Fort de Saint-Héribert

About the museum

Fort de Saint-Héribert is one of the large forts of the Namur fortified position, designed under the direction of General Henri-Alexis Brialmont. Built in concrete, with guns under armoured cupolas, forts of this type were largely constructed between 1888 and 1892. In August 1914 the fort escaped the heaviest howitzers: a bombardment by 15 cm howitzers lasted one afternoon, and the garrison surrendered on the evening of 24 August.

During the occupation the Germans reinforced some concrete ceilings with reinforced concrete. In the 1930s Belgium added underground galleries for ammunition and command, forced ventilation, generators and observation posts. In May 1940 the fort's artillery supported the French 9th Army during the Battle of the Meuse; on 21 May Captain L'Entrée surrendered the fort at noon, after the attack by the German 211th Division.

After the war the fort was stripped of its metal, then sold by the Ministry of Defence and abandoned. In April 2013 Émile Legros bought the site, by then overgrown woodland, and began clearing it with volunteers. The fort reopened for the centenary of the 1914 battles, from 2 to 4 August 2014. A small museum of about 30 m², opened in 2021, presents donations from soldiers' families and objects from both wars. The private foundation that maintains the fort organises guided visits, exhibitions and nature discovery.

Highlights

• Guided visit of the Brialmont fort, lasting about two hours
• Small museum on 1914-1918 and 1940-1945, with donations from soldiers' families
• Discovery of artists and permanent exhibitions
• Wooded natural site of 11 hectares (plants, trees, birds)
• Festival days with bar, beer tastings and performances

Permanent exhibitions

• Le fort et son musée – Visit of the Brialmont fort and a small museum on 1914-1918 and 1940-1945, with donations from soldiers' families, collectors' objects and soldiers' files.
• Site naturel du fort – Wooded site of 11 hectares with displays on plants, trees, birds and other animals.

Founded

2014

Operated by

Fondation privée Émile Legros

Admission & discounts

Payment in cash or by mobile payment (QR code); there is no Bancontact terminal and cheques are not accepted. Preferential rates do not apply to special activities (storytelling, workshops, birthdays). A €1 reduction is granted to staff of the Walloon Region and to firefighters of the Province of Namur on presentation of the “agent” card.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

People with reduced mobility or who walk with difficulty may exceptionally drive onto the site and be dropped off in front of the fort entrance; they must call in advance so that the team can manage the vehicles. Nothing has yet been arranged for visually or hearing-impaired visitors because of the ongoing works; a dedicated day can be organised on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Family pass at €30, free for under 6s. The fort offers special activities (storytelling, workshops) and visits by reservation for children's birthday parties, schools and team building.

Getting there & parking

Postal address: Chemin des Forts in Wépion, or no. 3 Chemin du Commandant L'Entrée; GPS coordinates 50.414061, 4.826658. From the Meuse valley, take the N951 towards Saint-Gérard, then rue Edouard Binamé, which continues as the Chemin des Forts. The fort is hard to find even with a GPS: plan the route in advance.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Small bar and light refreshments on opening days, with beer tastings and performances on some days. The historic shop “Au Bon Accueil” is located in Nil-Saint-Vincent, outside the site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit