I recently spent a weekend in a red double-decker bus in the Gaume region. This area situated in the southeast of Belgium, in the province of Luxemburg, is also known as Belgium’s Provence. Its hills are a little lower than the rest of the Ardennes. But its temperatures are often 1 to 3°C higher than the other parts of the province, due to its microclimate.
What I love most about the Gaume are the beautiful forests, the charming towns, the extremely winding river Semois and its many view points. Being able to explore this region from a red double-decker bus was a truly unique experience I love to share with you!
This article is sponsored by Wallonië België Toerisme (Wallonia Belgium Tourism), however my opinion is as always my own.
Exploring the Gaume region from a red double-decker bus
Sleeping in a red double-decker bus at Camping de la Semois
Like I already wrote; I truly love the river Semois. I remember me as a kid catching tiny fish with a small fishing net, standing in that wide and curvy river. So when I found out I was able to sleep in a red double-decker bus (I love London as well) on its river bank I couldn’t wait to go!
The arrival
You can find this fantastic red bus in the Gaume region at Camping de la Semois. This is a charming family camping located next to the river Semois between the cute little towns Sainte Cécile and Chassepierre about 5 km from the French border. Its owner is a friendly Dutch lady who gave me a warm welcome and was always available to provide me with information, if I had any questions. She guided me to the red bus and showed me how to open it. It still had the original key switch and buttons to open the bus doors! Also the call buttons of the bus still worked! (good luck if you have little children! 🙂 )
The red double-decker bus
The bus has everything you need to have a pleasant stay, whether it is only for a weekend or longer. Downstairs you’ll find a sleeping room with a double bed, two single beds, a small bathroom with a sink and a toilet and on the other side a shower room. Upstairs you’ll find a little kitchen and a seating area with a kitchen table. I did not cook in the bus, but there were two electric cooking plates, if you would like to.
The bus is located at the border of the camping so you have a nice view of the meadows and fields surrounding the camping on one side. At the other (camping) side you have a grass field in front of the bus with a picnic table where you can eat and relax.
The upper floor has heating, but downstairs it can get really chilly at night, depending on when you are staying there. I stayed in April when the nights still get cold (it was freezing) so at 4.00 am I woke up because of the cold. Luckily there were more duvets, so I could lay them on my bed as well. After that I slept again like a baby. During the summertime I don’t think the cold is a problem. The double bed itself was very comfortable and I loved the view in the morning. The sleeping areas have good thick curtains, so no light gets in. Also the bathrooms have curtains so no peepshows here!
The camping
The camping itself offers a lot of different places to stay. Not only can you vacation in a red double-decker bus, there are many other unique sleeping possibilities like:
- a treehouse
- a Berlin Bussing double-decker bus and an American schoolbus
- gypsy caravans, yurts
- a wine barrel
- Moroccan tent, Safari tent, tipi tent
- Cottage
Or you can just take your own tent or camper and rent a camping spot at the camping.
Normally the camping also has a little shop available to buy food and drinks, but due to Corona, this was closed now. You can cook your own food or you can get food at one of the nearby towns. I went for take away pizza at Pizzeria La Mamma in Florenville.
What I also loved is that there were plenty facilities for children like gocars and a playground. You could chill by the river in the sun. The camping also had its own little waste park, so you could recycle your waste.
I truly loved my stay at this lovely camping. It was a quiet place with lovely sleeping opportunities and everything was very clean. I am sure I will return here!
Things to do in the Gaume region
Of course I did not only spend time at the camping. The Gaume has plenty of things to offer! Here are the places I explored so far in this beautiful area.
Visit the Orval Abbey
Since this is such a unique and fantastic place a little history about this impressive abbey first!
This monastery was founded in 1070 near the source of Mathilde with the arrival of a Benedictine community coming from Italy. Why near this source? Out of gratefulness! According to the legend the widow countess Mathilde of Tuscany dropped her wedding ring into the spring of the valley. She begged God for help and a little later a trout appeared above water with the ring in his mouth. She then screamed “This is truly a golden valley!”. And this is also how Orval received its name. (Val d’or means golden valley)
In 1132 seven French monks arrived at Orval to found a Cistercian community and the construction of the abbey was started. During the Thirty Years War (starting in 1637) French soldiers looted and burned the abbey down but it got rebuilt by Laurent-Benoit Dewez. In 1759 it became the biggest monastery of Europe. But during the French Revolution the abbey of course got pillaged and destroyed again and all that was left were ruins.
