Loop trail from the Tombeau du Geant to Bouillon

Loop walk of the Tombeau du Géant along the Semois to Bouillon.

The river meander named ‘Le Tombeau du Géant’ has inspired many landscape painters and photographers. It forms the backdrop for this beautiful walk along the banks of the Semois.

At the viewpoint of Botassart, the bright blue sky allows for observation of the magnificent meander of the Semois, along with the belt of green that surrounds it. From here, the path winds along withered bushes to the banks of the Semois. Here, just like elsewhere in the region, you will discover an authentic river. The road along the Semois is stunning. The clear water clearly reveals the strands of green algae. Under the sunshine, the shades of the river vary from blue to fluorescent green. It looks like an impressionist painting. At the Moulin de l’Epine, the path spirals up to the hilltops above Bouillon. Upon leaving the forest, the panoramic tower appears, offering a beautiful view of the ancient city. The descent occurs along a protruding path that can compete with the most beautiful mountain routes. On your return, you follow the Grand Ruisseau, a tributary of the Semois, which concludes this lovely walk.

The village of Botassart, easily accessible by car, is especially known for its stunning view of "The Tomb of the Giant," a site classified as an extraordinary heritage of Wallonia. To preserve the view, the silted area has been completely restored to its grassy state.

The name "Tombeau du Géant" comes from the legend of a Gallic hero, of impressive stature, who refused to be taken prisoner by the Romans and preferred to throw himself from the rock "Rocher des Gattes" rather than die in the arena of the Colosseum. The next day, the people of Botassart found his body and buried him at the top of the hill surrounded by the river.

It is also a historical site crossed by a path used by Prussian and German troops in 1914 and 1940. These Germans left their name to the ford Germowez and the nearby forest.
Nearby, the site of Châteaumont was part of the estate of the lords of Botassart.
The slope on the left is called the Bichetour, one of the seven "forests of the Ardennes" that belonged to the family of Ardenne-Verdun, the ancestors of Godefroid de Bouillon.
At the foot lies the Moulin du Rivage, which was once powered by the "Grand Ruisseau."