Gros-Fays: A Charming Ardennes Village

Gros-Fays is one of the officially recognised Plus Beaux Villages de Wallonie (Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia). It lies on a hillside sloping down to the Semois, and although it belongs administratively to the municipality of Bièvre, it is within cycling or walking distance of Bohan. Anyone wishing to see the Ardennes as they looked centuries ago — slate houses, wooded hills, old smithies and quiet church squares — will find Gros-Fays the perfect place.

What makes Gros-Fays one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia?

The village bears the ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ label thanks to its exceptionally well-preserved architecture. The houses are built from schist (slate) from local quarries, in the typical Ardennes ‘ferme-bloc’ style — a low-rise, deep farmhouse with a wide sloping roof, designed to withstand the cold Ardennes winters. The grey tones of the slate, the flower boxes in summer and the winding village streets make Gros-Fays a picturesque sight.

Places of interest in and around Gros-Fays

Although the village is small, it is rich in heritage. Highlights include the 17th-century Ferme-Château (castle farm), the village church, the old brewery, the mill and various tobacco drying sheds that bear witness to the Semois’ tobacco heritage. On the outskirts of the village, old slate quarries serve as a reminder of the mining activity that once took place here. In the centre, you’ll find the cosy Café Lallemand for a break.

Discover the Semois Tobacco Trail

Walking from Gros-Fays

A 2 km interpretive walk starts from the centre, featuring information panels that explain the architectural, landscape and historical features of the village — ideal for an initial exploration. For a more challenging walk, the 9.5 km Laforêt–Gros-Fays trail is highly recommended: a route linking two of the Plus Beaux Villages through oak forests, with views of the Semois valley. An annual event, the Féeries de Gros-Fays, takes place in November: an evening market featuring crafts in the village’s illuminated streets. View walks that pass through or near Gros-Fays.

Discover the local markets and activities near Gros-Fays.

Gros-Fays from Bohan

By car, it takes about 20 minutes to get to Gros-Fays from your holiday home in Bohan. For walkers, the village is a wonderful destination via marked trails through the woods. Allow half a day: time for the interpretive walk, a spot on a terrace, and perhaps a walking route to Laforêt for those who want to see more.

Check out other villages around Bohan.