11 must do’s when in Bouillon - Life of a Passion

Bouillon is one of the most beautiful cities in the Ardennes and is of course known for the medieval castle that glitters above the city. Bouillon, you may know it from the famous knight ‘Godfrey of Bouillon’ as well. Here are my must do’s when visiting the city.

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1) Castle of bouillon

Perched on a massive rock, the Castle dominates the town as the eye-catcher of Bouillon. It is the oldest establishment in Belgium. This castle takes you back in time. It includes a throne room, torture chambers, and forgetting pits. But don’t forget to climb the towers for a beautiful view of the city.

Godfrey of Bouillon

Most know the city from ‘Godfrey of Bouillon’. The famous knight Godfrey inherited from an uncle the principality of Bouillon and the margraviate of Antwerp. Since then, he has been inextricably linked to the Castle. He got the title of Duke after helping the German emperor. He sold his duchy to the Prince-Bishops of Liège to pay for his expedition to the Holy Land (first crusade). Today you can still see the statue of the legendary knight against one of the castle walls. A beautiful tribute to this legendary knight.

Attend the bird show

Thanks to the Falconer you can enjoy an enchanting spectacle where various owls, eagles, buzzards, vultures, and of course falcons come to you. Performances take place at 11:30 am, 2:00 pm, and 3:30 pm.

2) Bouillon belvédère

Belvédère de Bouillon is the place to be to enjoy a magnificent view over the city. This location used to be a signaling place in old times to get signals from the north and west of the city.

3) Le tombeau du geant

The Graf van de Reus (Tombeau du Géant) is a beautiful nature walk near Bouillon. You can do the 5km or 13km walk!

4) Museum Ducal

This museum is housed in two buildings from the 18th century and is located near the castle of Bouillon. The museum houses a beautiful collection of Islamic and Medieval art. You can also admire a copy of the tomb of Godfrey as well as the souvenirs of the Crusades such as weapons and religious objects from that period.

5) Archéoscope Godefroid de Bouillon

The Archéoscope Godefroid de Bouillon takes you in the footsteps of the Crusaders with an impressive performance. The spectacular course uses state-of-the-art technology and lets you relive the First Crusade in the footsteps of Duke Godfrey and thousands of other warriors on their way to Jerusalem.

6) Stroll through the Breton quarter

This quarter, also known as the “quartier du Brutz”, is today seen as the heart of the old town. The district is gradually being restored and is now one of the oldest and most diverse in the city.

7) Bouillon Brewery

If you are a real beer lover, you should pay a visit to the charming brewery of Bouillon. You can enjoy a blond beer, the Cuvée de Bouillon and an amber beer, La Médiévale. Would you rather have a seasonal beer? That is also possible!

8) Pont de Liège

Walk across the Bridge of Liège (Pont de Liège), the oldest bridge in the Semois and also the first building over the river. In 1069 it was a wooden bridge that served the traffic between Germany and France. The charm of this bridge was increased in 1939 by the placement of two impressive statues on the right bank. One is in memory of the famous knight Godfrey of Bouillon and the other is dedicated to St Arnoldus.

9) Pont de Cordemois

Another important bridge is the Pont des Cordemois. An ideal stop for a cozy picnic. You can see this bridge from one of the towers of the Castle of Bouillon.

10) La Passerelle du Moulin de l’Epine

La Passerelle du Moulin de l’Epine is a unique suspension bridge hidden in the green forests of Bouillon. The bridge is no less than 55 meters long and dangles above the Semois.

11) Canoeing or kayaking on the Semois

Go canoeing or kayaking on the Semois! The great thing about this activity is that anyone can do it. Ideal for a fun day trip with the entire family or friends group!