Mindful about the environment, the ValJoly Station has defined an environmental charter in cooperation
with the Avesnois Natural Park authorities. We offer a variety of tours and activities to help you discover
the natural richness of the site and teach you how to respect and care for the environment.
Free tour: Bird watching circuit
Un circuit d’interprétation d’environ 4km, consacré à la faune ornithologique du ValJoly vous permettra d’observer une multitude d’espèces. Quatorze stations donnent des explications sur la morphologie des oiseaux, leur chant, leur mode de vie et leur régime alimentaire. Le circuit est entièrement balisé, mais ne partez pas sans le fascicule de présentation disponible gratuitement à la Maison du ValJoly et à la base.
Duration : 3 hours
Departing from : Maison du ValJoly
Guided tours
Wednesday 27 April, 3pm: Introduction to bird-watching
It is nest-making time for the birds. Watch them at the Miroir lake.
Sunday 8 May, 3pm: The forest awakens
the woodland flowers make their apparition before the leaves and take advantage of the sunlight while it lasts.
Wednesday 8 June, 3pm: Tour of the dam
visit the inside and the outside of this feat of civil engineering. Learn about how it works.
Wednesday 13 July, 3pm: The Medicinal Herb Garden
visit the herb garden followed by an instructive nature walk in the countryside.
Saturday 23 July, 3pm: Tour of the dam
visit the inside and the outside of this feat of civil engineering. Learn about how it works.
Wednesday 27 July, 3pm: Discovery tour of Liessies village
this Avesnois village was shaped by a prestigious abbey. Discover its traces in a walk around the village.
Wednesday 3 August, 3pm: Discovery tour of Eppe-Sauvage village
the church, a 16th century house, a chronogram… and a walk along the Helpe Majeure.
Wednesday 10 August, 3pm: Aromatic herbs
Discover some of nature’s remedies for some common complaints.
Saturday 10 September, 3pm: The forest in autumn
Discover the palette of colours autumn brings to the forest.
Saturday 15 October, 6.30 pm: Dusk walk
a walk in the forest at nightfall, illuminatedby the setting sun (bring a torch nevertheless).
Wednesday 26 August, 3pm: Tour of the dam
visit the inside and the outside of this feat of civil engineering. Learn about how it works.
Wednesday 28 August, 3pm: Tour of the dam
visit the inside and the outside of this feat of civil engineering. Learn about how it works.
Duration : 2 hours
Group tours
• Activity "Orienteering and map-reading"
A special orienteering circuit, consisting of 20 markers, has been set up in 30 hectares of forest around ValJoly. During this activity you will learn how to use a compass and read a map in order to locate each of the markers. You cannot get lost, but be prepared for lots of fun as you wind your way among the trees.
Dates : from February to November (except on week-ends)
Departures : 9 AM - 11:30 AM or 2 PM - 4:30 PM
Numbers : 10 to 40 people from 12 years up
• Tour "discovering the birds of ValJoly"
On a 4 Km circuit, armed with binoculars and under the guidance of an experienced park ranger, discover the birdlife of ValJoly.
• Tour "Stages of development of a living species"
On the program: discovering the diversity of the living world and the frailty of the various natural habitats. Learn to classify and to protect plant and animal species.
• Tour "Reading the landscape"
Discover an environmental approach based on the local surroundings, an introduction to landscape planning and resource management.
• Tour "Impact of Man on its Environment"
Integrating human development in its natural environment, sustainable resource management.
Dates : from February to November (except on week-ends)
Departures : 9 AM - 11:30 AM or 2 PM - 4:30 PM
Numbers : 10 to 20 people, 3 age groups (6/8, 9/10 and 11/14 years)
Dates : from February to November (except on week-ends)
Departures : 9 AM - 11:30 AM or 2 PM - 4:30 PM
Numbers : 10 to 20 people, 3 age groups (6/8, 9/10 and 11/14 years)
Dates : from February to November (except on week-ends)
Departures : 9 AM - 11:30 AM or 2 PM - 4:30 PM
Numbers : 10 to 20 people, 3 age groups (6/8, 9/10 and 11/14 years)
Dates : from February to November (except on week-ends)
Departures : 9 AM - 11:30 AM or 2 PM - 4:30 PM
Numbers : 10 to 20 people, 3 age groups (6/8, 9/10 and 11/14 years)
Please arrive 15 minutes before the stated departure time.
By prior booking only: Maison du ValJoly - 03 27 61 83 76 - subject to cancellation if less than 10 people.
