The secrets of the Samson Valley in Faulx-Les Tombes: a castle and a Cistercian abbey

The Samson Valley is known for its picturesque landscape with many castles and natural heritage in the form of rocks and caves. It is often associated with a calm and peaceful environment. At least on weekends, when the many quarries are not active.

With this walk we discover some treasures in the upper part of the 16 km long course of the Samson. The Samson is not a river that you can follow along its banks . To see it you have to follow a route that occasionally crosses its course.

The walk is largely signposted with a green/white sign. We deviate for a moment to view the castle and the old bottling plant, two historical places in the region.

Start at the church of Faulx-les-Tombes, easily accessible from the E411 or N4. A little further on we cross the Samson for the first time. At the main road (N942) we turn right instead of straight ahead and deviate from the route for 2.3 km.

After a second crossing of the Samson we can follow the river for a while until the fairytale Chateau de Faulx appears, somewhat hidden behind the greenery and currently (2023) private property.

From here we follow the brook d'Arville to the abandoned installations of what used to be "Les Sources Minérales d'Arville" . The "grottes d'Arville" provided the mineral water that was bottled here. A little further on we return to the signposted route.

We pass a picnic area with a beautiful landscape before we 'dive' a little further into the forest on a ridge. A little further on we cross the Samson again at the place where the Cistercians built the abbey of Grandpré , of which now only the farm with monumental entrance gate remains.

We are now walking parallel to the Samson with beautiful views of the flanks of the valley . We return to the starting point via some village roads.

Be sure to consult the information about the sights once you are there . They explain what you will see!

11/2023