Driving Inspiration: Durbuy
Explore this boutique Belgian city with a fairy tale atmosphere.
- Driving inspiration
- Belgium
- Things to see and do in Durbuy, Belgium
-
Is Durbuy worth visiting?Yes, Durbuy is a delight.
Nestled in the captivating Ourthe valley in the Ardennes, this historic settlement has barely changed since it was first given city status by the Count of Luxembourg in the 14th century. It has a fairy tale feel, with cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses eminently Insta-worthy, and a romantic looking castle perched above the fast flowing river. In fact, Durbuy is known as the ‘smallest city in the world’ – even though, with an official population of over 11,000 (São Paulo in boutique city terms) it is not strictly true! Wandering its lovely little streets, adorned with cosy shops, restaurants and bars, and exploring its curiosities (like a topiary garden and a nature-themed adventure park), Durbuy is hidden Belgium at its most beautiful. -
Drive to Durbuy from CalaisIt takes around 3 hours 40 minutes to drive to Durbuy from the LeShuttle terminal at Calais. There are two main routes, with not much time difference between them. You could take the A26 south east through the Hauts-de-France region, before driving into Belgium on the E42, passing close to the Wallonian cities of Mons and Charleroi. You will have to pay tolls on this route, with the first part being through France. The great advantage of taking the other route, via Dunkirk and Brussels on the E40, is that there are no tolls, and driving through Flanders gives you the chance to stop off in the magnificent cities of Bruges or Ghent along the way.Read more about driving in Belgium
-
The best things to do in Durbuy
- Wander the cobblestone streets
- Eat a Belgian dish at one of its charming restaurants
- Get active at the Adventure Valley
- Take a kayak down the Ourthe
- Visit the Topiary garden
See Durbuy castle
There has been a castle in Durbuy since the 9th century, and the castle was at the centre of the fortified city during the Middles Ages, with towers, gates and a drawbridge. During the Second World War it was used as a military hospital.
Durbuy castle is a private residence, so unfortunately is not open to the public. While it is not possible to step inside, you can still admire its picturesque neo-Gothic features, and capture a stunning photograph or two. Its commanding position over the river Ourthe makes it the perfect focal point. Walk along the bridge and across to the western banks of the river, or for some of the best views, take the ‘tourist train’ from the hotel Le Sanglier des Ardennes, around the old town walls up to the Belvédère watchtower.
Experience the thrills of Adventure Valley
Kayaking down the Ourthe river is just one of the many activities on offer at the family-friendly Adventure Valley nature park near Durbuy. You can rent a kayak for an hour and take a 4km round trip, or paddle for two hours on an 8km route. It’s a leisurely way to soak up the natural beauty of the river and its steep sided wooded valley.
What else can you do at Belgium’s largest adventure park?
Wend your way through a natural labyrinth, solving puzzles and being entertained at every turn or dead end. Climb through the trees on the treetop adventure courses, go tubing down a 200 metre slide, or fly over the park at 50 km/h on the largest zip wire in the Low Countries.
Admire the carvings in the Topiary park
It’s all very Belgian.
250 boxwood bush carvings arranged in a topiary garden, mainly of animals, but some depicting people and more abstract subjects. The art of topiary dates back to the Roman Empire, and this statement topiary garden – thought to be Europe’s largest – makes for quite a contrast in the wild and sprawling Ardennes.
You’ll enjoy wandering the pristine terraces and avenues, beneath the impressive sight of Durbuy’s castle, and develop quite an appreciation for the gardeners who tend these green ornamental sculptures and keep them so well manicured. Some of the plants are over 120 years old! Keep your eyes peeled for a version of the famous Mannekin Pis in Brussels and several other cheeky statues.
Hike the trails in the Ardennes hills
Waterfalls, winding river valleys, hills, lakes and thick, deep forests – Wallonia has it all for walkers.
The trails range from comfortable, family-friendly short walks to challenging multi-day hikes, but wherever you walk you are assured of fine views (and the occasional lung-busting climb). Some of our favourite trails near Durbuy include a 7km route near Villers-Sainte-Gertrude, exploring the former industrial landscape of the Vieux Moulin valley, and a 5-day adventure hike in the Two Ourthes Nature Park, consisting of five loops starting and finishing in the same place – Beauplateau.
The trails have good waymarking but some experience of using a map and compass would be handy.
Explore the Hotton and Han-sur-Lesse caves
Wallonia is home to some spectacular cave systems.
The caves of Han-sur-Lesse (around 40 minutes drive from Durbuy) are the result of erosion of a limestone hill, with the river plunging deep into the cave network. Accessible only from a tramcar from the village, a guided tour of the caves of Han-sur-Lesse takes around 1 ½ hours, and includes a sound and light show in one of the largest cave galleries.
The other unmissable cave system is at Hotton, less than 20 minutes drive from Durbuy, where the erosion has produced other worldly rock formations, formed over thousands of years. At the centre of the cave is a 35-metre deep sinkhole, plunging away into the depths of the Earth, and all around is the sound of the rushing underground torrent.
Taste Ardennes dishes and local beer
Durbuy may be small, in truth little more than a large village, but it still has four restaurants included in the Michelin Guide, including one with a star – Le Grand Verre. That’s quite a hit rate! Packed into its postage stamp footprint of charming lanes are eateries to suit all budgets and tastes. Those that specialise in local produce seem to make the biggest impression on visitors, with dishes including roast deer, locally cured meats and sausages, all fruits of the Ardennes!
Like most places in Belgium there will be a strong local beer to pair your food with, and while the old microbrewery in the town is sadly no more, regionally brewed Durboyse is still available. La Chouffe is also popular, an internationally renowned Ardennes blonde ale. These unfiltered beers are fermented a second time after bottling, giving them a distinctive flavour.
Image credit: Gordito1869, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
