Beers and heritage, Ardennais Riches and Flavours

DescriptionHeritage is felt a thousand and one ways in Ardennes... in architecture, nature or in cuisine or regional tradition. This 3-day stay will allow you to explore these different facets of Ardennais heritage.

The first day will be devoted to Namur province via a tour of the superb Annevoie gardens, before taking you to discover the Bocq brewery, which is located in an attractive little valley.

You will stay in the Namur region for the second day, with a visit to the Dinant Citadel, a boat trip on the Meuse between Dinant and Anseremme, before closing the day with a guided tour of Maredsous Abbey.

The third day will take you to the province of Luxembourg with a visit to the Orval Abbey, comprising beer and cheese sampling before travelling back to the times of the knights at Bouillon Castle. A stop at Rochehaut, known for its view across Frahan, will break up this trip.

Duration: 3 days/2 night

Opening day(s)

ProgrammeDay 1: Annevoie / Du Bocq / Dinant

Guided tour of the Annevoie Gardens (1h30)
Lunch on location, at the Brasserie Bocow
Guided tour of the Brasserie Du Bocq with sampling (1h)
Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Ibis Dinant

Alternatives:
* Brasserie La Caracole
* Brasserie des Fagnes

Day 2: Dinant / Maredsous

Cable car and guided tour of the Dinant Citadel (45’)
Boat tour on the Meuse – Dinant/Anseremme/Dinant (45’)
Lunch at your disposal in Dinant
Guided tour of Maredsous Abbey with sampling (1h30)
Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Ibis Dinant

Alternatives:
* Château de Modave
* Town and citadel of Namur

Day 3: Orval / Bouillon / Rochehaut

Guided tour of Orval Abbey (1h30)
Beer and cheese sampling at “À L’Ange Gardien”
Lunch at your disposal in Bouillon
Guided tour of Bouillon Castle (1h30)
Free time in Rochehaut – View across Frahan and the Boutique ardennaise (1h)

Alternative:
*The castle of Sedan (FR): Europe’s biggest medieval fortress!

Mentions :
- This circuit is suggested by way of example and
  can be adapted according to your desires.
  Contact us today to get an offer to suit your
  group’s needs.
  Modular Circuit

1 - Les Jardins d’Annevoie

A listed part of Wallonia’s outstanding heritage, these gardens, where the splendour and majesty of the French style blend harmoniously with English romanticism and Italian refinement, were designed to only reveal their riches little by little…

2 - La Brasserie du Bocq

In the marvellous little tourist village in the Bocq valley, explore a brewing tradition that has been honoured since 1858. The tour is followed by the sampling of beer, such as the Blanche de Namur (elected the world’s best white beer in 2009), Gauloise or Redbocq!

3 - Little picturesque villages

Set out to explore Crupet, Falaën and Sosoye, listed among Wallonia’s most beautiful villages, but also Bouvignes-sur-Meuse.

4 - Dinant

Nestled in the hollow of one of the Meuse country’s most admired green settings, backing onto high rocks, on the banks of the river, its history and gastronomic specialities – such as couques de Dinant – are worth the detour!

5 - Dinant-Anseremme cruise

This boat tour will take you to the village of Anseremme, passing by the famous Bayard Rock and the monumental Charlemagne viaduct, among others.

6 - Maredsous Abbey and its beers brewed according to Benedictine tradition

Your guide will let you into the monks’ private domain, where you will thus be able to contemplate the abbey, the garden, and the pottery workshops. The little Cheese-making Museum lifts the veil on the secrets of maturing the famous Maredsous cheese and offers beer and cheese sampling to beautifully round off your tour!

7 - Orval Abbey

Enter into this almost thousand-year-old abbey, which houses one of the 10 breweries, where a sensation of serenity blended with a spellbinding charm takes hold of the visitor. Next to the abbey, the Ange Gardien Inn holds a unique treasure: “Petite Orval”, which you won't taste anywhere else!

8 - Bouillon Castle

Considered the oldest and most interesting vestige of the feudal system in Belgium, this castle owes its fame to the story of Godefroid de Bouillon, who went away to the Crusades.

9 - The view across Frahan and the Boutique ardennaise in Rochehaut

This panorama, a listed part of Wallonia’s Major Heritage, offers an unbeatable view across the Semois and the little village of Frahan. The Boutique ardennaise opens the door onto the exquisite tastes of local and regional rural products.