Bouillon is a dynamic town that is popular with tourists, thanks to its famous and magnificent medieval castle. It’s waiting to show you all its treasures!

If you are staying in the province of Luxembourg, you don’t want to miss this place. A visit to the castle of Bouillon, the stronghold of the famous Godfrey of Bouillon, will provide you with a wealth of information about medieval life. The castle remains are an impressive sight and you will also find entertainment, medieval festivals and falcon shows. Something to fascinate and delight young and old alike! If you enjoy walking, horse riding or cycling, take the opportunity to discover the magnificent green landscapes of the beautiful Semois valley.

Exceptional panoramic views

In this corner of the Ardennes, nature offers you stunning viewpoints that are listed as part of Wallonia's cultural heritage. For starters, the Giant's Tomb in Botassart, one of the most famous and photographed views in Belgium, will take your breath away with its beauty and the legend behind it! The Frahan viewpoint in Rochehaut is also impressive and offers a beautiful walk through the protected woodland.

Still want more? Bouillon also offers a wide range of activities including kayaking, canoeing, go-karting, a wildlife park and an archaeoscope. Unforgettable moments await you!

Copyright Photos : Martin Dellicour

Copyright Photos : Visit Ardenne

In the unofficial capital of the Gaume, watched over by the church of Saint Lawrence, you can not only learn about its history, which was particularly turbulent during the First World War, but also experience its nature walks, Canadian totem pole and museum on the Gaume region.

Surrounded by fantastic sights such as Orval Abbey and picturesque villages such as Chassepierre, Virton is a little treasure trove for those who love following paths winding through lush and peaceful natural environments. That’s certainly the best way to experience Virton, unless you’d prefer to learn about the cultural identity of the Gaume at the Musée Gaumois, which reveals the natural, industrial and artistic features that characterise the region.

Land of History

Virton is above all a land of history, with sites such as the Bellevue Franco-German military cemetery, the origins of which date back to August 1914. A reminder of this dark time, it contains 300 individual French graves and 330 German graves. The French ossuary holds the remains of 2,139 unknown soldiers and the German ossuary 306. You can also follow one of the 10 memorial trails (between 35 and 85 km long!) through the sites of the Battle of the Frontiers. And don’t forget to go and see the Canadian totem pole, a symbol of the friendship between Virton and Canada, which dates back to 1955 when hundreds of Canadian military pilots came here looking for housing with their families before returning home in 1967. In 1992, a copy of the pole was carved to look exactly like the original by Claude Goffinet.

Copyright pictures: VisitArdenne / Visit Wallonia

You may have already heard of the Pays de Herve. This region nestled between the Vesdre and Meuse rivers is all rolling hills, green meadows and orchards. You can also see little farms dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. But the most iconic aspect of the region’s heritage remains its famous cheese!

Here, a relaxed way of life seeps into every corner, floats over every roll of the hills, and you can just let the peaceful atmosphere wash over you. The Pays de Herve’s architectural heritage includes the beautiful Val-Dieu Abbey, founded in 1216 by the Cistercians, with its mill, park and nature reserve, the Château de Wégimont and, of course, the area’s villages, perfect places for a picturesque walk. And it’s not for nothing that the Pays de Herve is also known for its folklore and traditions, such as the ‘nail trees’ of Olne and the ‘del Céqwemme’ and the Cavalcade, two processions through the streets of Herve.

Local Culinary Specialities

The best way to experience the Pays de Herve, however, is through your taste buds: a cheese that's rich in taste (and smell) and an apple and pear spread that foodies will adore. Then there’s the ciders (no surprise in this region dotted with orchards), beers and much more. Need some exercise to help all that go down? Pedal along the RaVel network of cycling trails or take one of the area’s many paths on horseback, on foot or on a motorbike or bike... There are a million and one ways to explore Herve and its surroundings!

Copyright pictures: Visit Wallonia / VisitArdenne

In Gaume, at the gateway to the Ardennes, this setting of pure greenery lies by the Semois river. A perfect destination that combines nature, heritage and gastronomy.

Florenville is first of all an exceptional environment for nature lovers. And with good reason. If you aren’t familiar with the region, prepare to fall in love with the superb landscapes and vast wooded expanses! With a long tourist tradition, Florenville will also reveal its pretty villages along the water through a host of signposted walks. And that’s not all because here they know how to host guests: you can count on a warm welcome from the inhabitants, the flavour of the local gastronomy and the beauty of the heritage! All these facets make it a superb place to explore.

An incredible panorama

You can’t stop here without going past the pride of the town: the belvedere at the top of the church tower (50 metres high!). From here, your eyes will feast on a sumptuous view over the Semois valley, neighbouring villages and Ardennes forest. A vast panorama over 800 km² where you can also admire all the beauty just by sitting on a bench behind the church... If you’re fascinated and want to find out more, don’t hesitate to visit Paysalia, the Landscape Interpretation Centre and its visiorama. And if you feel like an original walk set off for the Servais trail, a lovely 3 km loop on foot, during which you can discover the region's birds through drawings by the famous illustrator Jean-Claude Servais.

Copyright pictures: Ardennes-étape, Visit Wallonia 

It’s a little piece of paradise, the kind of place you fall in love with at first sight. And with good reason! We’re talking about one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in Wallonia,’ not far from Florenville, in a pretty valley carved out by the Semois river...

The lovely little village of Chassepierre is nestled amidst green countryside. Its name comes from the Latin ‘Casa Petra,’ which means ‘house of stone.’ And it should be mentioned that time doesn’t seem to have any hold here, since the village is largely made up of 18th and 19th century stone houses. With the pretty façades, the presbytery, the church with its graveyard, the rural landscape, the Semois flowing serenely along the length of the village... you’ll be transported straight into another world. It's a delight to wander around the village and get lost in the narrow streets!

