Mariembourg

Mariembourg is a small town in the municipality of Couvin, in the province of Namur, Wallonia. It lies close to the French border, between the Fagne and the wooded foothills of the Ardennes.

The town was created as a fortified settlement in 1546 on the orders of Mary of Hungary, sister of Emperor Charles V and governor of the Habsburg Netherlands. Its purpose was defensive: to strengthen the frontier against France. The new town was laid out around a central square with radiating streets and surrounded by bastioned fortifications. It was named in honour of Mary herself.

Despite being considered highly defensible, Mariembourg was captured by French forces in 1554 after only a few days of siege. Over the following centuries it changed hands several times before its fortifications were eventually dismantled in the nineteenth century.

Today, Mariembourg is better known as a gateway to the countryside south of Couvin. The Three Valleys steam railway departs from the town, while walking and cycling routes lead towards the Viroin valley, Chimay and the limestone hills and forests of the surrounding region.

For the Museum, Mariembourg is most relevant as the home of Brasserie des Fagnes, whose modern brewery sits just outside the historic centre and draws its identity heavily from the surrounding Fagne landscape.