Suggested Itineraries

South West of Brussels

Beloeil (Highway E19)

The castle belongs to the family of the princes of Ligne since the 14^th century. It has wonderful gardens, a 15acre basin designed by a disciple of Le Notre.   Inside, the castle has a museum like collection of fine furniture, tapestries, family portraits and memorabilia.

Tournai (via Stambruges to E42 )

A city already important in the roman times and later under King Clovis was an important tapestry - weaving center in the 15^th and 16^th century. The Romanesque cathedral is one of the most imposing and original buildings in Europe. Inside the church look for the treasury containing the silver and gold reliquary of Nicolas de Verdun. The town has a nice main square with the oldest belfry in Belgium just around the corner. The Fine Art Museum was built by Victor Horta.

Mons was developed around a castle and a monastery in the 7^th century. A magnificent church in Brabant Gothic style houses the 18^th c. “Golden Chariot ” which annually carries de reliquary of St Waudru through the streets of the city. The procession ends with the pageant of the battle of the Lumeçon, between St George and the Dragon. Guess who wins…   A beautiful baroque Belfry stands on the highest point of the city from where there are great views of the surrounding countryside and the ruins of the castle of the Counts of Hainaut as well as a 11^th c. Chapel.

Just outside Mons visit a coal mining industrial archeological site “le Grand Hornu” Aremarkable complex in neo classical style where the workplace and homes are integrated. It is now a museum, check with the local tourist office in Mons for special exhibits that are regularly organized in this spectacular space.

Nivelles (E42 leads into E19)

This very old town goes back to Carolingian times.The most important monument to visit is St, Gertrude’ Collegiate church. A very impressive Romanesque abbey church consecrated in the 12^th century by Henry III (yes of France). The size and simplicity inside and outside are striking. The archeological basement consists of the ruins of 5other churches, from the 7^th to 10^thcentury, which preceded the Romanesque one.

Waterloo (E19 to belt around Brussels, then follow directions to Antwerp and get off at N5 to Waterloo).

This is the famous battlefield where Napoleon was defeated by the combined forces of Wellington and Blucher.

Brussels & French Speaking Wallonia

Day 1 -  Brussels see above

Day 2 - Liege (Train: 1 hour or Highway E40: 61 miles)

Seat of the Prince Bishops since Bishop Notger converted these territories in an ecclesiastic principality in the 10^th century up to the French revolution . Liege is the center of the art of the Mosan School. You have to visit the St. Bartholomew’s church with the famous baptismal font by Rene de Huy, the Curtius Museum (closed for renovation), the Museum ofreligious and Mosan art, the Ansembourg Museum ,St. Paul’s Cathedral with the treasury of the Reliquary of Charles the Bold. St James church with an amazing nave vaulting, the Arms Museum.  Liege is a good shopping city and at night you have to see the puppet theatre and visit the cafes of the Ilot Sacre.

Liege - the Hidden city: find the "Rue Roture", this little alley is buzzing with activities at night. Most of the old buildings are occupied by convivial restaurants and cafes in Ardennes farmhouse style; number 24 claims to be the town hall of the free commune of Outremeuse.  The church of Saint Jacques is one of the most beautiful gothic buildings in the country and St Paul's (now the Cathedral) has a splendid cloister. The St Croix church, once a former cloister, has not changed much in the last 800 years.   The Place Saint-Lambert, directly below St Croix church, is landscaped by the architect Paul Strebelle.  On the east side of the square look for modern buildings. each of one is in a different color and in a different style. The Square and its district is also known as the "Ilot Saint Michel" and looks set to become a masterpiece of modern  Belgian Architecture.  Strebelle has included a series of secret gardens above street level. They look semi-private. You have to go through ahalf-closed gate, climb steps and cross a bridge to reach a strange elevated garden that looks down on the old brick houses around Saint Croix Church.   Wander through the "Carre" district, an extensive quarter of pedestrian shopping streets near the Cathedral; many of the best shops are located in 18th century mansions with stone facades and wooden floors that have been carefully restored to their original state.    To enjoy a stunning view of the city take the picturesque "Sentier des Coteaux". Don't forget to check the splendid Opera house and to browse through some of Belgian 's best bookshops.

DAY 3 - South West of Brussels : Discover French Speaking Wallonia

Driving Itineraries in French Speaking Wallonia - Castles, Gardens, Abbeys, and Charming Villages

Namur (E 411) - Namur ‘s strategic position on the Meuse and Sambre made it the ideal military site. The imposing citadel still stands and can be visited. In the charming and busy town you will also find an archeological museum that houses a beautiful treasury of Hugo d’Oignies, composed of delicate 13^th century metal work in gold and silver.  The satirical irreverent artist Felicien Rops, native of Namur has a museum devoted tohis work, well worth a stop.Annevoie - On the way to Dinant stay on the west bank of the Meuse (N 92) and visit the gardens of Annevoie. Surrounding an elegant house of the 17^th and 18^th century these are a combination of traditional French and romantic Italian styles and famous for their fountains, canals, cascades and other creative uses of the water of the natural springs.

