Houx

Dominated by the imposing ruins of Poilvache, Houx is a charming little village nestled at the foot of a large rocky outcrop.
The village extends along a street that runs parallel to the Meuse and vertical streets that are stopped by the rock.
Separated from the road by a green wooded area, the village was heavily tested during the 2 world wars.

The village is composed of a dense residential area of mainly terraced houses, mostly built with limestone.
However, you can also see some houses whose shell dates from the 16th century, such as the school and the teacher's house, built around 1889.

Houx is a name of Germanic origin with the meaning: thornwood, rifle.

In 1830, Houx produces spelt, rye, oats, hay, potatoes and carrots.
In the orchards we find: apples, pears and plums.
The many trees that can be found in the village are used for the woodworking and heating.
The old quarry of Houx was exploited from the beginning of the 14th century to the end of the 18th century by the Wilmet family who lived in Yvoir.

The castle of Poilvache:

on top of a high rock, you can see the ruins of the old fortress of Poilvache. The foundation goes back to the years 1226-1228.

The following hypotheses are used for the origin of this name "Poilvache" (cow hair):

- The conquest of the castle would have been made possible by a stratagem of the inhabitants of Dinant: they disguised themselves under cowhides and thus allowed themselves to be smuggled in amidst a herd of live cows.

- The name is said to have been derived from a swear word Pillans-vacca ( Cattlefish ), because the inhabitants of the castle regularly went to steal cows from the farmers in the area, who belonged to the Prince-Bishopric of Liège

- The meadows near the village, where the farmers graze their cattle, were often ravaged by cold winds, causing the cows' hair to stand on end.

The castle was besieged, occupied and ruined by the Dinantais, in 1322. The inhabitants of Liège besieged the castle in 1430. After a strong resistance of 5 to 6 days, the occupation was stopped and the castle was demolished. Reconstructed, it was again razed to the ground by the French army in 1554. Of this old boulevard of feudalism, only a few remnants of underground tunnels, and a cut in the rock, 55 meters deep, can be seen.
Currently, the ruins belong to the Walloon Region and were registered as Exceptional Heritage in 1992.

Willem Vandenameele