A big advantage of Belgium being such a small country is that you can easily do day trips from Brussels or plan weekend getaways, such as to the castle of Vêves! My favourite part of the country is undoubtedly the Ardennes, so we often go away for romantic weekends or just day trips in the area. The day trip below will take you only an hour or so by car from Brussels so I highly recommend that you try it out when you’re wondering what to do one weekend.
Castle of Vêves:
Start the day off by visiting the lovely Castle of Vêves. With its magnificent towers, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful medieval castles in Belgium. Its foundations date back to the time of Pepin de Herstal (670-714) because of its favourable location between Dinant and Rochefort. It also lies perched on a hilltop, which made it harder to invade. Destroyed and rebuilt, the castle remained a fortress throughout the Middle Ages, until the Renaissance when a complete transformation of the buildings was carried out.
Explore:
The castle is normally open all year round, but check ahead on their website to avoid disappointment. It is also one of the few inhabited castles in the country. The family Liedekerke Beaufort and their descendants have been living in the castle since the 12th century! How’s that for family history?
The rooms have been tastefully renovated and boast furniture from the 18th century. One of my favourite rooms was the armoury, which is floored with original sandstone from the 15th century. The Beaufort family coat of arms is also displayed in front of the fireplace.
Your tour will also take you through the charming little chapel, to a beautiful blue bedroom (pictured above), as well as a wonderfully-decorated red sitting room, where the furniture upholstery matches the wallpaper. Simply breathtaking.
The castle also organises professional or family events outside of their normal working hours, so if you’ve always dreamed of a fairy-tale wedding why not give them a call? Guided tours are also offered in English, French, Dutch and Spanish but make sure to call ahead and reserve if you want this option.
Tania’s tip: your children will love the Château de Vêves, as they get to wear prince and princess costumes while walking around with you, and this is included with the price of their entrance ticket.
Have a drink in:
There is a small café on the castle grounds which is normally open during visiting hours. You can buy different refreshments here including tea, coffee, or beer. If you’re lucky, they will be serving warm Belgian waffles like when we visited. If you get the chance, buy one, as they are absolutely delicious.
Eat in:
Le Saint Hadelin for some authentic Belgian cuisine. Located in Celles nearby, they are open every day except Wednesdays. You will love their outdoor terrace when it’s a sunny day, but call ahead to make sure you’ve got a table.