Château fort de Bouillon

About the museum

Bouillon Castle is considered the oldest and most interesting surviving feudal fortress in Belgium. Built on three rocky outcrops overlooking the Semois and the town, it is one of the largest castles in the country; its first fortifications may date back to the 8th century. It became famous through Godfrey of Bouillon, leader of the First Crusade in 1096, who pawned it to the Bishopric of Liège to finance his expedition to the Holy Land.

During the wars of Louis XIV, major works were carried out by Vauban, and the castle was occupied by the military until 1830. The visit takes you through a maze of corridors and large vaulted halls: the main courtyard, where the lord's residence stood; Vauban's staircase, cut without mortar; the Godefroy Hall, carved out of the rock; the Austrian Tower, 75 metres above the Semois; the torture chamber, the prisons and the access bridges.

The castle is run by the Royal Syndicat d'Initiative de Bouillon. The main courtyard hosts a falconry show, the “ballet des rapaces” (birds of prey ballet), and the night show L'Odyssée de Lumière; the single ticket also gives access to the Scriptura museum, the Musée Ducal and the Bouillon Medieval Experience.

Highlights

• Oldest surviving feudal fortress in Belgium, on three rocky outcrops
• Vauban's staircase, Godefroy Hall and Austrian Tower with a view over the Semois
• “Ballet des rapaces” falconry show in the main courtyard
• L'Odyssée de Lumière, a night show by reservation
• Single ticket including the Scriptura museum, Musée Ducal and Bouillon Medieval Experience

Permanent exhibition

• Visite du château fort – Route through the vaulted halls, Vauban's staircase, the Austrian Tower and the prisons of the fortress, with a falconry show in the main courtyard.

Operated by

Royal Syndicat d'Initiative de Bouillon

Admission & discounts

The City Pass (12 November to 31 March) costs €12 for adults and €9.50 for children aged 4 to 12 and for students, and gives access to the castle, the Scriptura museum, the Musée Ducal and the Bouillon Medieval Experience. The City Pass + (1 April to 11 November) costs €16 / €12 and adds the falconry show and L'Odyssée de Lumière. The City Pass is the only ticket available for visiting the castle. Passes have no time limit and are not personal.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: not available
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The castle, more than 1,000 years old, is not suited to wheelchairs: the main courtyard is accessible, but the many staircases prevent visiting the whole site. Strollers are not recommended (stairs and narrow passages); they can be left at the entrance, by the ticket desk. Dogs are not allowed on the site because of the birds of prey; drones are prohibited; smoking is not allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

Presented as an experience for the whole family, with a birds of prey show; strollers not recommended.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit