Villers-le-Gambon

## Overview Villers-le-Gambon is a small village in the municipality of Philippeville, located in the province of Namur in the Wallonia region of southern Belgium. Nestled in the rolling countryside of the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse area, this public drinking spring sits at approximately 50.2°N, 4.5333°E, within a landscape shaped by the region's characteristic limestone geology. The Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse plateau is known for its numerous natural springs, fed by rainwater filtering through layers of Devonian and Carboniferous limestone — a process that can naturally enrich the water with minerals. Philippeville itself is a historic fortified town founded in 1555 by Charles V of Spain, and the surrounding villages, including Villers-le-Gambon, have long relied on natural springs as sources of fresh water. Public drinking springs like this one have traditionally served both local residents and travelers passing through the Belgian Ardennes foothills. ## Directions 1. From the center of Philippeville, head south toward Villers-le-Gambon. The village is located roughly 5 km south of Philippeville along local roads. 2. Follow signs toward Villers-le-Gambon (the village is part of the commune of Philippeville, postal code 5600). 3. Once in the village, look for the public spring — in many Belgian villages of this type, communal springs are found near the village center or along a main road, often marked with a small stone fountain or spout. 4. GPS coordinates for reference: 50.2000°N, 4.5333°E. Using a GPS device or mapping app to navigate directly to these coordinates is recommended. *Note: These directions are approximate and based on the GPS coordinates and regional geography. Visitors are encouraged to confirm the exact location using a navigation app before setting out.* ## What to Expect Villers-le-Gambon is a quiet, rural Belgian village surrounded by farmland and patches of woodland typical of the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse region. The spring is listed as a public drinking spring, and has historically been used as a local water source. The area's limestone bedrock means the water may have a naturally mineral character, though no specific water quality data is currently available for this site. The terrain around Philippeville and its surrounding villages is gently hilly, with elevations typically between 200 and 300 meters. The countryside is pleasant for walking and cycling, and visitors to the spring may wish to explore the wider area, which includes forests, rural footpaths, and the historic center of Philippeville with its star-shaped fortress layout. As with any natural spring, water conditions can vary with the seasons — flow may be stronger after periods of rain and reduced during dry summer months. While the spring is designated as a public drinking source, water quality can fluctuate, and visitors should be aware that no guarantee of potability can be made at any given time.