We are in the town of Poilvache, in front of the so-called “Midi” tower. This tower is linked to the architecture of the western enclosure (which goes towards the right of the photo). To its left, the enclosure, which connected this tower to the so-called “Mint” tower, is lost. At this point, a barrier protects visitors from the void created by the steep limestone wall: there is a 100 m difference in altitude between Poilvache and the Meuse. The meadows and fields in the background are those exploited on the left bank of the valley: the Mosan meander has created here, at the height of the ruins of Poilvache, one of the very rare alluvial plains of the Mosan valley, most often quite narrow and deep.
A difference in level is also felt between the photographer’s plan and that of the tower: a preserved cellar level?
Despite its impressive appearance when seen from the outside and below, the Midi Tower nonetheless remains one of the most destroyed on the site. Even its lower level has almost completely disappeared, to the point that no trace remains of the location of the archers with which it was equipped. The tower formed an ideal observation location to detect any movement in the Meuse valley.
Once on the tower itself, the visitor discovers a magnificent panorama of the Meuse valley between the ruins of Crèvecoeur which can be seen to the left and the village of Yvoir which can be seen to the right. Below, the right part of this panorama with, in the foreground, the Houx railway bridge and in the background, the village of Anhée.
Poilvache 