Charming Village Between Luxembourg and Lille
 

Anyone have any recs for a charming two night stop over by car somewhere between Luxembourg and Lille, France? We will be there July 2 and 3. Just two of us that like nature and food and drinks. Thanks!

What about Durbuy, Dinant (not to far away from the Han-sur-Lesse caves) or Mons?

You should certainly come via Bouillon but it's too close into Luxembourg to make it viable as a half-way point (although it's in a charming setting, it would make a nice stay). But I think it wants to be somewhere that could keep your interest for 2-3 days, so I think Dinant or Mons could be good bets, I agree with neckervd. And on the way to Lille you should also see Tournai, they have an amazing lace museum there.

Dinant was where the inventor of the saxophone was born. It is a very beautiful little city. There are river cruises and downstream between Houyet and Anseremme there is kayaking (expect to get wet, there is always someone throwing water). There is a citadel at the top of the town and at nearby Freÿr there is a castle with beautiful grounds. I could find plenty to fill two or three days there. Mons is beautiful too but it's a city of a fair size, not as small and charming as Dinant.

Edit: Remember to cross the river for a stunning view of Dinant, you won't see it if you stay on the same side as the town.

Lavandula

I agree that Dinant is lovely. Valenciennes is also nice.

La Roche-en-Ardenne is another good one. Small town rather than a village, but lots to do in and around, castlecaves, walking, paddling, relaxing.

Have a look at www.visitardenne.com for ideas.

Thank you. I will look into these. Any favorite inns? and/or restaurants?

We will be one night in Bastogne (driving from Lisieux) and will do a half day tour of the Battle of the Bulge sights; then head to Luxembourg for two nights. We were going to stay in Luxembourg City but I have decided to find something smaller and hopefully more charming. We do need to have our daughter to the airport for a 10:30 AM flight so need to stay within an hour of there. Then back towards Lillie for the start of the Tour de France so we are doing kind of a circle but trying to see different areas,

The centre of town in Luxembourg City is already 'small and charming', if you can stay somewhere in the old city.

I don't have many recommendations for hotels or restaurants (we stay with friends in Luxembourg) but opposite the ducal palace in Luxembourg there is a wonderful café, The Chocolate House. It has many cakes and hot chocolate that you make with a spoon embedded in chocolate. Totally decadent and in a nice setting (medieval building). We were there in winter and it was cosy.

Lavandula

The good thing about Luxembourg as a country is that public transport is free, even for visitors.

You might like to read this article in the Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2...wine-vineyards

I find the city of Luxembourg quite charming, but you wlll often hear from people who have never been there that it is ugly and of no interest. And public transportation in the entire country is indeed free -- by train, tram or bus. It would be tragic to miss out on this.

Parfondeval (Aisne) is a plus beau village de France.

Just when I thought Bouillon would not be enough:

https://www.brusselstimes.com/magazi...te-of-bouillon

Lavandula

I stayed in a gite for a week in Parfondeval. We loved it. It is in La Thierache, a micro-region of about 60 villages with fortified churches. A unique architectural heritage. And it very much retains its essentially rural nature. Sheep are grazing around the viilage. For many of the villages in La Thierache, the church is locked and we had to ask around for the key.

But because it is true to its roots, there is very little in the way of tourist infrastructure. Last time I looked Parfondeval was no longer on the list of Plus Beaux Villages. I suspect that the Aisne department and the regional tourism authority no longer wanted to support the effort. If it's back on the list, then some attitudes must have changed.

It doesn't really fit with the OP's request. No restaurants or shops. When I was there, it had a baker who operated out of a barn and sold a few kitchen essentials, but closed up by late morning.