Very good, cheap and very friendly welcome. Thank you, because for my first time kayaking, I love it. I recommend it. See you next time 👍🙂
17,183Inhabitants
14,756 haArea
10Municipal sections
1stCattle market in Europe
2,000Passengers/day (station)
90+Condrolys companies
Gallery
Ciney in pictures
6 photographs · Ciney, Condroz, Namur Province
Origins & Myths
History of Ciney: From the Five Born to the Queen of the Condroz
Ciney, whose name comes from "CHYNQ NEYS" (five born in old French), has been weaving a complex history since the 11th century between hagiographic legends, devastating feudal conflicts, and heritage resilience.
The legend of the Five Born & Saint Maternus
Initially named Halloy, the locality belonged to King Cedros of Tongeren, who gifted it to Prince Clément. The latter built a castle there where his wife gave birth to five twin sons. Amazed, the prince renamed his village "CHYNQ NEYS".
Tragedy struck when the children drowned in the river. Saint Maternus intervened: in exchange for the prince's Christian faith, he resurrected the five children and baptized them. In gratitude, Clément transformed his castle into a church dedicated to Notre-Dame.
"The coat of arms of Ciney – five beardless faces of silver on azure – is a daily reminder of this founding miracle."
The 10 municipal sections
| Section | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Ciney (Center) | Administrative, commercial and educational hub; historical center |
| Achêne | Major road junction; business zone undergoing renovation |
| Braibant | Preserved rural setting, gateway to the Meuse valley |
| Chevetogne | Provincial estate; international tourist hub |
| Conneux | Religious architectural heritage and square farms |
| Leignon | Dynamic village center with local train station |
| Pessoux | Strong rural character, excellent agricultural lands |
| Serinchamps | Hilly landscapes and forest natural heritage |
| Sovet | Ridge village – panoramic views over the Condroz |
| Chapois | Hamlet linked to historical railway activity |
Medieval conflict
The War of the Cow (1272-1278)
In 1275, during a tournament in Andenne, a peasant from Jallet named Engorant attempted to sell a stolen cow to Rigaud de Corbion, a bourgeois of Ciney. His summary execution triggered an all-out war between the County of Namur (Guy of Dampierre) and the Principality of Liège, drawing in Luxembourg and Brabant.
The arbitration of the King of France Philip III the Bold ended the conflict in 1278, with no territorial advantage for either side — but resulting in a catastrophic human and material toll.
1275Conflict origin
~60Villages destroyed
15,000Estimated deaths
4Powers involved
6 yearsConflict duration
1278Royal peace
Architectural heritage
The Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame – 7 bell towers, 10 centuries
The beating heart of the city on Place Monseu, the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption embodies Ciney's resilience: destroyed multiple times, rebuilt taller each time.
11th C. Romanesque foundations
Tower with 3.60 m thick walls at the base – probable original military function. 1975 excavations: cannonballs in the foundations. Semicircular crypt rediscovered in 1928, housing a Merovingian sarcophagus.
11th century · Condroz limestoneArtistic treasures
12th-century baptismal fonts (feline heads with vegetative jaws). 16th-century Saint Eligius altarpiece (3 carved panels). Baroque statues by Arnold de Hontoire (1650-1709). Schijven grand organ from 1872 (modernized in 1950, registers hidden during WWII).
Mosan Art · Liège BaroqueThe tornado of July 14, 2010
A tornado tears off the spire of the bell tower, which collapses into the nave. Major structural damage. Closed for worship for 7 years. Over 3.5 million euros in restoration.
2010 Natural disasterRebirth: the 7th bell tower (2017-2018)
New bell tower installed on May 16, 2017 before a huge crowd. Official reopening on September 9, 2018 following interior restoration in a stripped-back Romanesque style — the seventh bell tower of its turbulent history.
Reopened Sept. 2018Economy & Development
Ciney, economic locomotive of the Condroz
From Europe's first cattle market to the rapidly expanding Condrolys park, Ciney generates an economic dynamic that shines far beyond its municipal borders.
Cattle market – 1st in Europe
26 ha (including 9 ha of parking). Every Friday since the 14th C. ~1,600 animals/session in 2024. Sets prices for the Belgian cattle market. Construction cost: 457M BEF (1985). Photovoltaic project underway.
Biron, Ciney · FridayCondrolys – 90+ companies
Former Biron-Lienne zoning. 51 ha extension underway (BEP). Goal: +100 companies, 750 to 1,000 new jobs. ORES: €8M & 53 km of HV cables in 2025. Agri-food dominance (Wama Beef, Toufrais, Ronveaux).
51 ha extensionNew train station inaugurated 2025
Inaugurated July 3, 2025 · €3.5M · line 162 (Bxl-Luxembourg). ~2,000 passengers/day. PRM accessible. 90-space bicycle parking. Old 1977 station: demolished for a green esplanade. ETCS modernization Ciney-Haversin by Infrabel.
Inaugurated July 2025Urban Boulevard 2026
€5.5M (90% ERDF + Region). Avenue Schlögel & Rue Saint-Gilles. Greening against urban heat islands. Bike paths & safe sidewalks. Chapois ↔ Ciney-center bike connection.
2026 ConstructionCattle market evolution
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Weekly volume (2020) | 1,570 animals/session |
| Weekly volume (2024) | ~1,600 animals/session |
| Breakeven point | 1,600 animals |
| Site area | 26 hectares (incl. 9 ha parking) |
| Belgian livestock 1992-2022 | -33% (1 out of 3 animals disappeared) |
| European rank | 1st cattle market in Europe |
| Pricing role | Reference for Belgium & Northern Europe |
| Frequency | Every Friday since the 14th century |
Tourism & Nature
Chevetogne Estate & Park Fairy Tales
Two pillars of Ciney tourism: the Chevetogne Provincial Estate, a four-season green lung, and the Park Fairy Tales (Les Féeries du Parc), one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Belgium.
🌲 Chevetogne Estate
Landscaped park of the Chevetogne municipal section, open all year round.
- 5 marked trails (1 to 15 km): medicinal plant gardens, rhododendrons, ponds
- Outdoor swimming pools · 9-hole disc golf · Equestrian center · Playgrounds
- MHiN – Natural History Museum
- NEM – Nature Extraordinary Museum
- Castle escape game · Glamping available
- Seasonal pricing ("Leisure Days" / "Fun Days")
🎄 Park Fairy Tales
Voted Walloon Christmas City multiple times. 3 long weekends in December in the Saint-Roch Park, managed by the NPO Ciney Féérique.
- 300 exhibitors in wooden chalets (80% artisans)
- Walk of giant fir trees · Venetian costumes · Santa's house
- Ice rink on Place Monseu (Center Fairy Tales)
- Tens of thousands of visitors over 3 long weekends
Terroir & Flavors
Gastronomy & Ciney specialties
From the beer born in 1980 to the macaroon tart without pastry cream, Ciney celebrates its local products through lively brotherhoods and a deeply rooted dining culture.
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Macaroon Tart | Strict traditional pastry specialty (without pastry cream). Defended by the Royal Brotherhood of the Franc Thour and the Order of Gentle Ladies (the only female brotherhood of this kind in Belgium). |
| Ciney Beer | Created in 1980. Blonde (7% vol.): notes of pear & banana. Brown: caramel & lingering bitterness. Brewed by Alken-Maes. World-renowned. |
| Ciney / Huy Cheese Ball | Lean and pungent soft cheese, typical of the Condroz and Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse regions. |
| Stephen Destrée Biscuits | Fine pastry of international renown, produced in Leignon. |
Historical landmarks
Timeline of Ciney
11th century
Origins & Legend of the Five Born
Romanesque foundations of the Collegiate Church. Saint Maternus and the miracle of the resurrection of the five children. Baptism of Prince Clément.
Founding legend1272-1278
War of the Cow
~60 villages destroyed, ~15,000 dead. Namur vs Liège over a cow. Arbitration by Philip III of France.
Devastating feudal conflict1534
Three official fairs
Medieval commercial development. Lombard merchants present since the 14th century.
1710
Adoption of the current coat of arms
Five beardless silver faces in saltire on azure. Abandonment of the medieval coat of arms (gate and potale).
Municipal heraldry1858
Arrival of the railway
Rise of the cattle market: breeders export their animals well beyond the Condroz. 1880: horses lined up for over 2 km in the streets.
1977
Biron covered market
Construction of the first covered cattle market in Europe. Cost: 457M BEF. 26 hectares. Open every Friday.
