Bastogne
Bastogne is a compact Belgian town with world-class WWII museums, Ardennes forests, and iconic local food. A genuinely moving and memorable family destination.
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🇧🇪The Ardennes
Explore the Belgian Ardennes with your family: medieval castles, limestone caves, river kayaking, and some of Belgium's best regional food await.
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Your family guide
A family adventure in the Belgian Ardennes
“Skip the castles for now: the Ardennes is really about canoeing past limestone cliffs and sleeping under actual stars, things your kids won't find in Brussels.”
— San & Jo
The Belgian Ardennes is the kind of place that feels like it was made for family adventures. Dense forests stretch as far as you can see, medieval castles peek out from hilltops, and rivers wind through steep valleys just waiting to be explored by canoe or kayak. This rugged, sparsely populated corner of southern Belgium has a wild, unhurried character that is genuinely hard to find elsewhere in Western Europe.
History comes alive here in a way that even young kids can feel. You can walk the cobbled streets of ancient towns like Stavelot and La Roche-en-Ardenne, peer into the ruins of Franchimont Castle, and visit Bastogne to understand one of the most significant chapters of World War II. The Ardennes does not just tell history, it surrounds you with it.
Whether you love hiking through misty moorland, paddling down a river, or simply wandering a quiet village and eating well, the Ardennes delivers. It is equally beautiful in summer, when the forests are lush and green, and in winter, when snow settles over the hills and everything feels wonderfully still. This is a destination that draws visitors back time and time again.
Wallonia, BelgiumProvinces of Luxembourg, Namur and Liège
Up to 694 mHighest point in the High Fens
Year-round destinationGreen summers, snowy winters
Cities and places in The Ardennes
5 places
Bastogne War Museum
The Bastogne War Museum brings WWII to life through immersive simulations, life-size dioramas, and a basement bombing shelter that leaves a lasting impression.
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Bouillon
Bouillon is a compact medieval town in the Belgian Ardennes where your family can explore a clifftop castle, watch falconry, hike through forest, and follow the story of a crusade…
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Durbuy
Explore Durbuy with your family: a fairy-tale medieval town in the Belgian Ardennes with the world's largest topiary park, riverside castle views, and outdoor adventures.
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La Roche-en-Ardenne
La Roche-en-Ardenne is a medieval gem in the Belgian Ardennes with a hilltop castle, wildlife park, war museum, and forest walks perfect for families.
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What makes it special
Why families love the Belgian Ardennes
Castles and medieval towns around every corner
From the ruins of Franchimont Castle to the pilgrimage town of Saint-Hubert and the historic streets of Stavelot, the Ardennes is scattered with medieval history that brings the past to life for kids and grown-ups alike.
Rivers made for adventure
The Meuse, Ourthe, and Lesse rivers carve through deep, dramatic valleys and offer brilliant family fun. Canoeing and kayaking are hugely popular here, and the calm stretches of river are suitable for families with children of all ages.
Wild, wide-open landscapes
The High Fens moorland plateau, thick forests, peat bogs, and rounded hilltops give the Ardennes a genuinely wild atmosphere. It is a fantastic place for hiking and cycling, with trails ranging from gentle valley walks to more challenging ridge routes.
Spectacular limestone caves
The Ardennes hides spectacular limestone cave systems beneath its surface, formed by underground rivers over millions of years. Stalactites, stalagmites, and underground rivers near Dinant make for a brilliant day out when the weather turns.
Wildlife and nature at its most unspoilt
Wild boar, deer, and pheasant roam the forests here. The Ardennes is one of Belgium's most wildlife-rich regions, and spotting animals in the wild, or learning about them at local nature centres, is a real highlight for children.
Your kind of holiday
Outdoor explorers
The Ardennes is a paradise for families who love being outside. Hike through ancient forests, cycle along river valleys, paddle down the Ourthe or Lesse, and breathe in some of the freshest air in Belgium. There are trails and routes for every fitness level.
History hunters
Crumbling castle ruins, medieval market squares, a World War II memorial in Bastogne, and ancient pilgrimage towns give history-loving families plenty to explore. The Ardennes makes history feel tangible and exciting rather than something you read in a textbook.
Slow travel and good food
The Ardennes has a wonderful food culture rooted in the land and the seasons. Wander artisan markets in Durbuy, try smoked Ardennes ham, taste local beers, and settle into the unhurried rhythm of a region where life moves at a gentler pace.
Fun facts
Things to know about The Ardennes
The word 'spa' was born here
The town of Spa in the Ardennes gave the English language its word for a wellness retreat. People have been travelling to its mineral springs since ancient times, making it one of the oldest tourist destinations in Europe.
Durbuy is officially the smallest city in the world
Durbuy holds the record as the world's smallest city. Its medieval streets, castle, and artisan food shops, including producers of vinegar and preserves, make it a wonderfully quirky stop for the whole family.
Wild boar roam the forests
The Ardennes forests are home to wild boar, deer, and pheasant. The region is one of Belgium's most wildlife-rich areas, and its hunting traditions go back centuries, which is why game dishes are still central to local cooking today.
Taste the Ardennes
What to eat with kids in the Ardennes
Jambon d'Ardenne
Ardennes Ham is the region's most famous food product, protected by a PGI label. It is salt-cured and smoked using traditional methods, with a rich, deep flavour. You will find it on almost every menu and in every local market.
Must try
Fresh river trout
Trout farmed ecologically in the clean streams of the Ardennes is a long-standing regional delicacy. Simply grilled or pan-fried with butter, it is a gentle, crowd-pleasing dish that goes down well with younger eaters too.
Safe choice
Les Baisers de La Roche
These sweet little petit-fours from La Roche-en-Ardenne are made with meringue biscuit, almond paste, and butter cream. Created in the 1950s, they are the perfect treat to pick up from a local patisserie after a morning of exploring.
Kids love it
Game dishes
Wild boar, venison, pheasant, and duck are central to Ardennes cooking, reflecting the region's forests and hunting heritage. Hearty stews and casseroles are especially popular in autumn and winter when the landscape is at its most dramatic.
Local favourite
Féodale beer
Brewed with local spring water, Féodale is the Ardennes' own regional beer, available in blonde, amber, and brown varieties with fruity caramel notes. A great choice for parents to enjoy with dinner while the kids tuck into something warm.
Local favourite
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