"Bouillon - quite a surprise." Bouillon by davidcross

Those with cars simply follow a map. Surprisingly it is not so much harder by public transport, even though its some way from a railway. Libramont is on the main line from Brussels to Luxembourg and there are buses from outside the station to Bouillon.<br>
This is in the Belgian Province of Luxembourg [different from the independent Grand Duchy.] The nearest country is France.

Having not only read that Bouillon was a kayak resort but actually failed to get into any of its numerous hotels on friday and Saturday because of a special kayaking weekend, I expected to find rapid water and falls. <br>
I found instead a superb spot for beginners' kayaking with a wide slow and fairly shallow river winding in great loops down its valley.
In one loop is Le Chateau Fort.
The sides of the valley are high, forrested and steep.

As you stand at river level in Bouillon you see this wondrous castle, the stuff of dreams for children of all ages, and it is way above you!<br>
For the fully fit there is a staircase which I, with a dicky heart, found ideal for a route DOWN. However there is a pretty steep road = thogh nowhere near as steep as the stairs, which rises to the town hall and the local museum. From here there is a sign pointing the less able up by a fairly gentle path [all things are relative. As you approach the castle you pass through gatehouses and over bridges which recently enough had looked inaccessibly high.<br>

• Pros:Lovely situation, dream castle, plenty of accommodation
• Cons:For me - a massive cold and cough!
• In a nutshell:Beautiful and relaxing