© Unsplash
Bouillon Castle
Château de Bouillon
Belgium · Wallonia, Luxembourg Province · Near Liège
Built 988 · Medieval / Vauban
Quick Facts
- Hours
- Extended to 18:00 July and August. Open daily March to November. Reduced hours December to February.
- Tickets from
- €10
- Duration
- 1.5–2 hours
- Best time
- April to October
- Nearest city
- Liège
Highlights
- ✦Home of Godfrey of Bouillon, leader of the First Crusade (1096)
- ✦One of the oldest and best-preserved medieval castles in Belgium
- ✦Dramatically wrapped around a rocky loop of the Semois River
- ✦Underground passages and dungeons open to explore
- ✦Spectacular views over the Ardennes forest from the battlements
Skip the queue with a guided tour
Skip-the-line tickets & expert guides
Bouillon Castle is the most historically charged medieval fortress in Belgium — the ancestral seat of Godfrey of Bouillon, who sold or mortgaged the castle to finance his participation in the First Crusade in 1096 and went on to become the first ruler of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. The castle wraps dramatically around a rocky spur almost entirely enclosed by a loop of the Semois River, deep in the Ardennes forest. First documented in 988, it is one of the oldest castles in Belgium and preserves an impressive sequence of medieval towers, underground passages, and Vauban-era modifications. The surrounding town of Bouillon is the most picturesque in the Belgian Ardennes, its slate-roofed houses mirrored in the river below the fortress walls.
History
The castle was first documented in 988 as a stronghold of the Counts of Ardennes. It became the seat of the Duchy of Bouillon and the birthplace of Godfrey of Bouillon, who sold it to the Prince-Bishop of Liège in 1096 to finance the First Crusade. After Godfrey captured Jerusalem in 1099, becoming its first ruler, the castle passed through various hands including the French crown and the Prince-Bishops of Liège. It was modified by the military engineer Vauban in the 17th century. Belgium acquired it after independence in 1830.
How to Visit
Bouillon is in the southern Belgian Ardennes, 30 km south of Bastogne and 20 km from the French border. By car from Brussels it takes about 2.5 hours via the E411. No direct train; buses run from Libramont station. The town is a popular weekend destination from Belgium, Luxembourg, and northern France. Kayaking on the Semois river offers a spectacular view of the castle from the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
A medieval Frankish knight who sold Bouillon Castle to finance the First Crusade in 1096. He became the leader of the Crusader forces that captured Jerusalem in 1099 and was offered the title of King, which he refused, calling himself instead 'Advocate of the Holy Sepulchre.' He is one of medieval Europe's most celebrated heroes.
Location
Rue du Château 1, 6830 Bouillon, Belgium
Nearby Castles
Tours & Tickets
Powered by GetYourGuide
Entry from
€10/ adult