Bouillon Travel Guide

  Bouillon, tournament
by egonwegh
  • Bouillon, tournament
      Bouillon, tournament
    by egonwegh
  • Frahan, town centre
      Frahan, town centre
    by egonwegh
  • Bouillon, canoeing on the Semois
      Bouillon, canoeing on the Semois
    by egonwegh
  • Ardennes ham and sausages
      Ardennes ham and sausages
    by ATLC
  • Bouillon, entrance gate of the castle
      Bouillon, entrance gate of the castle
    by egonwegh

Pro

Scarlie profile photo

 History, sports, cuisine 


Con

davidcross profile photo

 For me - a massive cold and cough! 


In a nutshell

davidcross profile photo

 Beautiful and relaxing 

 

Explore Bouillon

Things to Do  

Walking excursion to nearby Frahan

Walking excursion to nearby Frahan, Bouillon

 egonwegh Says:  We made a walk in the neighbourhood of Bouillon, and passed through the town of Frahan (population: 74, according to Wikipedia ) 

Visit the castle

Visit the castle, Bouillon

 egonwegh Says:  Visit the castle of Godfrey of Bouillon (c. 1060 – 18 July 1100), who joined the Holy Crusade and became King of Jerusalem. That's me wearing silly pants and no matching T-shirt. 

The animal park

The animal park, Bouillon

 ATLC Says:  The 'Parc Animalier' is just outside Bouillon on the west side. It has 60 different kinds of animals, a large playground and a large restaurant. You can watch the animals along a 2 km long route.Looks like a nice thing to do with young children!The park is open all year... 

Falcon show at the fortress

Falcon show at the fortress, Bouillon

 ATLC Says:  While you are at the fortress, you may hit upon the 'ballet of birds of prey'. It's a half funny 20 minute show in French and Flemish/Dutch in the central court yard. There are 4 shows per day usually, in high season.The birds live in the court yard in their individual... 

Hotels  

Hotel Cosy

 7 Opinions

Panorama Hotel

 26 Opinions

Restaurants  

Restaurant Le Quai - Chez Betty: Small, family run restaurant

Restaurant Le Quai - Chez Betty: Small, family run restaurant, Bouillon

 ATLC Says:  These people enjoy running their restaurant. Maman behind the stove and papa front-of-house. All warmth and smiles. One of us enjoyed a 3-course meal at 25 euro. I had a terrine (9 euro, see photo) and a big portion of boiled mussels with garlic (Belgian speciality) for 19... 

restaurants in Bouillon: A list of restaurants and Trout Festival

restaurants in Bouillon: A list of restaurants and Trout Festival, Bouillon

 ATLC Says:  There are a great many restaurants in Bouillon. A selection of those in Bouillon and nearby are on the website (link below). April had 2 weeks of Trout Festival. Each restaurant offered its trout specialities at a special price.As you can see in the photo:-Trout with... 

Transportation  

Walking up to the fortress

Walking up to the fortress, Bouillon

 ATLC Says:  It was a little bit steep but not really very far to climb from the town up to the fortress. I think it took us 30 minutes or so from our hotel.But we did take a sort of short cut because our hotel was at the far south side of the fortress and the fortress entrance is up the... 

Little tourists train

Little tourists train, Bouillon

 ATLC Says:  The tourists train rides every weekend from Easter until 11/11 (weather permitting).And also every day in July and August.The schedules are on signs on the bridges calles Point de Liège and Pont de France and also on the Esplanade Godefroy (which is the entrance to the... 

Shopping  

Hunting and knives
ATLC profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

ATLC 3812 reviews
Shopping for knives, Bouillon
1 more image

People in this region hunt and have use of good knives. So they can be easily bought here.
Some of these knives are forbidden in my country.

I don't have a particular address but this little shop (selling anything from tobacco to toys to fishing apparel) is on the Quai du Rempart (which is along the river).

