Bouillon Fortress and Orval Beer Tasting

The castle of Bouillon is the most remarkable medieval fortress of Belgium. Overlooking the town of Bouillon and the river Sémois, it is a marvelous piece of military architecture. Be ready to explore dark dripping underground tunnels, a scary torture chamber and musty cell rooms. Its most famous owner used to be the Crusader knight Godefroy de Bouillon, the first ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. The view from the castle is breathtaking.
Open Hours: daily 10:00 - 18:00
Book your visit online.

You can have lunch in this tavern style restaurant, located right in front of Orval Abbey. This is the best place to taste Orval Trappist beer and Orval cheese. It also serves the unique "Orval Vert", a lighter version of the beer, that is available only here. You can book on the website.
Open Hours: Closed on Wednesday Thursday - Tuesday: 10:30 - 21:00

Founded in the 12th century, it is one of the most remarkable Cistercian abbeys in Belgium. Destroyed several times, it has been rebuilt three times. The new abbey is now a place for prayer and meditation center. You can visit the ruins of the old one, a very spectacular place in green surroundings. The abbey's famous brewery is unfortunately closed to visitors, but there is a little brewery museum inside.
Open Hours: November to February: daily 10:30 - 17:30 March-May and October: daily 09:30 - 18:00 June to September: daily 09:30 - 18:30
More information online.

On your way back to Lille, you have to stop at the Charlement Citadel in Givet. Located on the banks of the river Meuse, it is in France, on a narrow strip that is surrounded on all sides by Belgium. Built in the 16th century, it has been fortified in the 17th by Vauban, the famous military engineer. The fortress has been captured by the Germans in WWI and WWII.
Open Hours:
July and August: Closed on Tuesday Wednesday - Monday: 10:30 - 18:30
June and September: Closed on Monday and Tuesday Wednesday - Sunday: 10:30 - 18:30
October: Weekends: 10:30 - 18:30
More information online.

Before driving back to Lille, you can stop for dinner In Charleroi at this delicious restaurant. It offers creative cooking and excellent desserts. You can book a table on the website or by phone at 071/124114.
Open Hours: Closed on Saturday and Sunday Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 12:00 - 13:30, 19:00 - 20:45 Wednesday: 12:00 - 13:30

Welcome back to Lille after this great adventure in Wallonia.