Felenne

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Course de Côte de Felenne – List of Winners

Date	Winner		Car	Time	Final
02/06/1991	Hervé Bayard		Ralt RT30	3:08,37	Results
07/06/1992	Hervé Bayard		Ralt RT30	3:12,59	Results
06/05/2001	Jean Schmits		Ralt F3000	2:31,09	Results
26/05/2002	Jacques Marchal		Norma M17	2:55,24	Results
11/05/2003	Jean Schmits		Ralt F3000	2:36,12	Results
09/05/2004	Jean Schmits		Ralt F3000	1:13,08	Results
29/05/2005	Jean Schmits		Ralt F3000	2:22,96	Results
07/05/2006	Jean Schmits		Ralt F3000	2:25,73	Results
03/06/2007	Jean Schmits		Ralt F3000	2:24,45	Results
01/06/2008	Jean Schmits		Ralt F3000	1:12,91	Results
14/06/2009	Jean Schmits		Ralt F3000	1:12,27	Results
05/06/2010	Jacques Marchal		Norma M17	1:13,20	Results
15/05/2011	Jacques Marchal		Norma M20F	1:11,50	Results
10/06/2012	Georges Hubert		Norma M20	1:12,02	Results
09/06/2013	Jelle de Coninck		Norma M20F	1:26,77	Results
18/05/2014	Jelle de Coninck		Norma M20F	1:18,17	Results
07/06/2015	Anthony Loeuilleux		Tatuus Master	1:21,58	Results
05/06/2016	Jacques Marchal		Norma M20F	1:26,32	Results
11/06/2017	Anthony Loeuilleux		Tatuus Master	1:21,07	Results
14/04/2019	Anthony Loeuilleux		Tatuus Master	1:22,13	Results

The Namur Ardennes in southern Belgium hold three hillclimbs within 30 kilometres of eachother. They are Felenne, Houyet and Vencimont. Although close to eachother they all lie in different muncipalities, Felenne being part of Beauraing. The area around Beauraing is not nearly as forested as that around Vencimont, although Felenne itself is surrounded by them.
Beauraing is wellknown for being a place for Catholic pilgrimage. In 1932 and 1933 five children saw apparitions of the Virgin Mary. In 1949 the Church recognized the visions as authentic. Since then a large sanctuary has been build celebrating the Virgin of the Golden Heart, or simply Our Lady of Beauraing.
The Felenne Hillclimb starts right up to the border with France. You would expect that to be a southern border, but it is actually a western. This is because France owns a large part of the Meuse Valley. On a map it looks like a large tentacle is reaching into the Belgium. The most northern part of this French ‘peninsula’ is at Givet. This town came into French possesion in 1678. The new rulers immediately set about to renovate the 16th century Fort de Charlemont which held a strategic place in the region. Today the Fort still exists, but the skyline is actually dominated by a large nuclear plant.
Felenne is located some 30 kilometres to the southeast of Dinant. This fortified town was a centre point in many wars. Dinant is currently situated near the French border, but in medieval times it had a fierce rivalry with Namur. In the First World War there was also heavy fighting in the small city. When the Germans finally captured the town they shot 674 citizens. The major landmarks of the city include the citadelle, build by the Dutch in the 1820s, and the Notre Dame Church. Another curious landmark in Dinant is the Bayard. This is a tall pointy rock, literally in the middle of a road. It is part of the legend of the Four Sons of Aymon. This centuries old tale describes the adventures of four brothers who come into conflict with Charlemagne. The brothers have to flee and aided by their magical horse Bayard they embark on a series of adventures. The story of The Four Sons of Aymon still plays an important role in the folklore of the Ardennes. There can still be found many statues, monuments, parades and traditions relating to the legend in the whole region. For example, as you might have noticed the organizing club is called Ecurie Bayard. The Bayard Rock in Dinant is said to have been created when the magical horse Bayard jumped the Meuse River. He used the rockformations to launch off, thereby splitting them in two.