FORTIFIED CASTLE OF BOUILLON AND ITS BIRD OF PREY SPECTACLE

© OPT / Joseph Jeanmart

© OPT / Joseph Jeanmart

© OPT / Joseph Jeanmart

The castle-fortress of Bouillon is one of the most ancient and interesting remains of feudalism in Belgium with the first fortifications thought to go back as far as the 8th century. The castle-fortress of Bouillon was built on three rocky outcrops overhanging the Semois river and is characterized by a labyrinth of corridors and huge vaulted halls. The castle became first famous due to Godefroid, an acknowledged defender of Saint Sépulcre and the leader of the first Crusade (1096). In order to finance his expedition to the Holy Land, he mortgaged the castle with the Archbishop of Liège. During the wars of Louis XIV it underwent large-scale refurbishments by Vauban.

Comment:

Closed on 25/12 and 01/01.
Access for persons with reduced mobility: limited to the courtyard and the raptor ballet.
Raptor ballet from 01/03 to 11/11 at 11.30 am, 2 pm, 3.30 pm (5 pm on WE from 01/04 to 30/09 as well as in July and August), every WE of the year and every school holidays.
Educational exhibition on falconry all year round.
Duration of the visit: 1h + 20 min.
Guided visit on request with max 35 pers per guide.
Timetable: In July and August in FR and NL at 10.20 am, 10.40 am, 12 pm, 12.30 pm, 1 pm, 2.30 pm, 2.50 pm, 4 pm and 4.20 pm and off season on request.
Languages: FR, NL, DE and EN.
Animals not allowed.

Access: by road, follow the E411, and take exit 25 to Libramont (Bertrix), then the N89, N4, N83 or N58 / by train: Libramont station, then take a bus.

Extra information:

Treasure hunt possible by reservation for groups of children (-12 years), duration 2h (guided visit + game), € 4,70/child, € 3,80/accompanying adults and € 45,-/guide (max. 35 pers.).
Valley of the Semois (with your car) with guide.
Guide rate: 1 hour: € 30 - 1/2 day: € 60 - 1 day: € 98 + allowance for the meal.
Nocturnal visit with torches to the castle of Bouillon, guiding required € 35 (max. 35 pers)., € 2,50/torch, duration 1h.
- Historical visit to the castle of Bouillon, duration 1h30, guiding € 45 and usual entrance fee.

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