Ruins of Poilvache
5km north of Dinant, the ruins of the castle of Poilvache (lit. "hair + cow") date from the 13th to 15th centuries.
The extensive medieval fortress was one of the largest of the Meuse valley.
This castle was not the property of an independent lord, but that of the provostship of Poilvache, that is to say a medieval military, judicial and administrative centre. It was in other words it was a "State fortress".
The land of Poilvache was first mentioned in 1228 as the possession of Waleran de Montjoie and his wife Isabelle de Bar, Count and Countess of Luxembourg. In 1343, Marie of Artois, Countess of Namur, acquires the castle and provostship from John the Blind, Count of Luxembourg and King of Bohemia.
Poilvache was sieged several times, and was destroyed in 1430 by the militia of the Prince-bishop of Liege. However, the provostship survived as an administrative entity during the Burgundian, Spanish and Austrian period until the French Revolution.
Poilvache is open from 10:30am to 6:30pm everyday in July and August and on weekends only from April to June and September to the end of October. Admission is free.
How to get there
Poilvache is located just a few kilometres north of Dinant.
Coming by car from Brussels or Namur, take the E411 and exit for Spontin (exit 19). Follow the road to Yvoir (10km) and take the small country road on the lefthand-side when your reach the village of Evrehailles for 2 more km.
The nearest train station is Yvoir (a few km away) on the Brussels-Namur-Dinant line.
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