About the village
The history of the Meuse village Leut is closely linked to the history of the castle Vilain XIIII, which dominates the village centre. As early as the Middle Ages, the castle (then a fortress) was inhabited by the ‘noblemen of Leut'. Over the centuries, the medieval moated castle with two moats and a drawbridge evolved into an open residential building with a fixed bridge over the remaining canal, surrounded by a grand park in English landscape style.
A stately lane connects the village square with the castle. This village square was recently renovated and given a greener look. In the shadows of St Peter's Church and a few beautiful lime trees, the villagers like to gather here for a chat or a game of petanque.
The Meuse has left its mark on everything you see in and around Leut: the typical street pattern of the hamlet Mazenhoven, the Meuse Crucifix in Vucht, old Meuse meanders and new wild nature along the Meuse. The combination of nature and culture make this area an absolute gem to explore on foot.
What is there to do?
Hiking
The area around Leut is ideal for exploring on foot. For those who like some help to get started, a few tips:
- Discover the Leut hiking region with the castle Vilain XIIII and the accompanying English-style landscape park, wild river landscape in the nature reserve ‘Maesbempdergreend – Mazenhoven’, the village square and the hamlet of Mazenhoven.
- Explore remarkable patrimonial sites and monuments with the FARO Heritage App (tour 'erfgoedwandeling Leut')
- The Tree Walk through the Castle Park. You can find the route in the pdf mentioned at the bottom of this page.
- Set off with a Meuse Explorer in tow.
Cycling
Thanks to the extensive cycling route network in Belgium and the Netherlands, you can create your own cycling route using junctions that are indicated in both directions. This way, you can decide which direction you want to go and how long your ride will be. Why not, during your bike ride, take a ferry to the other side of the river Meuse (via junction 50)? That way, cross-border cycling in the RivierPark Maasvallei becomes hassle-free. You join the cycling route network via junction 50. You can park in the village square in Leut (P13, at the end of Genieskensstraat). You can map out your cycling route using the cross-border map RivierPark Maasvallei.
Visits
- Vilain XIIII Castle
- Chapel of Mazenhoven
- Mine settlement area Eisden - village
- Meuse Crucifix in Vucht (between hiking switches 90 and 94 or the red or yellow hiking loops)
For more information and tips, please visit Tourism Maasmechelen.
