Vielsalm
About this Place
Vielsalm is a small town in the province of Luxembourg, in the Belgian Ardennes. It sits in the Salm valley and is surrounded by wooded countryside, with the Lac des Doyards close to the town centre.
The town is particularly known for the Macralles du Val de Salm, a local witches’ folklore group founded in 1955. Each July, the Macralles hold a sabbath at Tienne-Messe before taking part in the following day’s Fête des Myrtilles, or blueberry festival.
The tradition draws on the local legend of Gustine Maka, an alleged witch whose story is closely tied to blueberries and the folklore of the Salm valley.
For beer visitors, Vielsalm is also associated with La Vieille Salme, whose beers make deliberate use of this local folklore.
Visitor notes
Vielsalm leans into its witch tradition rather charmingly. References to the Macralles appear around the town, including a statue of Gustine Maka, and there is even a dedicated walking route through the centre explaining the local legends.