Written Sep 24, 2010

Address: Quai du Rempart

Related to:
 Eco-Tourism

Was this review helpful?

Local Customs  

The feast of Saint Eloi

The feast of Saint Eloi, Bouillon

 ATLC Says:  In the church of St Eloi I was looking at some photos of a procession. It is for St Eloi, the patron saint of the old metal workers of Bouillon. The tradition seems to be many centuries old but it was only in 1879 that the first procession was held. During the procession the... 

Ardennes ham and sausages

Ardennes ham and sausages, Bouillon

 ATLC Says:  Hams and sausages are THE speciality of the Ardennes. It's an absolute joy to sample the hams and sausages on a picnic, with some fresh bread or without anything at all (eh, a beer or wine would be nice).A 'pipe' for instance is a thin and long Ardenne sausage that's perfect... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Wear sturdy shoes

Wear sturdy shoes, Bouillon

 ATLC Says:  The fortress is a large complex and you can walk just about everywhere. But beware, there are many steep steps and low corridors that are dark. It can be slippery in a lot of places.Do wear good shoes! 

Safe photography

Safe photography, Bouillon

 ATLC Says:  Of course you should also NOT risk your life for the perfect photo. That fence did not look very solid to me. Trust me: it's a looong way down! You'd think, once the kiddos have grown up, you wouldn't have to run after them all the time. Goes to show! 

When in the fortress, don't get into trouble!

When in the fortress, don't get into trouble!, Bouillon

 ATLC Says:  Or (photo 1) you'll end up in a cell, you will! Or (photo 2) possibly you will be stretched on a nasty machine for punishment. Or maybe you'll be thrown in a dungeon (photo 3) with just one small opening 6 metres above your head. And if you've been really bad, you may be... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Canoeing

Canoeing, Bouillon

 egonwegh Says:  Canoeing on the river Semois - 'Where the hermit-thrush sings in the pine trees, Drip drop drip drop drop drop drop, But there is no water' (T.S. Eliot) 

Explore the region

Explore the region, Bouillon

 ATLC Says:  Bouillon lies in the beautiful region: the province of Luxembourg. Mind you, that is the name of the province, which is not the same as the nearby principality Luxembourg.The province has many (listed) natural areas, woods, hills, caves. Charming villages, many museums and... 

Church of Sainte Eloi

Church of Sainte Eloi, Bouillon

 ATLC Says:  It's not that it is the nicest church we ever saw. But we were lured by the carillon, as always. So we went to have a look on coming down from the fortress anyway.We saw a parish church, not necessarily very impressive but nice nonetheless. 

Sports & Outdoors  

Karting in Bouillon
ATLC profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

ATLC 3812 reviews

There's a karting track just outside Bouillon on the east side of the river. You drive through and out of town, a road that goes up and up...
We drove up since we were curious to see the view of the castle from the other side of the river but we ended up watching young people go-karting too!

More information and photos on the website below.

Equipment: There are also special karts for small children up to 1.20 metres.

Updated Sep 26, 2010

Address: Voie Jocquee 115, Bouillon

Phone: 061 467807

Website: http://www.kartingbouillon.com/

Related to:
 Family Travel

Was this review helpful?

Favorites  

Tourist office

Tourist office, Bouillon

 ATLC Says:  The tourist office is on the east side of the river Semois. In the photo it is the glass building in the middle saying 'Maison du Tourisme'.The details are:Address: Quai des saulx 12, BouillonTel.: +32 61465211www.bouillon-tourisme.beinfo@bouillon-tourisme.be 

Beautiful city to walk along the river in Autumn

Beautiful city to walk along the river in Autumn, Bouillon

 irisbe Says:  Bouillon, a small city along the river Semois some where in the Province of Luxembourg.It's castle, it little shops, the relaxed atmosphere, local pubs and tea rooms and the splendid colours in Autumn ....An excellent afternoon trip for the family. 

Comments

Map of Bouillon