Magic on Every Corner

Chassepierre could be likened to a sleeping beauty, but this would not do justice to the passion of its inhabitants. The village is renowned not just for its beauty, but also for the ‘Festival International des Arts de la Rue,’ its international street arts festival, an event that is the pride of the village and is no less than the oldest festival dedicated to street arts in Europe! It attracts artists from around the world, who make an appearance each summer, bringing the streets to life, celebrating and having fun with the public. The performances take over the whole village, giving rise to a wealth of interactions from exciting to funny, moving to farcical... A real celebration of life and a treat for children and grown-ups alike!

Copyright pictures: Visit Ardenne, Visit Wallonia 

Did you know? Verviers is the Walloon capital of water. It's true, this small town with a peaceful appearance holds its cards close to its chest because it also boasts an architectural heritage marked by the wool industry, in which it was a major player.     

At the heart of the Blue Ardennes, not far from Liège, Eupen and Spa, Verviers welcomes you to the Vesdre valley, a warm region at the threshold of the Fens. Here, it’s a gentle life where you savour local produce and gastronomy and cherish its local cultural treasures.  Verviers’s has a special place in the region with its ‘Fountain Trail’, rice pie or its artisanal chocolate tradition. Plan a relaxing holiday to explore this little-known town whose urban centre lies around three squares: Place Verte, Place du Martyr and Place du Marché.  

Soft gold and blue gold

The town’s long industrial history dates back a few centuries and is linked to wool (’soft gold’) which was enhanced both by the know-how of Verviers craftspeople and the quality of the water (’blue gold’) of the Vesdre. You’ll also find the traces of this rich past at the Wool and Fashion Tourist Centre and the Maison de l’Eau. Two of the many tourist attractions of Verviers, a dynamic town that offers a host of festive events (flea markets, shows, concerts, etc.) and museums (Fine Arts, Archaeology and Folklore, etc.). And foodies should not miss the Chocolaterie de Darcis which will take you on a real journey through the history of chocolate. Between walks and bike rides, shops, restaurants and pretty parks, it’s definitely worth spending some time in Verviers.

Copyright pictures: MTPV / Vincent Botta / VisitArdenne / Visit Wallonia

Marche is French for ‘walk’ - which is fitting, as it’s a wonderful place to walk! Not far from Durbuy, Rochefort and La Roche, nestled between the Lesse and Ourthe valleys, is Marche-en-Famenne. You can experience the charm of this city by exploring its pedestrianised streets and cultural and natural treasures! 

With its modernised centre that does nothing to dispel its olden-day charm and its 17th century buildings, Marche-en-Famenne is packed with attractions as fascinating as they are beautiful. Are you into culture and historical artefacts? Then you’d be mad not to step into the magnificent listed building that houses the FAM - the Famenne & Art Museum. A museum that looks back at the past - from prehistoric times to the 20th century - while at the same time being firmly anchored in the present by the work of artist Remy Van den Abeele. FAM also hosts temporary exhibitions, talks, workshops, activities and more. And on top of this, art lovers should make sure they don’t miss the Romanesque church of Saint-Etienne de Waha and the colourful play of light through its stained-glass windows by Jean-Michel Folon. An ode to serenity...

A Valley to Explore

Are your feet still itching to go? Perfect! You can take your pick from the region’s many paths and trails, on foot or by bike - and, while we’re on the subject, it just wouldn’t do to pass by the famous Fond des Vaulx! This small, deep valley extends over an area of 15 hectares and is located only a few minutes from the city centre. You’ll see caves, rock walls and a chasm called the Trotti aux Fosses. The Fond des Vaulx is part of both the Calestienne, a limestone belt fashioned over time, and the Famenne-Ardenne Global Geopark, situated between the Lesse, Lomme and Ourthe valleys. An infinite supply of new discoveries for tourists and scientists alike! That’s right, Marche-en-Famenne has more surprises in store for you yet!

Copyright pictures: VisitArdenne / Visit Wallonia / Ardennes-étape

Arlon, as the capital of the province of Luxembourg, is also a perfect representation of the region. With its architectural heritage, history, nature, museums and folk traditions, the city has a whole host of activities for you to enjoy, and that’s before you even start exploring the hidden gems all around it. 

A walk through the city will take you past impressive buildings, including the listed Palais Provincial and the old law courts displaying the province’s coat of arms, the work of the architect Jamot. Or perhaps the railway station, built in Lorraine limestone and blue stone, and the surrounding area, where you can find architecture in the Art Nouveau style. Looking further back in time, you can see the Roman towers of Jupiter and Neptune, both listed historical monuments, and the remains of the Roman baths, which show the importance of the Semois in the region. As for romantics, they can walk up the Montée Royale steps or to the Charmilles de Cornouillers, a bower of dogwood trees which once formed the natural cloister of the convent of the Pères Capucins and which is said to be over 350 years old!

Never Far From Nature

Nature makes itself known in Arlon, whether it’s through the bronze statue ‘L'Appel de la forêt‘ (Call of the Forest), depicting a belling stag, or through the sandstone pools marking the source of the Semois. You can walk along the river on the Coulée Verte path or see sculptures of animals at the Gaspar Museum. But the city also has a military museum, the international scouting museum, a cycling museum and the province’s archaeological museum! And to top it all off, you should know that Arlon has no shortage of folk traditions. You can come to celebrate the Faaschtebounen, the traditional Fêtes du Maitrank or the Fête du Cerf Bramant, take part in the city’s torchlight procession or take a trip back in time with the Gallo-Roman themed weekend ‘Veni vidi Orolaunum’... Yes, that‘s right - it really does have all of that!

Copyright pictures: Ardennes-étape / Visit Wallonia