The municipality of Lasne, which was the wealthiest in our country in 2004, owes its name to the river of the same name, which means 'flat'. However, it is not flat here; a hilly course awaits.

Text and photo Guido Elias

Chic villas, stately farmhouses, green hills, vast fields, numerous wide country lanes, and beautiful chapels next to a wonderfully sleepy village color this route. Sometimes you also have to brave cobblestones. Meeting at the Église Sainte-Gertrude in the center of Lasne. Across from the church is a spacious parking area, and you can park for free in the back. Walk from the parking lot to the main road and turn left. The first few hundred meters of this varied walk go straight through the center along the N271/Rue de l’Église, past shops and restaurants, but soon it becomes much quieter. However, be careful along the way because some passages do not have a sidewalk.

The route

Meeting at the Place d’Azay-le-Rideau at the Église Sainte-Gertrude (V). After a few hundred meters, you arrive at a roundabout, turn left into Rue de la Gendarmerie. The road climbs, and after 400 m you will turn right sharply upwards along the cobblestone road Tienne de Renival. At the Place de Renival, where numerous roads converge, continue right along the Route de Beaumont. After 300 m (sign La Source), take the right onto the narrower Rue de Caturia, which you follow for about 900 m. Right onto Rue Haute and then immediately at the fork go left onto Rue des Tiennes. After 500 m, turn back right onto the Route de Beaumont. Be careful here, there is usually a narrow sidewalk, further on a wider grassy verge, and moderate traffic. Follow this winding, initially ascending road for 2 km. After a while, you will reach a plateau with a wide view. Keep following and at an intersection, with a rock in the middle of a small roundabout, continue left. You are now in Céroux-Mousty. Head towards the center, past an intersection and at the sign École/Place Communale turn left. This is a beautiful large square right in front of the church Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours (1) and the town hall. Here, time has stood still! Continue right past the Town Hall to Rue Bois-Henri, then turn left and after about 200 m at the fork go left onto Chemin Damoiseau, a field road (note: also leads to the right), you will reach Rue de Moriensart, go right here. Follow that for a considerable time. Initially, the road is paved (ignore to the left the private road to the farm/event hall), which later becomes a field road. Further ahead at the fork, go left (still Rue de Moriensart). After 200 m you will see on the left Ferme de Moriensart (2) with an imposing tower, the remnant of a castle. Now turn right and continue along the road. At an intersection, ignore the Grand Chemin, go straight for a bit and then immediately after 50 m turn right onto Rue de Moriensart (note: straight ahead is also Rue de Moriensart, ignore that!). Continue straight until Route d’Ottignies. Turn left here and follow this road for 1.5 km, ignoring side roads. Then turn left into Rue du Culot, with a white-painted square farmhouse (3) and built-in chapel at the corner. The road climbs first, then turns and further on at the chapel (to the right) turn left, the road is now descending, goes past ponds, and ends after about 1.2 km at Rue de la Gendarmerie. Turn right to the roundabout and there turn right back to the starting point.