Gnomes - Achouffe, Belgium
N 50° 09.313 E 005° 47.010
31U E 698828 N 5559598
Gnomes Achouffe
Waymark Code: WM10Q9R
Location: Luxembourg, Belgium
Date Posted: 06/10/2019
Views: 2
The picturesque village of Achouffe is hidden deep in the fairy valley, where once in a while a cheerful gang of "nutons" (gnomes) walks around. Achouffe is located at the end of the fairy valley at the confluence of the Martin-Moulin and Chevral streams, and is one of the most charming villages in the region. As a pre-eminent tourist village, Achouffe is proud of its church and brewery.
The legend of the Nutons: These typical Ardennes dwarf characters lived in a cave (like the dwarf cave on the road from La Roche to Houffalize), and had a tunnel that led to the Notre-Dame de Fôret chapel, between Taverneux and Sommerain. During the night the gnomes repaired the shoes of the people of Houffalize. Hence the popularity of Houffalize as a "dwarf city". In 1807, two conscientious objectors from the region sought shelter in the cave. They were shoemakers. At night the inhabitants of the region left their broken shoes and some food at the entrance of the cave. Their shoes were repaired the next day. Another legend tells that one day a cowherd from the village chained a strange white heifer because she had been trying all day long to drive his herd out of the valley. The heifer said: «My dear husband, take your herd to another place. My fairy sisters are deeply sad because their flowers are trampled. Open your bag and you will see that it is filled with gold chips, but never come back ». Since then, the rich cowherd has been watching over the fact that the valley, full of flowers as if by a miracle, remains the domain of the fairies forever. The fairy valley can only be reached on foot.
Exhibit Type: Figure, Statue, 3D Art
Time Period: Not listed
Approximate Date of Epic Period: Not listed
Epic Type: Not listed
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