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268 Route 30. FLEMALLE-HAUTE. From Litge
A pleasant road (cab, see p. 264) leads from Wyk to (71/, M.)
Valkenburg (p. 209) via the Rasberg (405 ft.; good views) and Berg,
where a road to Geulem (p. 210) diverges on the left.
Sream Tramways run from Maastricht to the S.W. to Tongeren (p. 434),
and also through the valley of the Jeker to (44 M.) Glons (p. 434). The latter
passes (41/2 M.) Canne, the Belgian frontier-station, on the W. verge of the
Petersberg, with the foundations of an old episcopal castle, a chateau
of 1698, and tbe grotto of Tiendenschuur (entr. in the Cannerbosch; no
guide). — Another Steam Tramway runs to the N., via (A!/2M.) Lanaeken
(steam-tramway to Tongeren, see p. 434), to (20 M.) Maeseyck (p. 209).
Railway to Aix-la-Chapelle, Hasselt, and Antwerp, see R. 15; to Venlo,
Nymwegen, and Rotterdam, see RR. 57, 56.
30. From Liége to Namur.
37/2 M. Rattway (Compagnie du Nord- Belge) in 1-2 hrs. (fares 5 fr. 70,
4 fr. 80, 2 fr. 85c.). This line is part of that from Cologne to Paris, via
Liege, Charleroi, and Maubeuge. The North Express (St. Petersburg to
Paris) and most of the other international fast trains start from the
Station des Guillemins (p. 245) at Liege; other trains start from the Station
de Longdoz.
This part of the valley of the Meuse is remarkably picturesque
and attractive. Bold cliffs, ruined castles, rich pastures, and
thriving villages are passed in uninterrupted succession, while
numerous coal-mines and manufactories with their lofty chimneys
bear testimony to the enterprising character of the inhabitants. The
whole district is densely peopled, the land well cultivated, and the
scenery pleasantly diversified with hop-gardens, corn-fields, mead-
ows, and (near Huy) vineyards (the only ones in Belgium), but
many of the prettiest points escape the railway-traveller. The
quarries on both banks yield excellent marble.
Liége, see p. 245. — The trains starting from the Station des
Guillemins follow the left bank of the Meuse via (3!'/)M.) Tilleur,
(5 M.) Jemeppe-sur-Meuse (branch to Hannut, p. 270), and (6 M.)
Flémalle-Grande. Those starting from the Station de Longdoz follow
the line on the right bank, used mainly for goods-traffic, via (41/) M.)
Ougrée, (5!/g M.) Seraing (p. 257), and (7 M.) Val-Saint-Lambert
(steam-tramway to Clavier, p. 270). All these places are pictur-
esquely situated, with numerous manufactories and coal-mines.
Val-St-Lambert was until the Revolution the seat of one of the
wealthiest Cistercian monasteries in the country, now succeeded by
one of the most important glass-works (p. 258). The two routes
unite at (71/2 M.) Flémalle-Haute, a considerable village.
Farther on, to the right, on a precipitous rock rising almost
immediately from the river, stands the chateau of Chokier, with its
red tower and massive walls, dating partly from the 18th century.
It is the ancient seat of the Surlet de Chokier family. Then, at
some distance from the river, on the right, the castle of Aigremont,
with its white walls, rising conspicuously on the crest of a lofty hill, |