Bouillon Castle — Attraction in Bouillon

Genuine medieval castle, with a birds of prey show - literally epic visit

This is a full-sized, perfectly maintained, medieval castle, not mere ruins. And we're talking epic knight battle castle, not Cinderella's. Great visit for adventurers.

We opted for the guide map, but there are also an audio guide and guided tour options.

There is a suggested path that takes you through the whole castle, clearly marked with numbers on the map and along the way, with their corresponding description on the guide book.

What we enjoyed the most along the tour: the view from the top: the castle is atop a small mountain the arrowslits: seeing through them, you get the feeling of being a knight! the tunnels dug into the rock itself, that even require you to crouch sometimes the long subterranean the torture chamber the oubliettes and dungeon and, most notably, the birds of prey show!:

Show involving different sorts of birds of prey and highlighting their characteristics: chouette (white), hibou (ominous), aigle (big), vautour (scary), buses, faucon (fast - involves a cool demonstration using a sling). One of the birds in particular is very impressive: they call it Spartacus, and I'll leave it at that... The birds fly really low and close to the public head's. The falconers are very funny, engaging and seem to genuinely care about the animals. We greatly enjoyed the show!

Infos:

free car park in front entrance: 49.794428, 5.067040 castle's entrance fee: adult 6.50 euros guide map (recommended): 1.50 euros the birds show (already included in the entry fee) is organised I believe 3 times a day duration: 2-3 hours

Nearby:

the castle is located in the small city of Bouillon itself and overhangs the Semois river shops, restaurants and bars Semois river forest: Bois de Bichelour

Strolls

The Semois border and Bois de Bichelour makes for nice strolls: after leaving the castle, we parked here: 49.797334, 5.068609 we walked along the Semois to the eastern bridge to cross it once on the opposite side, we walked north, again along the Semois we followed its curve through a dirt path, until we reached the west bridge we followed the Boulevard Vauban back to our car estimated stroll duration: a little over an hour

Tips & Tricks

Some months during the year, night visits are organised. Having seen the castle during the day, I can easily imagine how cool it would be during the night! But no bird show though...

Visited...

Step Back in Time at the Castle of Bouillon

Tucked away in the picturesque Ardennes town of Bouillon, the Castle of Bouillon is not just a magnificent fortress — it’s a journey through nearly a millennium of European history. Perched on a rocky hill overlooking the Semois River, this castle offers an immersive experience that combines stunning views, engaging exhibits, and deep historical significance.

The castle’s origins date back to at least the 10th century, with its most famous historical figure being Godfrey of Bouillon, who sold the castle in 1096 to finance his participation in the First Crusade. Godfrey would go on to become one of the leaders of the Crusader army and was later named Defender of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Over the centuries, the castle underwent numerous transformations. During the 16th and 17th centuries, under Spanish and then French control, it was extensively fortified by military engineer Vauban, adapting it to resist gunpowder artillery. These fortifications, tunnels, and strategic defense structures are still visible and explorable today.

Visitors can expect to spend several hours navigating through the castle’s nearly 30 designated points of interest. Each stop offers unique insights into the castle’s military, political, and cultural past, while also granting breathtaking views of the town and valley below.

In addition to its historical depth, the castle also hosts modern attractions including a spectacular light show and three daily birds-of-prey demonstrations—though we, unfortunately, missed them during our visit. These activities further enrich the experience, especially for families and school groups.

While parking can be a bit limited if you arrive later in the day, it’s a small hurdle for such a rewarding visit. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply looking for a unique day trip, the Castle of Bouillon is a captivating destination that offers something for all ages.

If you want to have a visual experience of the history, don't forget to visit the "Medieval Experience " right...

Our family had an unforgettable adventure exploring Bouillon Castle during our September visit! The size of the castle is impressive, with so many rooms, tunnels, and staircases to discover. The kids absolutely loved exploring every corner, and we all felt like we were stepping back in time.

One of the highlights was the birds of prey show, which was a unique and thrilling experience for all of us. Watching the majestic birds in action added something special to our visit.

The views from the top of the castle are breathtaking, offering stunning panoramas of the valley and river below. We spent a good amount of time just soaking in the beauty from above.

Overall, Bouillon Castle provided a perfect blend of history, adventure, and fun for the whole family! Highly recommend it for anyone...