The best traffic-free bike rides around Ramillies

The church of Avernas-le-Bauduin, officially the Église Notre-Dame de l'Assomption (Our Lady of the Assumption Church), is a historic and partly fortified building. The heavy tower of flint and limestone dates from the 11th century and originally served as a fortified keep and shelter. The interior features a Gothic vault from the 14th century. The nave, the choir, and the brick upper part of the tower were rebuilt in 1768. The current entrance door dates from 1837. Since 1966, the structure has been recognized as a protected monument.

Very pretty little village with many possibilities for routes for all sports (except skiing :) )

The church was built around 1200 in tuff stone, a type of yellow sandstone from nearby Lincent. The design of the church is somewhat unusual, a two-aisled nave with a square choir, while the tower stands on the south side of the main nave. The block altar in tuff stone which, apart from the rosettes, shows great similarity to that of the sister church in Wezeren, is covered with a tabletop in Gobertange stone. The colourful stained glass windows are a true feast for the eyes.

The current church building dates from the 14th century, but the tower with its octagonal roof is largely still that of the original, 11th-century construction. It is a fortified tower that was formerly used as a keep, serving as a refuge for the villagers during hostilities. Under the rectorship of Claude Rochette (1720-1757), the church was partially rebuilt. During a restoration carried out in 1768, bricks were used which strongly contrast with the older parts, built from flint. The sacristy was built under the rectorship of Jean-Jacques Louis (1828-1863). Source: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avernas-le-Bauduin

The Abbey of La Ramée, located in Jauchelette (Geldenaken), was founded around 1215 by Héluide, abbess of Nijvel. The Cistercian nuns moved in 1216 to the banks of the Great Gete and came under the spiritual authority of the neighboring Abbey of Villers-la-Ville. In the 13th century, the community experienced a period of flourishing thanks to Cistercian mysticism and a highly regarded scriptorium. The abbey managed to acquire a large agricultural area and became very prosperous. However, during the 16th and 17th centuries, the monastery was repeatedly plundered due to wars, forcing the sisters to flee temporarily. In 1706, the English general Marlborough even set up a field hospital there during the Battle of Ramillies. After the French Revolution, the abbey was confiscated in 1796 and sold as national property. The monastic buildings were largely dismantled, but the farm and associated agricultural lands were spared. In 1722, the spectacular tithe barn was built, which is still considered the largest in Belgium today. In 1980, the complex was recognized as exceptional heritage of Wallonia. After a thorough restoration in the 90s, the domain serves as an exclusive venue for seminars and business events.

Where the water takes a turn...

Basilica-style building on a trapezoidal plan; four bays on the east side culminating in a square choir and crowned on the south side by a massive tower. Interesting tower volume in transitional style (mid-13th century). Quartzite plinth and tuff facing. Three stories: the ground floor currently features a pointed arch arcade; the bell storey has four paired sound holes with a Romanesque column surmounted by a cube capital. The spire dates from the 17th century. Gothic naves covered with mullioned beams or a flat ceiling; north entrance. The choir, also built of tuff, dates from the third quarter of the 13th century; the apse features an oculus and a three-light window with a three-lobed archivolt. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Parish Church of St. John the Baptist, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/43465

nice spot to rest on the benches