The best traffic-free bike rides around Incourt

Renovated remains of a former commandery of the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of Malta, also known as the Maltese Order, which originated after the Crusades. The original commandery (farmhouse with tithe barn), known as the Commanderie van Chantraine, no longer exists in its original twelfth-century form, but is well worth a visit, with buildings dating back to the seventeenth century.

Quiet road with 2 lanes of concrete, easy to do with a racing bike. Good alternative for Chaussée de Namur

Beautiful farms and village houses, streets covered with old cobblestones and an old cemetery surrounding the building with an impressive view over the countryside - it is a little bit of Burgundy that you feel around this charming church, entirely in white Gobertange stone and situated at the top of this beautiful village, on the hill. The whitewashed walls give the church a sober, contemplative atmosphere. Some of the sights in and around the church (see photos): The Virgin and Child Unsigned painting on wood, dated between 1591 and 1600. The work is also known as "The Holy Family with John the Baptist and the Archangel Gabriel". Statue of Saint Remi of Reims A polychrome, dressed statue of the bishop Saint Remi of Reims, dating from the 19th century, placed on the side altar on the north side. The statue is 120 cm high (the robes were traditionally made by seamstresses from the village). Baptism of Clovis Unsigned oil painting of the baptism of Clovis by Bishop Remi of Reims. It is dated between 1701 and 1800 and was made on behalf of Father Larmormainy. Stations of the Cross Ceramicist Gabriel Taeymans is the creator of several Stations of the Cross. In 1994, he was commissioned to make a Stations of the Cross. He created the stations in an original style, with natural postures, because he believed that those who were present with Christ during his passion must have shown him gestures of tenderness. Baptismal font Baptismal font commissioned by Father Jean Delwaide in 1687. He died the same year and it was his replacement, Charles Léonard, who baptized the newborns in the parish. The stonemason kept the old base, which unfortunately we cannot date. Tombstone in blue stone Tombstone in blue stone with the coat of arms of “de Fonteny et de Raul” (16th century) depicting a reclining couple: Raes de Fonteny and his wife Jeanne de Raul. The man is depicted bareheaded, with some parts of his chain mail still visible; the woman wears a headdress, her clothes falling in rich folds on her feet. Source: https://openchurches.eu/fr-be/edifices/saint-remy-jodoigne

Pleasant downhill side

Some nice details on and around the building. Look at the iron tables on the small raised garden. Those who have never seen these things will probably know what they are by names like 'Singer' and 'Pfaff'. On/at the various facades you can also see all sorts of things like old beer advertising boards, a chapel niche and an old water pump.

This former presbytery dates from 1729 and consists of two floors symmetrically divided into rooms on either side of a central corridor and a wing perpendicular to it for the outbuildings. The presbytery, which was built immediately to the right of the church of Notre-Dame de la Visitation, originally consisted of a building of brick and Gobertange stone. An additional half-floor was added to the building in the first half of the 19th century. Recalling the Baroque spirit, the entrance door is crowned by a stained glass window and a curved moulding, framed by two volutes or finely worked spirals. Sources: - Municipal information: https://villagemelin.be/eglise-notre-dame-de-la-visitation/ - Heritage sheet: https://beauxvillages.be/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/MPBVW_Melin_parcours_Patrimoine.pdf Tip: behind the former presbytery is the walled car park with the most space, from where you have an excellent view of the presbytery and church.

The neoclassical church of Notre-Dame de la Visitation was built in the second half of the eighteenth century in brick and stone by the architect Jaumotte. A square tower in Gobertange stone, flanked by rounded outbuildings in the same material, dominates the building with its slender polygonal spire. An enclosed cemetery adjoins the church, near the cense du Seigneur (or farm of the lord, see highlight) or cense Risbais, which reflects a primitive princely complex. The church is decorated with a wealth of 18th-century furniture and there is a Renaissance organ from 1616, listed as a monument in 1724 and formerly in the church of Rupelmonde. Source and more: https://villagemelin.be/eglise-notre-dame-de-la-visitation/ In front of the main entrance of the church is a small Lourdes grotto, in the entrance hall you will find a statue of Christ on the left and on the right an image with the names of the priests who once served the church.

In the heart of the village, this imposing farm divides its various volumes around a pleasant courtyard. It is not in the right place but at what is actually the Lord's Farm (and which is also in one image). I asked Komoot to change the location to the correct address on the small village square (where the war memorial is located). The façade, of the farm that was redeveloped in the 19th century, skilfully combines colours and shades, ranging from the orange-red of the bricks and roof tiles to the beige of the Gobertange stone. This stone, which has established the reputation of the place, enlivens the composition of the façade by highlighting certain architectural details. The 17th century main building, which is perpendicular to the road, has an interesting stepped gable. Source: https://beauxvillages.be/nl/decouvertes/ferme-fortemps-in-melin/ Attention: there is a confusion in Komoot. On the map, the name of this farm is mentioned with the farm at the church. The association of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia places this farm at Place de Mélin, 6, and that is close but not the same place and farm. See https://beauxvillages.be/nl/decouvertes/ferme-fortemps-in-melin - if this is correct, the farm is also incorrectly placed as a highlight and there are also incorrect photos. Reported to Komoot.