Welcome to Poilvache. You have just crossed the barrier which closes access to vehicles from the car park. You have entered the site of the medieval ruins, property of the Division of Nature and Forests (DNF) of the Walloon Region. Built and archaeological heritage is studied by AwAP. It is the non-profit association Les Amis de Poilvache which welcomes you, runs and manages the site on a voluntary basis.
You are on a classified site, Exceptional Heritage of Wallonia and a Nature Reserve. Please respect safety instructions and nature.
To begin the discovery of this town and this medieval castle (1228-1430) which stretches over almost a km long, over 2.5 hectares, you must explore what could be the farmyard. Weird” you say. Indeed. On this site, the quadrangular castle reinforced with corner towers is built on the highest area and the entire area which goes down to the cliff overlooking the Meuse is not divisible in two. This area is named “city of Poilvache” in the name of the numerous texts which mention it. It’s difficult for the moment not to think of the castle without a farmyard. This land on which you are, after the embankment which separates you from the parking lot, never excavated and with its medieval authenticity not called into question, could thus be suitable for the “barnyard”. It was in the farmyard that the last peasants and their herds could come and take refuge in the event of imminent conflict, as a « parking » area for the numerous carts bringing up the goods from the Meuse or coming down from the plateaus because the path from scroll is narrow, and where more or less temporary crafts could be established if it did not have access to the “city”. It is a hypothesis that gives meaning to this area which precedes the castle and the town. It will perhaps be called into question by future excavations or a text.
Have a good walk,
Poilvache 