ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a trip
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a trip
    • Neighborhoods & highlights
    • Eat & drink
    • Food culture
    • Culture
    • Getting around
    • Accommodation
    • Plan trip
    • Nearby
    Bouillon

    Belgium

    Bouillon

    City

    Bouillon is situated in a narrow loop of the Semois in the Belgian Ardennes, right on the French border in the south of the Province of Luxembourg.

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Belgium
    7. Province of Luxembourg
    9. Bouillon
    Bouillon is situated in a narrow loop of the Semois in the Belgian Ardennes, right on the French border in the south of the Province of Luxembourg. Above the town, perched on a rocky ridge, stands the castle, which is associated with the crusader Godfrey of Bouillon and is one of Belgium's largest castle complexes.The wooded slopes of the Semois valley make Bouillon an ideal starting point for hikes and viewpoints such as the Tombeau du Géant. In the town itself, an interactive medieval centre and a brewery tell the story of the region's past and present.
    Bouillon has around 5,400 inhabitants and is situated in a sharp bend of the Semois. The town is small and easily explored on foot; the castle can be reached from the riverbank via a steep climb. Its location is special: castle, river, and forest form a cohesive ensemble. For excursions into the Semois Valley, for example to Botassart, you'll need a car or sturdy hiking boots.

    Sights in Bouillon

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Bouillon Medieval Experience
    Museum

    1Bouillon Medieval Experience

    The former Archéoscope Godefroid de Bouillon, located in the former Sepulchrine Convent, reopened in April 2024 as Bouillon Medieval Experience. An immersive tour follows a knight and his squire on the First Crusade, after which a museum section displays a model of the castle.
    Open in Google Maps
    Burg Bouillon
    Castle

    2Burg Bouillon

    Perched on rocky spurs above the Semois, the castle boasts over 1000 years of history and is one of Belgium's largest complexes. Falconry displays occur in the courtyard; evenings feature guided torchlit tours through its passages.
    Open in Google Maps
    Tomb of the Giant
    Attraction

    3Tomb of the Giant

    At the hamlet of Botassart, the Semois flows in a nearly closed loop around a forested hill. Legend has it that a giant lies buried here, who chose to plunge to his death rather than face Roman captivity; the viewpoint is an exceptional cultural heritage of Wallonia.
    Open in Google Maps

    Restaurants in Bouillon

    1

    Restaurant Méandre

    Restaurant at the foot of the castle, dining room and terrace overlook the Semois. The menu features reinterpreted Belgian classics and original creations. Open for lunch and dinner, closed on Thursdays.
    Show on Google Maps
    2

    Le Panorama

    Hotel restaurant on the hill above the city. From the terrace, you see Bouillon, the castle, and the Semois bend. Chef Sébastien Charlier cooks gourmet cuisine, à la carte or as a set menu. The establishment is listed in Gault-Millau Belgium.
    Show on Google Maps
    3

    The King of the Mussel

    Family restaurant on the banks of the Semois below the castle, run by the Ramirez family since 1988. Specialising in mussels with fries in around thirty varieties, plus dishes from the Ardennes. Reservations are recommended during high season and on weekends.
    Show on Google Maps

    Food and Drink in Bouillon

    Cuvée de Bouillon

    Blonde beer from Brasserie de Bouillon, founded in 1998, on Grand-Rue below the castle.

    La Médiévale

    Amber-colored beer from the same brewery, playing on the city's medieval history.

    Jambon d'Ardenne

    The dry-cured, smoked Ardennes ham is registered as a Protected Geographical Indication and is on many menus in the region.

    Gottfried von Bouillon and the Castle

    A Crusader from the ArdennesThe castle was first mentioned in 988. Godfrey of Bouillon, one of the leaders of the First Crusade, inherited it and sold it to the Prince-Bishop of Liège to finance his expedition to Jerusalem. Bouillon preserves this heritage to this day, from the keep to the experience centre on the other riverbank.The Middle Ages Up CloseIn the castle, falconers display their birds of prey in the courtyard; guided torchlit tours explore underground passages. With the Bouillon City Pass, visit the castle, Musée Ducal, and the Bouillon Medieval Experience on one ticket.

