The Fondry des Chiens is an impressive natural sinkhole located east of Nismes, in the municipality of Viroinval, Belgium. Nestled in the heart of the Calestienne region, this exceptional site is distinguished by its unique limestone relief, the result of thousands of years of erosion, as well as its rare and diverse flora.
Galerie photos
Dorian Claeys, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Dorian Claeys, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Boerkevitz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
History & Formation
The Fondry des Chiens is the result of chemical erosion of limestone caused by the combined action of wind and water. Over thousands of years, this erosion has carved out a 20-meter-deep gorge that opens onto an open plateau, offering spectacular scenery. This type of terrain, rich in limestone, was also exploited in the past for iron ore mining, marking a period of human activity in the region.
A protected natural site
Classified as a nature reserve, the Fondry des Chiens has been part of the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse National Park since 2022 and is recognized for its biological interest. The site, nicknamed “Le Tienne Sainte-Anne et le Fondry des Chiens,” is home to specific vegetation due to the nature of its limestone soil. This shallow, permeable soil warms easily, creating a microclimate favorable to the development of rare plant species, including orchids and globularia. This natural environment attracts southern and continental plants that are not found elsewhere in the region.
