Écouviez offers several distinct points of interest for a stay: the parish church of Saint-Michel and its architectural history, the cross-border Franco-Belge Walk, and elevated views of the rows of houses in the town. There is also a restaurant in the former railway station. When planning your trip, it helps to consider whether you would rather focus on architectural periods, a route with a destination in Belgium, the townscape, or seasonal cuisine.

Saint-Michel: three stages in its architectural history

The parish church of Saint-Michel is located on Rue Grande and Rue de l’Église. The present church was rebuilt in 1852 after the previous church collapsed in 1848. Its bell tower was raised in 1904. The collapse, reconstruction, and later alteration to the tower therefore represent three distinct stages in the building’s history. Reconstruction followed the collapse four years later; the tower was raised 52 years after that. This helps distinguish the rebuilding from the later alteration when looking at the church’s history: 1852 marks the present church, while 1904 marks the raising of the bell tower.

The Franco-Belge Walk to Belgium

The Franco-Belge Walk starts at the church car park in Écouviez. From there, it crosses the French-Belgian border and continues to Couvreux in Belgium. Crossing the border is therefore a specific part of the route, not just a reference in its name. Starting at Saint-Michel gives the church and the route a shared point of reference. If you are looking for an outing with a destination in Belgium, Couvreux is the key landmark. The focus of this route is clearly distinct from the church’s architectural history: here, the border and the destination shape the character of the outing.

Views from the Couleuvre viewpoint

The Couleuvre viewpoint offers a different perspective on Écouviez. From there, you can enjoy an elevated view of the rows of houses in the town, which are reminiscent of workers’ housing. Here, the form of the townscape matters more than a particular date: the houses appear in rows, whereas the focus at Saint-Michel is on the sequence of events over time. Those interested in rows of homes and the character of a town will find a different perspective here from the datable changes to the church.

Dining in the former railway station

The Hôtel-restaurant Les Épices Curiens is located in the former railway station in Écouviez. Guests can enjoy creative, elegant cuisine made with the finest seasonal produce. The restaurant’s location in the former station building gives it a tangible connection to the town; its seasonal focus is distinct from Saint-Michel’s architectural history and the views from Couleuvre. Restaurant and menu details may change. Check the latest information before visiting, especially if the cuisine is important to your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Vignot, Hannonville-Sous-Les-Côtes, Forges Sur Meuse, Amel-Sur-L'etang, Pareid, Nonsard-Lamarche, Quincy-Landzécourt, Saint-Maurice-Sous-Les-Côtes.

For the broader travel overview: Meuse.