Grumps

Bouillon

Published July 2, 2023
Updated July 2, 2023
3 mins read

Bouillon, best known for the majestic Chateau de Bouillon which stands over the town, is an absolutely charming place to visit.

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To quote Wikipedia,

Bouillon is a city and municipality of Wallonia located in the province of Luxembourg in the Ardennes, Belgium.

In the Middle Ages Bouillon was a lordship within the Duchy of Lower Lorraine and the principal seat of the Ardennes-Bouillon dynasty in the 10th and 11th centuries. In the 11th century, they dominated the area and held the ducal title along with many other titles in the region. Bouillon was the location of the ducal mint and the dominant urban concentration in the dukes’ possession.

Parking

It may have been a chilly winters day when we visited Bouillon but that didn’t detract from the sheer majesty of the Chateau as you approach the town.

Nestled in a bend of the Semois river parking in the town itself would be somewhat challenging. In common with a lot of towns and villages in this part of Europe motorhomes, however, are well catered for.

On the outskirts of the town, accessed through a tunnel under the chateau, close to the football club you will find the free motorhome parking area. From there it’s just a short walk into the town.

Chateau de Bouillon

The Chateau de Bouillon is of course the main attraction of Bouillon. Its’ imposing facade dominates the town, it’s enormous.

The first mention of a castle at Bouillon was in 988, although it is likely that there was a castle there much earlier than that. In 1082, Bouillon Castle was inherited by Godfrey of Bouillon, who sold it to Otbert, Bishop of Liège in order to finance the First Crusade.

The castle has changed hands many times since , and been renovated and expanded several times, so that today it extends across three rocky peaks above the town. A visit to the castle is a must if you are visiting the town.

Other attractions

In the town, close to the bank of the Semois, is the Archéoscope Godefroid de Bouillon. A multimedia experience following Duke Godfrey and thousands of warriors on the first crusade.

On the other side of the river is the Musee Ducal which explores the period between the Middle Ages and the first crusade, including life in Bouillon in the 18th century