When life feels like a swirl, it’s good to hit the pause button, find a nature spot, and spend a fun time as a family. We escaped to the Famenne Ardenne region, known for its castles, nature sites, leisure parks with the children and their grandmother. Three generations sharing a good time and much laughing !
I had, for the weekend, booked 2 nights in a gîte in Waha, by Marche-en-Famenne. The program looked promising : castles and pretty villages, a gentle hike and parks. A wide range of activities, perfect to gather new memories. The perfect weekend.
Day 1: Fond des Vaulx and the Chevetogne estate
The day started in Marche-en-Famenne, exploring the Fond des Vaulx valley. The landscape, here, contrasts strongly with the nearby plains.
© WBT - Bons Baisers d'Aurélie
An easy 4 km walk takes us along the woodlands, filled with geological curiosities. The forest path things down, wanders among the trees, neither too simple nor complicated, perfect for our adventurers to be.
Along our stroll, we all enjoyed taking a closer look at the caves and underground cavities around. We arrived at the donkey enclosure and met a colt. Heart melting!
We then headed toward the Chevetogne estate, for a relaxing afternoon. The vast lawns prove perfect for a terroir products picnic. Filled up, we went in search of the Hobbit hut. There are many tiny houses hidden within the park but I knew this one would sharpen the kids’ curiosity.
© WBT - Bons Baisers d'Aurélie 
© WBT - Bons Baisers d'Aurélie
© WBT - Bons Baisers d'Aurélie
Here nature is particularly well taken care of, cocooned, almost with explanations for the visitors. A few signed paths lead you through the estate, each coming with its own path. Once our hut found, we decided to wander, without aim, just enjoying the green setting.
© WBT - Bons Baisers d'Aurélie
© WBT - Bons Baisers d'Aurélie
Seeing some canoes on one of the ponds, we decided to join the fun and paddled happily to “the end of the world”, adding an ice-cream to the afternoon. The Glacetronome parlour simply is irrésistible !
Back to the gîte, we all jumped into the pool. The temperatures are pleasant, the weather on our side and this really feels like a holiday.
Day 2: the Vêves and Lavaux Sainte Anne castles
A breakfast on the terrace of the gîte, which overlooks the valley, and we go on a castle hunt, filled with dreams of dragon and knights.
The day begins at the Château de Vêves, built on a hill. Its pointed towers feel right out of a fairy tale, or Poudlard – depending on your favourite magical universe. A princess welcomes up and sends you on a quest to find a lost treasure.
© WBT - Bons Baisers d'Aurélie
© WBT - Bons Baisers d'Aurélie
Sword and shield in hand, we make our way through the fortress, solving riddles along the way. 1h30 later, we reach the dragon’s hide. We have to tiptoe to avoid waking it and steal its chest. Mission accomplished! A big smile on our face, we’re now ready to leave the castle.
© WBT - Bons Baisers d'Aurélie
Before getting to the Château de Lavaux Sainte Anne, we stop for lunch in Celles, one of the prettiest villages in Wallonia. The Val Joli restaurant there has the most poetic garden. The meal is followed by a stroll through the picture perfect streets around and get back on the road.
The last activity of the weekend takes place at Lavaux Sainte Anne medieval castle, surrounded by moats and a deer park. Inside the building are three museums: one presenting the life of the lords in the 17th century, another on rural life in the region in the 19th century and the last one on nature and hunting.
© WBT - Bons Baisers d'Aurélie
The visit is didactic. We discover, with curiosity and surprise, the objects used in daily life in the last century, which includes waffle makers. This dessert clearly is much older than we thought! The castle is quite well preserved, as is the furniture. It’s so tempting to snap your fingers, in the hope we would travel in time. A dancing ball would come alive in the great hall, horses would appear in the stables, the market would busy itself in the yard, cake scents would rise from the kitchens…
The day comes to an end, we start the drive back home. The weekend really was rich in discoveries, everyone really enjoyed themselves. Taking the time to have fun with the children, have mini adventures with them, opening them to the world… matters most to us. In Wallonia, you can do all that over a weekend, how amazing is that?
Absolute must-do with children during a weekend in Famenne Ardenne
© WBT - Patrick Bombaert
- Meet animals from all over Europe at the Grottes de Han estate
- Discover the life of yesteryear at Lavaux Sainte Anne castle
- Spend a day in nature at the Chevetogne estate – there is so much to do: a swimming pool, play areas, themed walks, canoeing…
- Travel to Gallo Roman times at the Rochefort Archeoparc in Malagne
- Look for the Totemus treasure in Marche-en-Famenne
- Fall in love with Celles, one of the prettiest villages in Wallonia
- Kayak down the Ourthe river with Durbuy Aventure
- Pretend to be a knight at the Château de Vêves
Our favourite addresses
Hotels with family rooms (for 3 or 4) in Famenne Ardenne
Gîte Au Cri du Paon, Rue du Petit Bois 41, 6900 Marche-en-Famenne
This is where we spent the weekend : a farm renovated with care complete with a large garden, a trampoline, a swimming pool, table tennis and a splendid view of the valley (perfect for aperitif time when the sun sets)- Hôtel Quartier Latin, Rue des Brasseurs 2, 6900 Marche-en-Famenne
Kids friendly restaurants in Famenne Ardenne
Red Tomato (Rue du Luxembourg 2/24, 6900 Marche-en-Famenne) : Finger licking take away pizzas
Boucherie Libotte (Rue de Behogne 18, 5580 Rochefort) : Lots of delicious local products to compose a picnic
Restaurant Val Joli (Rue Saint-Hadelin 2, 5561 Houyet) : Generous plates, filled with flavours and a poetic garden
Practical information
Fond des Vaulx
Marche en Famenne
Parking in the Rue du Viaduc
Blue rectangle markers for a 4.5 km walk
Yellow rectangle markers for a 2.2 km walk
Domaine de Chevetogne
Domaine provincial de Chevetogne - 5590 Chevetogne
Duration: a full day
Fee: 12€/car
Fees on special days: 10 to 15€/person
No need to book but do check the calendar to check the fee
Château de Vêves
Rue de Furfooz 3 - 5561 Celles
Duration: 1h30
8 €/adult
5 €/child (over the age of 4)
Booking is recommended
Château de Lavaux Sainte Anne
Rue du Château 8 - 5580 Rochefort
Duration: 1 to 3 h
8 €/adult
5 €/child (age 3 to 12)
Booking is recommended