1st in Europe1980
Creation of Ciney Beer
Initiative of passionate local brewers. Blonde (7%) and Brown. World-renowned. Brewed by Alken-Maes.
July 14, 2010
Tornado – bell tower collapses into the nave
The spire of the Collegiate Church collapses. Major structural damage. Closed for worship.
Natural disasterMay 16, 2017
Installation of the 7th bell tower
Before a massive crowd, the seventh bell tower in the history of the Collegiate Church is put in place after 7 years of silence.
Ciney resilienceSeptember 9, 2018
Official reopening of the Collegiate Church
Complete interior restoration in a stripped-back Romanesque style. Return to the faithful.
July 3, 2025
Inauguration of the new train station
€3.5M · ~2,000 passengers/day · PRM accessible · 90-space bike parking. Old 1977 building demolished for green esplanade.
Modern mobility2026
Urban Boulevard – €5.5M (90% ERDF)
Greening, bike paths, Chapois-Ciney connection. Avenue Schlögel & Rue Saint-Gilles.
Soft mobilityFrequently Asked Questions
Questions about Ciney
Why is Ciney named this way?
The name "Ciney" comes from "CHYNQ NEYS" (five born in old French), a hagiographic legend linked to Saint Maternus. According to the story, Prince Clément renamed his village this way after the birth of five twin sons. These children drowned and were resurrected by Saint Maternus, who then baptized the prince. The current coat of arms (five beardless faces on azure) commemorates this founding miracle.
What is the War of the Cow in Ciney?
The War of the Cow (1272-1278) opposed the County of Namur to the Principality of Liège after the theft of a cow from a bourgeois of Ciney in 1275 and the summary execution of the thief. The conflict led to the destruction of about 60 villages and approximately 15,000 deaths. It concluded with the arbitration of the King of France Philip III the Bold, with no territorial advantage for either side.
Does Ciney really have the first cattle market in Europe?
Yes. The covered market of Ciney (Biron), open every Friday, is recognized as the first cattle market in Europe. It spans 26 hectares and handled ~1,600 animals per session in 2024. It plays a role as a price setter for the entire Belgian cattle market and part of Northern Europe. Its origins date back to the 14th century.
When did the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame in Ciney reopen after the tornado?
The tornado of July 14, 2010, tore off the bell tower of the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, which collapsed into the nave. After seven years of work, the new bell tower (the 7th in its history) was installed on May 16, 2017. The church officially reopened on September 9, 2018, following a complete interior restoration.
What to visit in Ciney?
In Ciney, do not miss the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame (11th-century crypt, 1872 organ), the Chevetogne Provincial Estate (hiking, MHiN/NEM museums, swimming pools), the Friday cattle market in Biron (1st in Europe), and the Park Fairy Tales in December (award-winning Christmas market). Gastronomy-wise: the Macaroon Tart, Ciney Beer (Blonde 7%), and the Ciney/Huy cheese ball.
How to get to Ciney by train?
Ciney is served by line 162 (Brussels – Luxembourg). The brand-new station, inaugurated on July 3, 2025 (€3.5M), welcomes ~2,000 passengers/day. It is accessible to PRMs and equipped with a secure bicycle parking lot for 90 bikes. Infrabel is modernizing the tracks towards Haversin (ETCS standard).
What is the Condrolys business park in Ciney?
Condrolys is the economic activity park of Ciney-Hamois. It hosts over 90 companies (agri-food, agricultural machinery, veterinary equipment...). A 51-hectare extension is underway to accommodate ~100 additional companies and generate 750 to 1,000 new jobs. In 2025, ORES invested €8M there for 53 km of high-voltage cables.
In summary
Ciney: a resilient and ambitious capital
Ciney is not just a town to pass through. It is a hub of stability and innovation in the heart of a rural Wallonia in full transformation. Between the legend of the Five Born and the modernization of its infrastructure, the city has managed to find a rare balance.
Its cattle market remains the economic lung of an agricultural sector of excellence. Condrolys testifies to a genuine industrial ambition. The reconstruction of its Collegiate Church after the 2010 tornado remains the strongest symbol of Ciney's resilience: to rise again, rebuild taller, without ever forgetting the five founding beardless faces.
Official site of Ciney
Chevetogne Estate