Papillon Bouillon

Hiking in the Belgian Ardennes is second to none, with trails for all ages and abilities. Families with older kids can go cycling and mountain biking in the surrounding hills, and if you’re visiting in summer, there’s kayaking and other watersports on the Semois. You have stunning views over Bouillon from the site, and it’s equally splendid up close. Walk down to this medieval town in half an hour (it’s an uphill trek getting back). It sits on a Semois River meander cut deep into the cliffside; you can catch historic multimedia displays at the Archéoscope Godefroid de Bouillon and see regional crafts at the Musée Ducal, but the star of the show here is the medieval castle, its ramparts and torture chambers. When you all need a day off from sporting activities, you can jump aboard the mini-train in Parc Animalier de Rochehaut (20 minutes’ drive) to see fallow deer, donkeys and bison grazing in the meadows. Other day trips could include the Cistercian Abbaye d’Orval (35 minutes), where local cheeses and Trappist beers can be sampled (and bought), or Sedan (20 minutes) over the border into France and the host of medieval events in one of Europe’s largest castles.