During the 19th century the ruins were a tourist attraction, until after 130 years in 1926 dom Marie-Albert Van der Cruyssen decided to rebuilt the abbey. In 1928 the cheese factory was added and in 1931 the brewery was built. In 1948 the consecration of the abbey took place.
The abbey’s monks live in a community and their life is devoted to prayer, work and hospitality, according to the rules of St Benedict. The abbey is well known for its local production of the Trappist beer Orval and cheese. Hops were cultivated next to the monastery already in the 18th century. Most cisterian abbeys brewed beer for their communities, pilgrims and beggars. In Belgium there are currently six abbeys that create Trappist beer. At the abbey of Orval also three cheeses are produced based on the recipe for Port-Salut; Orval, Vieil Or and Orval beer cheese. They are all made from pasteurised full-fat milk from the Gaume region.
These days the abbey of Orval houses a museum that teaches you about the life of the monks, the history of the abbey and the production process of the cheese and beer. You can visit the impressive medieval ruins with the garden of medicinal plants, which was created around 1774. Also the dispensary did not exist before the 18th century. Monks are still living in the abbey. You can stay at the abbey for periods of retreat and recollection.
Location: Orval, n°1, 6823 Villers-devant-Orval
More info here.
Montauban hike
I did a nice 12 km hike starting at the ruins of the forges of Montauban. In the 16th century the iron industry flourished in this area. Montauban was one of the most famous workplaces. The first 3 kilometers of this hike are quite monotonous, but once the climb starts it becomes very beautiful and diverse. You’ll encounter different kinds of forests, ponds, paths and rivers. The landscape changes constantly and I even spotted a fox! I absolutely loved this hike! During spring you’ll encounter a lot of spring flowers like wood anemones. Find the hiking map here.
Location; parking at Rue de Montauban across Forges de Montauban, 6743 Etalle – follow the blue triangle
Tombeau du Géant
At the small commune Botassart you’ll find one of the most impressive viewpoints of Belgium, the Tombeau du Géant. It is called “Giant’s Tomb” because the hill, which is formed by a meander of the river Semois, looks like a huge coffin. From the viewpoint you can go hiking along the river banks of the Semois, which will lead you to a hanging bridge and some fantastic viewpoints!
Location: Rue de Châteaumont 53, 6833 Bouillon
Roche à l’Appel
Roche à l’appel is one of the most important nature reserves of Wallonia. It is a beautiful place to hike and from the top of the rock formation you’ll get a fantastic view of the surrounding forests. As if this isn’t enough you’ll also find a cute stone fairy bridge!
Location: Muno (drive to Rue de Cugnon and then drive further on the sandy rocky road, through the train tunnel and there you’ll find a parking lot.
Roche du Chât
Another great viewpoint in the Gaume region! Several hikes pass here. So choose one and go on an adventure!
Location: in the woods of Les Epioux (GPS 49°45’01.4″N, 05°15’54.87″E)
Viewpoint hiking at Chiny
You can do two fun hikes at Chiny both starting at the parking lot next to the hotel Comtes de Chiny. The first one is a short hike leading to the Rocher du Hât. It starts at the kayak rental at the end of the Rue de Cornicelles. This 15 minute walk will lead you through the forest and a lush area covered with ferns. After a short climb you’l arrive at the fantastic viewpoint.
The second hike also starts from the parking, but now you need to cross the bridge over the Semois. Then you go left to hike to the Rocher de l’Ecureuil and the Rocher du Pinco. I loved doing these hikes during autumn, but I am sure it will also be beautiful during the summer!
Read more about this hike in Hiking in the Belgian Ardennes: 10 most beautiful walks you must do
Location: Rue de Cornicelles, Chiny
I will be exploring the Gaume region some more in July, so I will be adding more places to explore later!
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