Listed around 1343, the Meez estate was a fief belonging to the County of Namur. It comprised 32 acres of land and alleux, carrying a rent of 20 muids of spelt.

The name « Meez » appears in a document from 1295 in the form « Meis, » probably derived from the Latin « mansus, » meaning house, farm, or dwelling. The Roman villa actually consisted of several manses. The manse included a dwelling and a complete farm ¹.

As early as 747, the rural estate of Meez was referred to as the « Manso. » The current « Roman Road » located between Meez and Wespin is part of the ancient Roman road that ran from Bavay (France) to Trier (Germany) via Dinant. One can imagine the advantages of a settlement along the Roman road and near a town (Bouvignes, Dinant?) ².

The « grande cense de Meez » was located almost in the center of these lands. In the ancient language, « cense » means « farm. » In the Middle Ages, for several centuries, sheep farming in Bouvignes and the Wespin and Meez farms was an important source of income. Today, half of the buildings at the Ferme de Meez are used for residential purposes, while the other half is used for cattle breeding. ²
Although the Ferme de Meez has undergone numerous transformations, some of it is still old. The date 1613 can be read on a shield built into the porch. The current Meez farmhouse is a quadrangle of limestone rubble from the 17th and 19th centuries. The two-story dwelling appears to have been built in two phases during the second half of the 17th century. Its left side was extended by the addition of a stable on the ground floor and a dwelling upstairs, while on the right, stables under haylofts, contemporary with the dwelling, extend the latter. Other stables under haylofts occupy the east and south wings. To the west, two large barns occupy the space. One dates back to the 17th century, the other, parallel to it, was built of stone and brick in 1835.

Today, Bouvignes-sur-Meuse is now just a section of the municipality of Dinant. But in the past, it had the status of a town and belonged to the County of Namur. Located on the west bank of the Meuse, facing Dinant on the other side, it has long rivaled its neighbor. Its location on the border of the County of Namur made it a veritable barrier on the Meuse River against the Principality of Liège, on which the city of Dinant depended.

In the Middle Ages, Bouvignes developed at the foot of its church and its county castle, surrounding itself with walls, towers, and gates. The remains of the wall surrounding the old town and the ruins of Crèvecœur Castle demonstrate the strategic importance of the site. The Saint-Lambert Church and the Spanish House bear witness to its rich past.

Beyond its defensive role, Bouvignes experienced commercial development in activities such as coppersmithing, tanning, and ceramics. But after a series of conflicts and sieges, the city was destroyed and then rebuilt, never to have regained its medieval splendor. This is probably what has preserved its heritage.

Housed in the Spanish House, the Maison du patrimoine médievale mosan is a museum that traces the history of the Meuse Valley.

Clinging to its rocky outcrop, overlooking the City of Dinant, the Citadel has been converted into a weapons and history museum.

The Collegiate Church of Our Lady of Dinant: Around the year 320, Saint Materne is said to have built an oratory at the foot of the rocky spur overlooking the Meuse. The church, enlarged in the 7th century, was elevated to the rank of collegiate church by Bishop Richier in 934.

According to legend, the Rocher Bayard was broken in two by a blow from the hoof of the fabulous Bayard Horse ridden by the four sons of Aymon.

Dinant, La Voix Cuivrée. This is the city’s slogan in honor of Dinant resident Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone.

1. Toponymy of Bouvignes, dinant.be/patrimoine/toponymie/toponymie-de-bouvignes
2. Les Echos de Crèvecœur (Bouvignes Circle of History, Archaeology and Folklore) issue 32/2010 dedicated to the medieval region of Wespin.
3. The Monumental Heritage of Belgium, Volume 22, 1, Namur, Arrondissement of Dinant, by Belgium. Ministry of the Walloon Region.