But read on for inspiration! The Ardennes region offers a wide range of possibilities for those that are looking for a more active getaway. Learn how your comment data is processed. Barbara also offers horse riding and / or a meal based on edible wild plants. The Wallonia villages often listed as most beautiful are Celles, Clermont-sur-Berwinne, Crupet, Laforêt, Nobressart, Ny, Ragnies, Soiron, Sosoye, Soulme, Torgny or Wéris. Ardennes Road Trip – Battle of the Bulge We spent 11 days on an Ardennes road trip to experience the battlefields and museums of World War 1 and 2 as well as some of the castles in this area. Tailor-made workshops are available upon request. Les Ardennes est un département de France situé dans la région Grand Est et la ville de Charleville-Mézières est sa préfecture. Apr 30, 2001 | NEW YORK -- On its Web site, Visitbelgium.com, the Belgian Tourist Office offers a series of … This post will mainly focus on the southernmost part of the Ardennes region: the Belgian Luxembourg province. The brewing process only uses spring water, hop cones, barley malt, candy sugar, and the special Trappist yeast. When it slowly melts in your mouth, you’ll get an idea what heaven must taste like. My personal favorite is Torgny. Who isn’t, right? It also stretches well into Germany and France. Nestled in one of the most remote, southern corners in Belgium, close to the French border, Torgny is famous for its Mediterranean-like charm. Kayak and canoes routes can be adapted to your needs upon request. Indeed, the business is managed by women for 60 years! But Torgny is not only reminiscent of the Mediterranean by the outside, but it also boasts a very particular micro-climate that allows the cultivation of wines. I particularly liked the creative variations of the traditional sausage by adding Orval beer, shallots, or even honey. No wonder that the town is often considered as one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium. Lakes, forests, rivers for great walks and hikes but also mountain bike or kayak trips. Belgium seems to have something to satisfy any traveler’s needs. 25 Interested. Only 12 beers in the world can bear the label “Trappist”: the beers of Achel, Chimay, La Trappe, Orval, Mont des Cats, Rochefort, Westvleteren, Westmalle, Mont des Cats  Stift Engelszell, Zundert (NL), Spencer (USA) and Tre Fontane (IT). Edouard’s chocolates are creative but not daring. Other typical meals (some of them can be found in other parts of Belgium too)  that you need to try when visiting the Ardennes region are: Where to enjoy Belgian food in the Ardennes region: More elaborated Belgian cuisine:Le FlorentinL’Auberge de Rochehaut, Traditional Belgium food:Friterie La GrignotteLa Vieille FermeChez Betty. You might wonder how the Belgian Luxembourg province ended up having the same name as the bordering Grand Duchy of Luxembourg? This activity made us think about our diet and lifestyle and offers a very good introduction to maybe start adding nettles in our soup or flowers on our plate! We first took a lunch break to taste delicious Belgian fries at chez Fernande before going back to France (don’t miss out on eating fries in Belgium!). We had a great time. A delight! The castle was later fitted for heavy artillery by Vauban, Louis XIV’s military architect in the late 17th century. Ardennes is located in: Belgique, Région wallonne, Hainaut, Braine-le-Comte, Ardennes. Hosted by. I particularly liked the contrast of the old, medieval ruins with the modern, imposing abbey which boasts gorgeous Art Deco details. I hope these suggested itineraries will help you organize your time as you plan your own trip to Benelux. It’s the perfect stop after visiting the abbey. Visit Durbuy, the smallest town in the world, Hotel de la Poste – Relais de Napoleon III ****, most popular hikes in the Ardennes, Wallonia, Bouillon is perfect for a foodie day trip, Where to Eat Traditional Food in Brussels, How to bring the Outdoors Home with Amazing Nature Art Prints, 15 Best Airbnbs in Door County, Wisconsin, 20 Wonderful Winter Getaways in Wisconsin, You’ll snap tons of photos and I love to take my, Sunscreen is key! Let me take you on a weekend break, right across the Luxembourgish border. His artisan sorbets are a refreshing and light mix of fruits like pineapple, mango, and banana or pineapple, mango and basilic! After working in Turkey and Lebanon, he came back to Florenville where he opened his shop, tea-room, and atelier. And of course, enjoy Belgian cuisine in one of its numerous restaurants. Without any doubt, Durbuy completes this list of the most beautiful villages in Belgium. Edouard learned the art of ice-cream making in Italy and nowadays he gives lessons at the University of Ice-Cream in Bologna! His creations are real and surprising in taste. If you need a short break, Belgium will impress you, and the Ardennes is ideal for weekend breaks. You’ll leave never Belgium being hungry! I’d might start thinking to do a retreat at Orval abbey…. ViaMichelin routes take into account the impact of road traffic on your journey time. Quality and selection standards are very high. Also known as the “pearl of the Semois” river, Bouillon is one of the most important tourist attractions