Fourneau Saint-Michel, hamlet and open-air museum in Belgium
Fourneau Saint-Michel is an open-air museum and protected heritage site featuring a restored late 18th-century furnace beside the Masblette stream set within rural Wallonia. The grounds span over 40 hectares and display more than 20 historical buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries, including dwellings, a school, a chapel, and workshops that demonstrate rural life in different Ardennes regions.
The furnace was built around 1771 by monks from Saint-Hubert Abbey and was one of the most advanced metalworking installations in the country at that time. After the monks were forced to leave in 1797, private owners operated the forge for generations, producing metal goods and farm tools until the 20th century.
The name refers to the old furnace once run by monks from the nearby abbey, connecting the site to local religious and industrial traditions. Walking through the grounds, you notice how the buildings and tools reflect the importance of metalworking and rural crafts in shaping community life for generations.
The museum grounds spread across a large area best explored on foot, so wear comfortable shoes as the paths are uneven and cover multiple zones. The site has two restaurants on location, making it practical to spend several hours exploring the different buildings and displays.
The site features original buildings relocated from historical locations across the region to reconstruct an authentic Ardennes village rather than preserve a single monument. It also houses an exhibition dedicated to Pierre-Joseph Redouté, a renowned artist famous for detailed botanical paintings, revealing an unexpected cultural connection to the area.
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