    Getting to and Around Bouillon

    Getting ThereBouillon has no train station. By train, travel to Libramont on the Brussels-Luxembourg line, and from there take the TEC bus, which reaches Bouillon in about 45 minutes. Buses run infrequently, so plan your connection in advance.LocallyThe town centre, with its riverside promenade, bridges, and castle, is easily explored on foot, though the path to the castle is steep. For viewpoints in the Semois Valley like the Tombeau du Géant, you'll need a car or a long hike.

    Accommodations in Bouillon

    Find perfect stay in Bouillon

    Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Agoda* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Airbnb
    Vacation Rentals

    * Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.

    Campgrounds in Bouillon

    Find perfect campground in Bouillon

    Search via Google Maps
    Campgrounds nearby (15km)
    Camping.info
    Find Campgrounds
    Park4Night
    RV Parks & Camping

    Plan your trip to Bouillon

    Save places, build a route and plan your city trip, all in one place.

    1. 1
      1234

      Round trip

      12 days · 4 stops

      Saved

      Pick a route

      Pick a ready-made one or save places and plan your own.

      Open bookmarks
    2. 2

      Trip to Bouillon

      Live
      • 1Bouillon Medieval Experience3 days
      • 2Burg Bouillon4 days
      • 3Tomb of the Giant5 days
      Budget

      Plan your trip

      The planner sorts stops, days and budget. Plan together in real time.

      Start trip planning
    3. 3
      9:41 No signal
      Available offline

      Use it on the road

      Download the guide to your phone and use it on site, even offline.

    Nearby

    Province of Luxembourg

    Province of Luxembourg

    Belgian Luxembourg in the southeast is the country's largest and most sparsely populated province, a land of forests, river valleys, and villages in the Ardennes. You come for hiking and paddling, for the memorial sites of the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne, and for Trappist beer from Orval.To the north, the Ourthe winds around La Roche-en-Ardenne and Durbuy; to the west lie Saint-Hubert, the book village of Redu, and Bouillon on the Semois. Further south, in the Gaume region, it gets milder, and the border with France and Luxembourg is close.
    Han-sur-Lesse

    Han-sur-Lesse

    Han-sur-Lesse is a small village in the Famenne, a good 100 kilometers southeast of Brussels, and one of Belgium's classic attractions. Here, the Lesse river disappears into the limestone rock, having created the country's largest dripstone cave.A historic tram takes you to the cave entrance, then you make your way through halls with dripstones to the mighty Salle du Dôme. Next door lies a spacious wildlife park with bears, wolves, and bison, and in the surroundings, Lavaux-Sainte-Anne Castle and Trappist beer from Rochefort await.
    Dinant

    Dinant

    Dinant, situated about 90 kilometers south of Brussels in a narrow gorge of the Meuse, is one of Wallonia's most iconic photo opportunities. Below a sheer rock face, the Collegiate Church with its onion dome, the Citadel, and colorful houses line the river.The city is the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone, and the namesake of Leffe beer. In addition, there are boat trips on the Meuse, kayak tours on the Lesse, and small bakeries that still bake the rock-hard Couques.
    Namur & Meuse Valley

    Namur & Meuse Valley

    Namur province is the heart of Wallonia: Here, the Meuse flows south towards France, winding between limestone cliffs, castles, and abbeys. Namur is just an hour's train ride from Brussels. You come for riverside castle gardens, abbey beer and cheese, and hikes in the valleys of the Meuse and Lesse.Between Namur and the French border, Freÿr, Annevoie, and Walzin line the riverbanks like stage sets. Further west, along the Sambre, and on the plateaus around Maredsous, the province reveals a rural and peaceful character.
    Durbuy

    Durbuy

    Durbuy is a medieval town nestled in the Ourthe Valley in the Belgian Ardennes, just under two hours by train southeast of Brussels. It boasts the slogan "smallest city in the world" and entices with cobblestone streets, a castle, and a park of sculpted boxwood figures.The old town once spanned merely about two hectares, enclosed by walls. Today, it's a popular destination for foodies and hikers, and all around, Adventure Valley adventure park, the Ourthe, and the Neolithic megaliths of Wéris invite exploration.