in the Belgian province of Luxembourg. Plus, isn’t it just cool to say you visited the smallest town in the world? The top site in Durbuy is the Castle, which seems to take up half the city and has an interesting history. Exploring Torgny feels like traveling back in time within one of these classical Southern French movies. Stephanie, Andree’s granddaughter, is running the company today with her aunt. It’s 9,99€ only. There is also the nearby Topiary Park, a must for anyone who loves beautiful gardens and unique green spaces. ⚘ Avoid tourist traps and get the “Belgium Like a Local” itinerary. I am Paulina, a fervent travelette who crossed the Atlantic Ocean by Boat HitchHiking. The road itself winds beautifully through the rolling hills and magical forests of this attractive region. Est-ce la pluie qui me donnait envie de me réfugier dans une des nombreuses boutiques de glaces, gaufres ou autres gourm… It is cheap and easy to set up. In the end, even home countries can satisfy the chronic wanderlust of a frenetic traveler like me. It is also the starting point for many walks and hikes in the forest. Ardenne All Access est le complice de l'organisation de votre prochain circuit en terre de légendes et de bien vivre! Most of them are thus produced in Belgium. This also allows you to visit the citadel and enjoy the view from above. The number one must do is to enjoy a Liege waffle! Road-trip dans les ardennes belges There’s the old town, right below the castle which has vast streets, open plazas, and bright colored houses. A canoe ride makes any weekend trips to Belgium even more relaxing. It doesn’t matter the region or the town, you’ll always find a shop selling the most creative chocolate creations. This is a stereotypical Belgian Pilsner for those who need a break from all the heavy ales. A chocolate tasting is definitely a must-do on your weekend break to Belgium. READ: Where to Eat Traditional Food in Brussels. I did the ride with my sister and it was the perfect opportunity to chat while enjoying the absolutely relaxing movement of our boat. For our last day, we visited the Dinant city. The audio guide is not included but is essential to obtain a minimum of information. The access to the castle is free but you have to deserved it because it is located at the top of a big climb. We were also seduced by the richness of its history with numerous castles and superb medieval villages. The Ardennes is a stunning region spanning across four countries: France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. Edouard shares his god-like knowledge with anybody who’s interested in doing a workshop at his atelier. And even if it means a detour, I would run miles for his ice-creams!! Get it here, ✈ Book cheap flights to Belgium with Skyscanner or Kayak. The other star of Ardennes’ meat production is the Ardennes Ham which is obtained from the pig’s hind leg by immersion into saltwater, dry salting or rubbing with salt, maturing in cold storage and finally being smoked using different wood types. It simply became uninhabitable due to the massive destruction. More information available on www.bouilloninitiative.be. It flows through the most amazing pieces of nature. It is one of my favorite places to visit for Belgium short breaks. Semois Kayaks also rents kayaks, Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP), and pedalos. Monks came back to Orval in 1927 and they follow the spiritual traditions of the Trappist Order until today. We really enjoyed this stop between history and nature! ... Do a day trip to Liege. Whenever I can, I take one of these short breaks to Belgium to explore further. After a light breakfast the troops were ready to face their picked route in challenging weather conditions. The route encompasses historical sites that mark “The Battle of the Bulge” or Ardennes offensive that took place in the enigmatic dense forests of the Ardennes and the Eiffel. The Ardennes region in the Belgian Luxembourg province is heaven for hiking and trekking lovers. Cars & Share. I loved to see how the only 200 inhabitants cherish their village and each house front is covered by a different type and color of flowers. There are plenty of Ardennes vacation rentals available. The city is perfect for a weekend getaway along the Meuse, you can visit the church, the cave la merveilleuse or simply wander around the city. It is a region of southeast Belgium, and extends into France, Germany and Luxembourg. In fact, the Ardennes sausage was only created by the producers of Ardennes ham to enhance its by-products. Here, you’ll learn about the fine art of combining flavors with chocolate and the history of chocolate production. It’s simply a paradise for people that enjoy traveling slow and sustainable. Pour notre premier road-trip après 14 mois de tour du monde, nous avons voyagé près de chez nous ! Our road trip in the Ardennes was an opportunity for us to reconnect with the pleasure of travelling in a van which we are big fans of. There are many great options for where to stay in Ardennes, Belgium, but my number one recommendation is Le Florentin in Florenville. You will find all the information on her website. You have simple sandy paths and more rocky trails. One