Maredsous - Take the yellow road5km south west of Annevoievisit de abbey ofMaredsous where you can taste monk’s beer and cheese.

Dinant - Another of those cities that was always at war with its rival neighbors. The very imposing citadel must have made the citizens feel safe. Perched on a rock it overlooks the river.Freyr castle - Just outside of Dinant (follow the Meuseriver) Freyr is a beautiful castle in Renaissance Mosan and Louis XV style,surrounded by gardens designed by the counts Beaufort Spontin , again with inspiration from Le Notre in the 17^th century . It also has an excellent view of the Meuse and the rocks on the other bank.   Cross the Meuse to Furfooz via the Walzin Castle.

Veves - Cross the Meuse direction Furfooz ( N 910) to one of the bestpreservedmedieval castles in Belgium standing imposingly in a bucolic setting.

Celles - Continue on N 910 to Celles a beautiful village with a Romanesque church ofthe 11^th century in pure Mosan style. Pay attention to the tombstone of theBeauforts in black Dinant marble.

Lavaux-St-Anne: Take the N94 to Lavaux-St-Anne, a hunting castle now a museum of Hunting, Game, Falconry and Nature.

Han sur Lesse and the Grottes de Han (N86 left at Lavaux-St-Anne) - A giant calcareous cave cut out by the Lesse river some 10km long can be visited. One of the rooms called, Chamber of Wonders, has the mysterious magic of a crystalpalace.Rochefort - Charming town on the Ourthe river is fishing hiking and biking paradise.

Marche en Famenne to Durbuy - Stay on N86, beautiful road to Durbuy which is another charming small town ideal for fishing, walking, biking. Take N641 to Modave castle.

Modave Castle - Begun in the 13^thcentury the Count of Marchinrestored it in the 17^thcentury to its present glory. Beautiful inside and outside. Lovely views of Hoyoux valley.

Huy - Continue on N641 to Huy. The collegiate church in flamboyant gothic style was finished in the 15^th century and is famous for its rosewindow 30ft in diameter. Alsovisit the treasury with a richcollection of Mosan gold and silver and two magnificent reliquaries from the 12^th and 13^th century.

Take the N 643 to E411 back to Brussels

Take E40 to E 42 go south until you cross N657 via Theux and N62 to SPA. This town gave its name to all spas in the world. The waters have been famous since Roman times. Crowned heads such as Queen Margot, Queen Christine of Sweden, Peter the Great but also our own King Leopold II came her to drink the waters, bathe in the waters and mud baths and walk in the beautiful forests. Today Spa is a holiday centeras well, complete with casino and a summertheatreand music festival.  Surrounding forests offer ideal hiking and biking paths.

On the way back to the highway E42 you will pass FRANCORCHAMPS the world famous Formula I race track. With a bit of advance notice, even amateur racers can take a spin on the track.

Take E 42 again to N68 for a quick visit of STAVELOT famous for its annual lent carnival. In the St. Sebastian church you can admire a 13^th century reliquary of St. Remaclus. Stay on N68 to go to MALMEDY a charming town set in a hollow surrounded by steep wooded hills. Continue to Reinhardstein castle an imposing fortress resuscitated from its ruins according to 17^th century drawings. At onetime the family Metternich was owner of this castle. Continue to EUPEN. Thisstretch of N68 is one of the most beautiful roads in Belgium right through the reserve of the HAUTES FAGNES an impressive highland. In the park the SIGNAL DE BOTRANGE marks the highest point in Belgium (2.277 ft).  On a clear day you can see as far as the city of Aachen in Germany.

From Eupen you can go back to Liege on E 40 or, if you wish, on to Brussels which is one hour driving from Liege.

To reach Bouillon take E 411 superhighway to where N89 crosses, go West on N89 to Bouillon (Km 270)

The name of this city goes back to the time of the first crusades when Godefroid of BOUILLONwent to Jerusalem. To pay for thetravel expenses he had to sell his castle to the Prince Bishops of Liege. The castle’s existence goes back to the 10^th century. From one of the towers there is a sweeping view of the meandering Semois river . The small town of Bouillon is a pleasant spot to stay and from where you can make lovely hiking trips in the beautiful forests around it. 

Take N83 to FLORENVILLE and N88 to ORVAL, the Benedictine abbey founded in 1070, later (12^th century) became one of the most famous Cistercianmonasteries in Europe . The monks stillbrew beer and make their own cheese.

From Orval join N85 via N840 to NEUFCHATEAU where you can take the highway E25 East to BASTOGNE. It is there that the Germans made a last attempt of an offensive with Antwerp as their target. The allies rebuffed the attack in one of the bloodiest battles of the war known as the Battle of the Bulge. The MARDASSON is the monumenterected in honor of the American soldierswho died here.

Go back to the highway to HOUFFALIZE were you go West to N860 to follow the river Ourthe to NADRIN and La ROCHE en ARDENNES, both pleasant holiday villages with great little inns and good restaurants. N 89-East will bring you back to super highway and Liege in less than an hour.