The best traffic-free bike rides around Flémalle

At the highest point of Helshoven, you can now enjoy a breathtaking view over the Haspengouw landscape. Artist Frits Jeuris has created a unique work of art from dozens of felled fruit trees from the area. “Helsh(ea)ven”, a wooden work of art consisting of 90 standard cherry trees, each fifty years old, was hit by the cherry plague virus at the end of 2016, a contagious plant disease that causes small fruits on cherries. Now the felled trees are getting a second life. The work of art symbolizes the dynamic landscape of Haspengouw.

This monumental piece of industrial heritage was once a chocolate factory. The architect of the factory was Florent Rosmeulen. He designed the Art Nouveau building with a large, striking rose window. Above the window is a relief with a squirrel. It was one of the first buildings in Belgium to be made of reinforced concrete. Chocolate was produced here until 1934. During the Second World War, the building was reused for military purposes, and in 1948 a loom manufacturer moved in. In the seventies, a metal foundry was established. Today, it is a residential area.

Tram ride departing from Haneffe Square

Part of the tram tour, here's the complete tour: https://www.komoot.com/fr-fr/highlight/8272846

Rosmeulen Castle is a historic country house and estate of great architectural and heritage value, located at Neremstraat 229 in Nerem, a sub-municipality of Tongeren. Dating back to the early 20th century, the building represents a unique combination of Neo-Rococo and Art Nouveau architecture, designed for chocolate and gingerbread manufacturer Florent Rosmeulen. Construction of the manor house, originally named La Brise, began around 1911, opposite the Rosmeulen chocolate factory. However, the founder himself never fully occupied the building, partly due to financial difficulties and the impact of the First World War. The building is situated amidst a romantic castle garden in the English landscape style, featuring ponds, lawns, mature trees, walking paths, and a walled vegetable garden, all contributing to the estate's unique atmosphere. The imposing entrance hall features a majestic staircase and stained-glass windows, while the exterior facades are richly ornamented with features such as bay windows, colonnades, and a round tower under a domed roof. During the First and Second World Wars, the castle was used by German and later American troops, respectively, reflecting its strategic location and the building's role during that time. After the war, the manor changed owners several times. Families such as Duesberg-Bossen Blijweert and Riskin lived there, and the Riskin family, in particular, carried out maintenance and renovation work for many years. In mid-2020, the castle was purchased by Dirk and Bie D'haese, who began a thorough restoration to restore the dilapidated building to its former glory. Their goal is not only to preserve the heritage but also to open the castle and park for use by associations and for events, with spaces such as a large hall of over 300 m² available. The castle is included in the Inventory of Immovable Heritage of Flanders for its architectural value, rich ornamentation, and its location in a historic park with a pond. Rosmeulen Castle, together with the former Rosmeulen chocolate factory and the surrounding landscape, forms a recognizable and valuable ensemble in Nerem with ties to the local industrial culture of the early 20th century, the social history of the region, and today's heritage conservation.

The former Rosmeulen chocolate factory in Nerem, a sub-municipality of Tongeren (Belgium), is a remarkable industrial heritage building with a rich history and striking architecture. The building was erected around 1908–1909 by Florent Rosmeulen, a chocolatier who produced chocolate, cocoa, and gingerbread there. It is one of the few industrial buildings in Limburg executed in the Art Nouveau style with characteristic details such as an impressive stained-glass window above the entrance and decorative references to cocoa and chocolate. The structure is among the first buildings in Belgium to be constructed with a reinforced concrete skeleton, which was progressive at the time and contributed to its robust industrial appearance. The factory experienced its heyday in the first decades of the 20th century but was severely impacted by the economic crisis of the 1930s. After reorganizations, the company went bankrupt in 1934, and production ceased. In the following decades, the building served various functions, being used by the military during World War II, then by other industrial enterprises such as a textile factory and a tin foundry, and later for cultural activities. After years of vacancy and decay, the former chocolate factory was repurposed from the mid-2010s into a residential and living complex. Under the name De Chocoladefabriek (The Chocolate Factory), the industrial monument is preserved and transformed into a residential project with lofts and apartments combined with communal spaces and gardens. The impressive Art Nouveau block, featuring a glass artwork approximately 6 meters wide, is one of the highlights of the renovation and one of the largest glass artworks in an industrial context in Flanders. The repurposing of the former chocolate factory has become an example of how historical industrial heritage can be integrated into a modern residential function. The project even received recognition with a prestigious real estate award for the way the old building was preserved and given new life. Today, the building not only commemorates the industrial history of the region but also serves as an architectural and social hub where living, heritage, and modern architecture converge, near the green nature reserve De Kevie and the former railway line.

Saint Evermarus is venerated in three places in Europe: in Borth, in Burtscheid near Aachen, and in Rutten, a small municipality belonging to Tongeren in Belgium. According to legend, Evermarus and his seven companions were slain here by the robber chief Hacco. This is said to have happened around the year 700, and his remains were discovered around 960. A small chapel was built on the site. Every year on May 1st, the patron saint's festival of Saint Evermarus is celebrated in Rutten. After a procession through the town, the so-called Martyrs' Play takes place, during which local actors reenact the story of the saint's life and death.

The builder of Rosmeulen Castle was Florent Rosmeulen, owner of the former gingerbread and chocolate factory across Neremstraat. He commissioned the castle's construction in 1913. Due to financial difficulties and theft, the interior was never completed. At the time of Florent Rosmeulen's death in 1943, the builder had never lived in his castle. During World War II, American soldiers were stationed in the castle. They used the building for housing and as a laundry. During the war, the castle was subject to vandalism by the soldiers, and afterward, civilians stole all kinds of useful materials. After World War II, the castle came into the hands of Hubert Duesberg-Bosson, who also bought the former chocolate factory across the street. He installed a textile machinery factory there. He used the castle as office space, a telephone room, a dining room, accommodation, and restrooms. Between 1966 and 1972, Luc Blijweert owned the castle, after which it passed into the hands of the Riskin family. Jean Riskin established a tin factory in the former chocolate factory. The castle underwent a thorough renovation, including a complete refurbishment of the ground floor, installation of electricity and central heating, construction of the swimming pool building and tunnel, and restoration of the gardens, ponds, and balustrades. Jean Riskin lived at Rosmeulen Castle for 44 years, from 1972 until his death in 2016. Unfortunately, the building and grounds were barely maintained after his death. In mid-2020, Dirk D'haese, a cardiologist active in the assisted living sector, purchased Rosmeulen Castle. Since then, the castle and grounds have undergone a thorough restoration and renovation.