of the easiest ways to get to the Ardennes is via Brussels – Eurostar services run from London to Belgium’s capital (from £70). In the Ardennes by bike, from the Semois valley to Gaume This three-day trip through the Ardennes by bike (or electric bike) offers you the chance to explore the valley of the Semois, Gaume and to go to France to… Share; Tweet +1; Pin it This is an essential spot in the Ardennes, Belgium for history buffs. Make sure to stop from time to time in one of its countless restaurants and enjoy the food from its local producers. Routes touristiques. A great Ardennes weekend option is a day (or overnight) trip to Liege. It is also the place where the Lesse joins the Meuse, a very nice  canoe / kayak trip for the most adventurous. If you can, I recommend a visit near Christmas, as there is an abundance of things to do in Durbuy during winter, including one of the best Christmas markets in Belgium. We are starting from Amsterdam and will be driving. Find detailed maps for Belgique , Région wallonne , Hainaut , Braine-le-Comte , Ardennes on ViaMichelin, along with road traffic and weather information, the option to book accommodation and view information on MICHELIN restaurants and MICHELIN Green Guide listed tourist sites for - Ardennes. Beer of the Day: Vedett. The next day, we started the day with a meeting with Barbara from Saveurs de la forêt who taught us about the edible wild plants found in the forest. If you arrive by train, you’ll be blown away by the giant, curved silver ceiling that welcomes you to Liege. Visit Orval Abbey in Ardennes, Belgium, 4. A treasure hunt can be organized upon request. After being minced and spiced, the meat is stuffed into the natural gut. Hundreds of well-maintained trails adaptable for every level make it very hard to choose only one. The mid-scale factory is specialized in high-quality artisan products based upon traditional methods and recipes. The main towns of the Belgian Luxembourg province, the south of the Wallonia region (le Luxembourg Belge), are Durbuy, Bouillon, Bastogne, and Arlon, the provincial capital. It is an artificial lake created by the Plate Taille dam and its impressive observation tower. The walk is very varied. It is an easy ride of 1 hour (there’s the option to do 4 hours as well) which will let you immerse in Ardenne’s beautiful natural landscapes. Also discover another epic road trip in Europe by car with Scotland. For this weekend break itinerary, I mostly recommend sites in the western part of the Belgian Luxembourg province. Au départ de Somzée, vous y serez en à peine 1h. As the Ardennes region is mostly covered by large, dense forests with the Semois and Ourthe rivers creating almost fairy-tale-like landscapes, the area is particularly coveted among outdoor and nature lovers. There’s a before and after having tasted the ice-creams of Edouard. The old abbey was used as a stone quarry as long as it was seen worth to be protected by the Belgian government. C’est à Liège que démarre notre voyage en Ardenne (Ardennes belges pour les français qui passeraient par ici). Get it here. The best way to explore and enjoy the beauty of Torgny is by strolling around and absorbing the Mediterranean vibe. The Belgian Ardennes are very accessible with a van, RV or motorhome and we loved each of our overnight stops. We had made this tour in order to deepen Clémentine’s research for her book. Several factories can be visited, but we opted for the Salaisons G. Blaise (G. Blaise Saltings) in Florenville founded in 1910. It is an incredibly picturesque area and well looked after and it was a pleasure to drive around and see some of the sites we’d heard so much about and also discover some unexpected delights. The Chimay Brewery has been owned and operated by the monks as the Scourmont Abbey since 1862. Nous avons roulé au total environs 3h sur le week-end et optimisé nos temps de déplacement dans une zone où nous avons réalisé à peine 180km. After the passage of the French Revolutionaries, the abbey was left abandoned for over a century. Découvrez le temps d’un weekend, une partie des Ardennes françaises. Gratefully, Paulina, Travel Coupons & Discounts Become a Sustainable Traveler in 9 Steps Affordable Sustainable Clothing Brands 30 Travel Coffee Table Books, KLOW: a Sustainable and Ethical Fashion Experience ». These 2 stages produce the very characteristic Orval aroma. The town of Bouillon will immediately enchant you by its fairytale setting. In addition, many activities are available: swimming pool, aquarium, water sports, horse riding, tree climbing… Please note, the motor-home area is on a slope, so make sure you have wedges if you want to sleep flat. She also manages Le Florentin Hotel and a few shops in the region. As an Airbnb Associate, I earn when you book through certain links. It is not very strong in taste, but characteristic, thus it appeals to a large public. I want to share with you my passion for outdoor and sustainable travel like hiking, cycling or sailing. But the Belgian Luxembourg province has something more to offer than only beer and chocolate: le Saucisson d’Ardenne, the Ardennes Sausage. It is a pretty setting at the edge of the Meuse with the citadel dominating the city.