The Ardennes is the name given to a region of Belgium in the south that extends into Luxembourg, France and Germany. This southern region is totally different from the busy, industrial north. The things available to do in this region are as varied as you might imagine and include some great museums, plenty of beer and even the world’s smallest city. Given the rolling hills and the lush green scenery, it will not surprise you that The Ardennes has become a popular spot for travellers who love the outdoors. 

In 2025 – winter edition

One of the special feelings I get about this region is winter time. It can be quite magical. I like to hike through the mountains, enjoying the snow. I always discover some interesting details from the past, like the Borne-potale Saint-Hubert. A local story says that the mayor of the city of Namur has been attacked by dogs and swore that if he survives, he will raise the pillar to the local patron saint as a thank you. If you continue scrolling, the reasoning of the Saint Hubert will appear. 🙂

Another nearby accident that didn’t end up happily is the Location of the death of King Albert I of Belgium. In 1934, in the village of Marche-les-Dames in the Namur province. Now this belongs to the category ”you only had one job to do” as the security that followed the King along the climbing route decided to leave him a bit behind, hoping the King will catch-up at the later stage. The Queen Elisabeth, Duchess of Bavaria was super upset.

Once you pass the hill that King Albert I was unable to, you arrive to the Abbaye Notre – Dame de la Vivier. The convent is from 12th century, when the local community of wives of knights closed themselves in the mini-castle as their husbands left for a Crusade. The community soon became the The Order of Citadels.

Today, the abbey has a restaurant in the chapel and farm. I was amazed by the chapel-restaurant and how private and exclusive the place was.

The nuns have their own beer production – what else to expect in Belgium? So we sat for a mini degustation.

My heart broke when I saw Angel. The Scottish kettle whose mother cow got pregnant too soon and abandoned him. Since then, the nuns and visitors that come around give him special attention so his heart gets healed every time more and more. 🙂

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In 2020 – summer edition

We started our day at 9am travelling to Bouillon, chasing the Templars.

The landscape aside the highway was full of green grass, deep forests, cows and sheeps. My heart was warm.

Tombeau du Géant

There is a magnificent open view at Devil’s view, looking across to ‘Le Tombeau du Géant’ (The Giant’s Tomb), so named because one of the bends in the Semois at this point seems to enclose a coffin of gigantic proportions. It is not easy to reach it. We walked an hour through the forest athough the tracks are pretty good marked.

Saint-Hubert

Cozy little town actually hides many secrets. Hubert was actually a prince of Liege. Being passionately in love with hunting, perhaps too passionately, one day he saw a deer with the christian cross on his horns. The deer asked not to be killed and advised prince to live modesty. So prince became a monk and the patron of hunters. And later of this city.

Wéris

Well known for its megaliths from pre-historic times. Most probably Celts. It is a nice little village with stone houses and some timber houses.

Durbuy

The last the cutest. 🙂 In medieval times, Durbuy was an important centre of commerce and industry. In 1331, the town was elevated to the rank of city by John I, Count of Luxemburg, and King of Bohemia. In 1628 by permission of Felipe IV of Spain it becomes the duchy. One of the people connected to the city was the son of Lancelot II: Count of Durbuy.

The Ourthe river flows through the municipality.