4 Best Sights in Bouillon, The Meuse and the Ardennes

Around 29 km (18 miles) southeast of Bouillon, this magnificent abbey is known throughout the world for its famous Trappist beer, but you will need your own transport to reach this remote corner of the country. Founded by Italian Benedictines in 1070, and once one of Europe’s richest and most famous monasteries, the abbey flourished for 700 years before being destroyed by French troops in the aftermath of the French Revolution. It was rebuilt between 1926 and 1948 under the supervision of Marie-Albert Van der Cruyssen, a monk and builder from Ghent who started the brewery in 1931 in order to finance the rebuilding project. Sadly, the brewery and most of the monastery’s buildings are closed to the public, but you can visit the grounds and tour the ruins of the original abbey. The gardens contain the spring where Mathilde, Duchess of Lorraine, once dropped her wedding band, only to have it miraculously returned by a trout—the magical fish is now the abbey’s trademark symbol. A film in English describes life in the monastery, and the 18th-century cellars house a small museum.

Dominating the surrounding area from atop its rocky spur above the Semois River is one of Belgium's largest and oldest remaining castles. It was first documented in the 10th century, but it may be even older. In 1082, then-owner Godfrey of Bouillon sold the castle to the bishop of Liège in order to raise money to finance the First Crusade. Much of the building's current appearance is down to the French military engineer Vauban, who strengthened the walls in the 17th century on the orders of Louis XIV. You enter the main courtyard by first passing over three drawbridges. Once inside, climb to the top of the 16th-century Tour d’Autriche and you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the town and the Semois River. Kids will particularly enjoy a visit to the torture chamber and the dungeons.

This multimedia show invites you into the world of the castle's most notable occupant, Godfrey (Godefroid) of Bouillon, who ruled here in the late 11th century when the area was still a part of France. It tells the story of Godfrey's biggest—if somewhat dubious—claim to notoriety: he led an army of thousands on the First Crusade, and from 1099 until his death just one year later, he was installed as the first ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

This small museum has exhibits explaining the rich history of both the town and its castle. Your entrance ticket to the castle and the Medieval Experience also covers your entry here.