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 characterised by a labyrinth of corridors and huge vaulted halls. The castle became first famous due to Godefroid, an acknowledged defender of the Holy Sepulcre 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 December and 1 January
Access for persons with reduced mobility: limited to the courtyard and the raptor ballet
Raptor ballet from 1 March to 11 November at 11:30 am, 2 pm, 3:30 pm (5 pm on weekends from 1 April to 30 September as well as in July and August), every weekend of the year and 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 in the morning: 10:20 -10:40 -12:00. Afternoon: 12:30 - 1:00 - 2:30 - 2:50 - 4:00 - 4:20. Off season: on request
Languages: FR, NL, DE and EN
Animals not allowed

Access
By car: 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 own 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, guide €45 and usual entrance fee

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Events organised by this attraction:

• Torchlight Visits by Night to the Castle