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One night in the Ardennes

If you were going to the Ardennes and planned on going to Orval and Chimay monasteries, Dinant, and Bastogne (from Bruges), where would you stay for the night?

Posted by
1005 posts

You seem to be covering a lot of territory for one day. I would probably visit the monasteries and Dinant on the drive in, and then stay overnight in Bastogne. In the morning I would tour the wonderful museum there and maybe hire a local guide to show me some of the battlefield sights. If you're looking for a Bastogne hotel, Hotel Wagon Leo is in the city center and has a great restaurant too.

Posted by
111 posts

Thanks for the reply T. and for the hotel suggestion.
I'm thinking if we drive from Bruges hit Chimay and Orval on the one day and then Bastogne and Dinant on the way back. There just is never enough time...

Posted by
1954 posts

How attractive Dinant is for visiting or staying is a bit a point of discussion. Some like it and some are disappointed after visiting. Speaking for myself I have to say that it’s glory is to me something a bit of the past. As a kid I visited it several times in the late 60’s and early 70’s in the period that Wallonia was more wealthy, places like Dinant had a better reputation and was for many a popular holiday destination before everybody started going to the Mediterranean. Five years back I visited again, but it was not the place anymore that it was in my memory.

A place I liked more a year ago in September was Bouillon, well-known for it’s huge medieval castle and Godfried of Bouillon, one of the leading figures during the first Crusade. You will pass it driving from Chimay to Orval, or the latter to Dinant. Think Bouillon is not so bad located for doing your tour there.

Posted by
111 posts

@Wil thanks again. I will research places to stay in Bouillon. I love a good castle!