A walk across the Brabantine plateau, historic farms and the Tour de la Saint-Jean give Lillois-Witterzée several distinct points of interest for planning a trip. The walk offers a specific starting point for an outing; the area’s architectural history can be seen in several farms and other buildings. There is also a festive tradition whose dates and programme vary from year to year. This lets you decide whether you would like to include a walk outdoors, architectural history or a time-specific event in your trip.
Walks and Landscape
The Promenade de Lillois-Witterzée starts at the car park of Lillois station and crosses the Brabantine plateau. In this area, the plateau reaches a height of about 150 metres. The named starting point and route across the upland give the walk a clear framework. If you would like to give different weight to the landscape and architectural history, the walk is a distinct focus alongside the historic buildings.
The local landscape also includes the Hain stream: it was formerly called Braine and rises in Witterzée. Its former name and source provide another geographical reference point for the area, without being confused with the route of the walk.
Brabantine Farms and Architectural History
The Neuve-Cour Farm is an impressive example of a Brabantine quadrilateral farmstead. The dwelling, barns, stables and outbuildings are grouped around a rectangular courtyard. Bluestone and brick define the architecture, including the entrance portal. The farm dates back to the 13th century and was owned by Aywiers Abbey. Its layout, building materials and medieval ownership history offer several facets that can be considered together.
Ferme Del Tour preserves a tall, imposing keep dating from the early 13th century. It was also the seat of a full fief held under the name “court de Witterzée” within the Duchy of Brabant. Here, a surviving structure and a specific historical feudal relationship come together.
La Rivelaine is another Brabantine quadrilateral farmstead; its courtyard is paved. It offers a comparison with the rectangular courtyard layout of Neuve-Cour Farm, with the added feature of its paved courtyard. The Lillois mill marks a different period in the area’s history: it was built in 1859 and ceased operating in the early 20th century after losing its sails.
A replica of the Lourdes Grotto is also among the local historical sites. It is believed to have been built around 1890. The approximate date is part of the account and is therefore phrased cautiously.
Tour de la Saint-Jean
The Tour de la Saint-Jean procession includes floats, religious and folkloric tableaux, and horsemen. A brass band accompanies the procession; in the evening, the festivities include a reconstruction of the pyre. According to the story, a witch was burned on this pyre in the village of Lillois in 1613. The celebration thus brings together visible elements of the procession and a historical account, with “according to the story” signalling that it is a tradition.
If you are planning your trip around the Saint-Jean festivities, check the dates and programme for the year in question. Details can vary from year to year, while the walk, farms and other buildings remain separate topics to consider when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Diest, Halle, Bomal, Affligem, Tienen, Londerzeel, Wijgmaal, Rebecq.
For the broader travel overview: Brabant.
