Baraque Michel

The Baraque Michel (German: Michelshütte) is a locality in the municipality Jalhay, in the High Fens, Wallonia.

The Baraque Michel was founded between 1811 and 1813 by Michel Schmitz, of Herbiester (a hamlet close to Jalhay), already as an inn, but also as refuge for stray travellers: a bell was sounded there during fog, which allowed the rescue of more than one hundred people during the 19th century.

The establishment was also used as relay for the mail coaches, that connected the two then Prussian towns of Eupen and Malmedy.

The direct connection was partly through Belgian territory, along the current N68 road.

Several rivers of Belgium, part of the basin of Vesdre, take their source in the vicinity.