D5 - Boiserie - 6km

Parking and departure at the Moulin de Daverdisse.

The Moulin de Daverdisse was a feudal mill. Villagers were required to grind their grain at the Lord’s mill in exchange for a fee. It ceased operations in 1914. The creation in 1908 of the Wellin–Graide local railway (steam-powered and later diesel-powered, running until 1950 for Graide and 1955 for Daverdisse) was expected to bring new life to the establishment.

In 1923, a pharmacist from Charleroi and his family were the first to stay overnight at the mill. Tourism did the rest, and colorful characters sometimes appeared, such as the eight Persians who, during the Roaring Twenties, arrived several times for astonishing gourmet weekends.

An amusing detail about the meadow bordering the last bend in the road that descends from the village: it is called Charée aux Nouvelles. In the 1940s, the mailman still did not climb the switchbacks up to the village. Children waited for the mail in this meadow, which is how it got its name.

The walk crosses the Boiseri stream and then follows it upstream to its source. The woods are impressive! Renauchamp is thought to be a name of Celtic origin. It is said that in the Ardennes forest, on Midsummer Night, the neighing of Bayard can still be heard, like a living reproach before eternity, addressed to the Christian emperor, enemy of the Celtic gods…

The Sommière de Wellin brings to mind more recent dreams. Who would imagine that as late as 1888, ten charcoal-burning platforms here were producing charcoal and filling the valley with smoke?

There is also a slightly nostalgic thought for the little steam tram that scattered sparks all around, setting the brush on fire. The return path, along the Almache, overlooks the former railway line.