge and the tall gateway is topped by a magnificent gable with volutes in the Renaissance style. The coats of arms of the van den Berghe and the Liminghe families are visible on the stonework. The only round tower remaining is an unusual dovecot with 500 putlog holes and a turning ladder inside. The chateau, rectangular in shape and originally bounded by four towers, underwent significant changes in the 19th century. Today it is divided into two residences, both private properties.

The old bridge
Take 'l'avenue du Monceau' and continue beside the River Piétrebais. Opposite the second entrance to the castle, which is more recent than the first, do not forget to admire the oldest bridge in Grez-Doiceau, which used to be part of the old Wavre-Jodoigne road. Return to the point where the rivers 'le Piétrebais' and 'le Train' meet, and from there to 'la place Dubois' in front of the church, having walked 10 kms and had the opportunity to admire and enjoy some of the beautiful and interesting places in our commune.