Abbey of Our Lady of Clairfontaine

Bouillon is nestled in a narrow bend of the Semois and is completely surrounded by steep, wooded hills. On one of them, a lookout tower has been built: from there, one can catch a glimpse of the famous little town and its surroundings in one glance. Bouillon is the unofficial capital of the Semois. Its history has been shaped by the unique fortified castle, which still dominates the town and is the main example of medieval military architecture in the southern part of the country. You can learn a lot about the fascinating historical past of the city at the Musée ducal (Ducal Museum) and at the Archéoscope Godefroid de Bouillon. Bouillon has preserved some parts of its former defensive belt, such as the bastion of the Dauphin, that of Brittany, and the bastion of Burgundy (1680). A tourist train takes you from one sight to another, including to a wildlife park. West of the town, on the peaceful banks of the Semois, lies the Our Lady of Clairfontaine Cistercian abbey, quietly overlooking the meadows by the Semois and the dense deciduous forests on the slopes. You can buy delicious bread there (on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:00 a.m.), as well as a selection of artisanal items made by the sisters living in the abbey.

Lannoo