Valley of the Meuse, Castles and Legends

DescriptionTempted by a Franco-Belgian stay with a Meuse river theme? This 3-day stay will meet all your expectations and enable you to explore Ardenne.

The first day will concentrate on France with a visit to Sedan and its fortified castle, before taking you to Charleville-Mézières where an exploration of the town and the place Ducale is planned.

Namur province and more specifically the Dinant region are on the schedule on the second day. You will visit the town centre of Dinant and its collegiate church, before taking a boat cruise departing from Dinant and paying a visit to Freÿr castle, which will give you an ideal glimpse of this territory.

The third and final day has a varied schedule with a visit to the Hans-sur-Lesse Caves, which can be supplemented by a lunch on board on this pleasant river before finishing the stay with a guided tour of Château de Modave located in Liège province.

Duration: 3 days/2 nights

Opening day(s)

ProgrammeDay 1: Sedan / Charleville-Mézières (FR)

Guided tour of Sedan castle (1h30)
Lunch of Ardennais specialities at the Café Turenne at Sedan castle
Guided tour of Charleville-Mézières by coach and on foot (2h)
Tour of the “Aux Saveurs d’Ardenne” salting workshop near Charleville (1h)
Dinner (3 courses, drinks excluded) at a restaurant on the Place Ducale in Charleville
Overnight stay at the Hôtel Kyriad in Charleville

Day 2: Dinant / Freyr (Be) / Charleville (FR)

Charleville-Dinant journey via “La Route des Légendes” (2h)
Guided tour of Dinant and its collegiate church (1h)
Lunch at your disposal in Dinant
Boat cruise Dinant-Freÿr (1h)
Guided tour of Freÿr castle (1h30)
Dinner (3 courses, drinks excluded) at a restaurant by the Meuse in Charleville
Overnight stay at the Hôtel Kyriad in Charleville
Alternative: Tour of the Musée de l’Ardenne in Charleville

Day 3: Han-Sur-Lesse /Modave (BE)

Guided tour of the Grottes de Han-sur-Lesse (1h45)
Lunch at your disposal in Han-sur-Lesse
Guided tour of Château de Modave (1h)

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 - The fortified castle of Sedan

Venture into the heart of Europe’s biggest feudal fortress! Its architecture and ingenious defensive system are astonishing and fascinating, still evocative of the power of its princes and knights.

2 - Charleville

This Meuse town of art and culture radiates outwards from its superb 15th-century Ducal Square. Mézières, an 11th-century city, was a hub of Northern European river commerce in the Middle Ages.

3 - The “Aux Saveurs d’Ardennes” salting workshop

Near Charleville-Mézières, explore the production workshops of a craftsman’s enterprise and sample typical renowned products: Ardenne ham, cured wild boar sausage, and more...

4 - La Route des Légendes

This tour takes you along the roads of the Meuse and Semoy valleys (Belgium: Semois). Departing from Charleville-Mézières, enter the world of legends on the territory of the Four Aymon Sons...

5 - Dinant, saxophone town, a European tourism gem in 2015!

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!

6 - Dinant/Freÿr cruise

This superb cruise, passing through the Anseremme lock – which has a spectacular drop – accesses the wildest canal pond in the Upper Meuse. Admire the Priory of Anseremme and the rocks of Freÿr, Belgian’s biggest climbing massif.

7 - Freÿr Castle

A look of Versailles in a stupendous setting! A listed part of Wallonia’s Major Heritage, a Renaissance castle steeped in history with terraced gardens, melodious water features, three-centuries-old orange trees and 6 km of labyrinths.

8 - Little picturesque villages

Explore some of Ardenne’s superb villages, such as Laforêt (listed among the most beautiful villages in Wallonia), Vresse-sur-Semois, Bièvre, Auffe, Beauraing, Gedinne, etc.

9 - Les Grottes de Han

Visit the Han caves, their immense halls, a vibrant sound and light spectacle in the Armoury, and the reflection of rich draperies in the magic mirror of la Lesse.

10 - Château de Modave

Located on a rocky outcrop dominating the Hoyoux valley and partially destroyed in the middle of the 17thcentury, the ancient castle was restored and transformed into an elegant pleasure residence, the furniture of which comprises outstanding pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries.