Pays de Herve Plateau

Pays de Herve is a rural, low-hill region in eastern Wallonia, Belgium, centred on the town of Herve and characterised by pastoral farmland, orchards and small villages. It forms a distinct agricultural landscape between Liège and the German border.

The region is primarily agricultural and is strongly associated with dairy farming and local cheese production; rolling fields, hedged pastures and small family farms are dominant features. Local markets and farm shops are typical visitor interests for regional food and products.

Historically the area developed as a patchwork of small farms and villages with a long tradition of cheese-making and local agricultural fairs, a pattern that continues today in the form of artisanal food production and village markets.

Pays de Herve lies east of the city of Liège in the Wallonia region of Belgium and forms part of the transitional landscape between the Belgian plain and the higher Ardennes to the south.

• Culinary identity: The area is best known for dairy farming and the production of Herve cheese, which is the region’s most recognisable culinary product.

What to See#

• Herve (town): The small town of Herve is the historical center of the region and hosts local markets and cheese producers that serve the surrounding agricultural area.
• Aubel and local farms: Aubel and nearby villages contain dairy farms, local markets and roadside producers where regional cheeses and agricultural products are sold.

• Start your drive from the town of Herve and follow the local lanes rather than main roads to fully enjoy the rolling bocage landscape the area is known for.
• Plan visits to small, family-run fromage producers in advance-many welcome visitors but have limited hours, so check and book tasting visits where possible.
• Aim for spring or early autumn for the best countryside colours and quieter village lanes; avoid major Belgian public-holiday weekends if you want fewer visitors.