Wednesday 01 September 2021
Today was Belgium day. And the second chateau of the trip, Chateau de Bouillon. What an amazing place! It is situated on a rocky spur of the Semois River and, although it was first mentioned in 998, had been occupied by some degree of fortification before that. It is one of the largest fortified castles in Belgium and has layer upon layer of defence built on the outcrops with draw bridges between them. You have to cross 2 to attack the inner sanctuary of this place.
A magnificent stone staircase built without any nails - just held up with expert stone cutting slotted into place.
Looking down on the inner court from the safety of the highest block.
A view from the first entrance showing the steep, unscalable sides surrounding the fort.
After lunch we drove the scenic route back down the Semois - beautiful views.
And we bagged castle number 3, Chateau d'Herbeumont. This didn't take quite so long to look around as Chateau Bouillon.
I'd spotted 'globe' mentioned in the guide book - who wouldn't want to stop by and look as this little beauty?
The local monks do a fine brew apparently, so it was churlish not to try it whilst passing.
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