24 Hours in Bouillon: A Perfect Day Trip Itinerary

  • 9:00 AM: Château fort de Bouillon
    Within walking distance from the city center

    The Château de Bouillon is a must-visit attraction located in the heart of the city. This medieval fortress offers fantastic panoramic views of the city and houses a museum where visitors can learn about the castle's history and the Crusades. Stroll around the castle grounds and feel like a true knight exploring a castle that has stood for over a thousand years.

  • 11:00 AM: Bouillon Animal Park
    15 minutes (4.5 miles) from Château fort de Bouillon

    The Bouillon Animal Park is a fun destination for animal enthusiasts. Here, you can observe and interact with a wide variety of animals that call the Ardennes home. From wolves and bears to deer and wild boars, this park has it all. The park also features a unique treetop walk that offers a fantastic view of the Ardennes forest.

  • 1:00 PM: Le 150
    7 minutes (1.3 miles) from Bouillon Animal Park

    Le 150 is a lovely little brasserie that serves authentic Belgian cuisine. Their specialty is a rich and savory meat stew called carbonnade flamande, made with beer and served with fluffy French fries. Pair it with a cold Belgian beer or a glass of the local red wine for a quintessential Belgian dining experience.

  • 3:00 PM: Archéoscope Godefroid de Bouillon
    10 minutes (2.7 miles) from Le 150

    Archéoscope Godefroid de Bouillon is another site in Bouillon that offers visitors an opportunity to learn more about the city's rich history. This museum uses innovative audiovisual technology to take visitors on a journey through time. Experience the Crusades, a decisive moment in the region's history, and learn more about the life of Godefroid, the first crusader-king of Jerusalem.

  • 5:00 PM: Microbrewery Brasserie de Bouillon
    9 minutes (1.7 miles) from Archéoscope Godefroid de Bouillon

    The Brasserie de Bouillon is a small brewery that specializes in creating craft beers using traditional brewing methods. Here, you can sample a variety of beers ranging from dark, malty stouts to light, refreshing lagers. If you're looking for something fun to do, take a guided tour of the brewery to learn about the beer-making process and taste some of their signature brews.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Château fort de Bouillon (2 hours, 8 EUR)
  • Bouillon Animal Park (2 hours, 16 EUR)
  • Le 150 (2 hours, 25 EUR)
  • Archéoscope Godefroid de Bouillon (2 hours, 12 EUR)
  • Microbrewery Brasserie de Bouillon (1 hour, 15 EUR)

  • Total Estimated Costs: 76 EUR

Transportation

To get the most out of your day trip to Bouillon, we suggest renting a car or taking public transportation. Driving is a good option as you can reach most of the attractions in the city by car. Alternatively, you can take a bus or train from nearby towns like Sedan or Charleville-Mézières. The cost of renting a car can range from 30 to 50 EUR per day. Train and bus tickets cost around 8 EUR per person for a one-way trip.

Useful Tips

If you have extra time, consider taking a short hike in the Ardennes forest or exploring Bouillon's many small boutiques and shops. You can also take a dip in the Semois river, which is located near the castle. If you have less time, consider skipping one of the attractions listed above or shortening the duration of your visits to fit your schedule.

Airports

The closest airport to Bouillon is Charleroi Airport (CRL), which is located approximately 85 miles from the city center. Another option is Brussels Airport (BRU), which is located approximately 100 miles from Bouillon. Both airports offer various transportation options to the city, including car rentals and public transportation.

0