The Belgian Ardennes

Excursion in Brussels

Tour Price : €600-800 Duration : 10-12 hours Languages: English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Swedish

Our private guided tour in the Belgian Ardennes 

(Tour of 1 or 2 days, each 12 hours): 600 euros per day. 

Namur, Dinant, Bouillon, Orval, Han, La Roche, Spa, Liège 

(Optional: Bastogne memorials and WWII sites)

With this tour, we will explore another part of Belgium. Quite astonishing for such a small country—only about 300 km long and 100 km wide! North of Brussels lies the Lowlands; to the south, rolling hills, stunning valleys, and hidden villages. Our tour begins in Namur, where the massive citadel perched atop the Champeau hill still dominates the skyline of this historically besieged city.

Even in Roman times, Julius Caesar attacked here the Gallic tribe of the Aduatici! Following the river "La Meuse" southward, the Meuse originates in France, then flows through Belgium and the southern Netherlands before reaching the North Sea.

The river is at its most picturesque in the province of Namur, where it winds northward through a narrow valley before making a sharp turn eastward at the city of Namur, continuing along a broader valley toward Liège.

The variety of landscapes along this stretch of the river results from the different rock types it cuts through. Wooded slopes of shale alternate with limestone and sandstone. As the river cuts through the strata, harder rocks form magnificent gorges with spectacular cliffs, rocky spurs, pinnacles, and deep caves.

Our private guide in the Belgian Ardennes awaits you!

We will proceed to Dinant. Nestled in the remarkable scenery of the Meuse Valley, Dinant is dominated by its massive citadel and the distinctive bulb-shaped collegiate church. The town’s slate-roofed buildings stretch between the river and steep cliffs. In the past, Dinant was famed for its intricately worked copper and brassware, produced here since the 12th century.

Depending on your preference, we will head further south to explore the "Semois Valley," Bouillon, and its castle. The charming capital of the beautiful Semois Valley is one of the most popular destinations in the Ardennes, offering canoeing on the river (optional break?) and stunning countryside. The castle is the largest example of medieval military architecture in Belgium. Its existence has been documented since the 10th century.

From Bouillon, following the Semois River, we will reach Orval and its world-renowned Abbey.

Nestled in the Gaume forest, this abbey was founded in 1070 by Benedictine monks. By the 12th century, it had become one of the wealthiest Cistercian monasteries in Europe. Orval is also famous for its "True Trappist Beer!" From Orval, we will head to Han-sur-Lesse, an exceptional village at the heart of the Lesse and Lomme National Park—a vast limestone plateau crossed by two rivers. Han is also renowned for its magnificent cave and wildlife reserve.

From Han, we’ll continue to La Roche-en-Ardenne. Long, wooded ridges separated by deep valleys converge on this popular resort town, famed for its scenic beauty located on a loop of the River Ourthe.

From La Roche, we will follow the Upper Valley of the Ourthe. The river here resembles a mountain stream, flowing vigorously through wild and beautiful countryside. Scenic viewpoints such as the Belvédère des Six Ourthe offer panoramic views over the pristine, rugged landscape typical of the Ardennes.

The winding river has carved a sinuous valley around forested spurs, disappearing behind them and then reappearing again, creating the illusion of a series of lakes—hence the name of the viewpoint. Continuing along the Ourthe northward, we will pass Hotton and its "Cave of the Thousand and One Nights," and reach Durbuy.

Granted city status in 1331, Durbuy was once considered the smallest city in the world, with fewer than 400 inhabitants.

Our guided tours in the Belgian Ardennes await you!

It has preserved its ancient character with a maze of medieval alleyways, a 17th-century castle, an old stone bridge, and a half-timbered grain hall. The charming cobbled streets and stone houses—home to many artisans and artists—blend perfectly with the natural beauty of the site, at the foot of a rocky spur offering views of the impressive geological fold known as the Falize. We will continue following the Ourthe River toward Liège (no visit), discovering ever more picturesque and natural villages along the way.

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