Camping in Ardennes

The wooded and hilly Ardennes in the north of France and southern Belgium are a true natural paradise and the perfect place to get away from it all. PiNCAMP presents the best campsites in the Ardennes and provides you with all the important information for your camping adventure.

Camping in the Ardennes: All important information at a glance

Unspoilt coniferous forests, mysterious stalactite caves, gently rolling hills and ancient castle ruins that bear witness to a lively past: these are the Ardennes. The region is popular with holidaymakers for its beautiful natural surroundings and numerous leisure and sports activities. And what better way to combine this with a camping holiday?

The campsites in the Ardennes are characterised by a high level of comfort and their location in the heart of nature. Surrounded by forests and vast meadows, you can spend the night in an idyllic setting and wake up in the morning to the sound of birdsong as the neighbouring rivers and streams babble by.

In addition to pitches for your motorhome or caravan, the campsites usually also rent out mobile homes, bungalows or chalets if you are travelling by car or train. Dogs are allowed on many campsites, but you should find out about the campsite's rules in advance.

As the Ardennes are an extremely popular destination for holidaymakers, the campsites are often fully booked in the summer months. You should therefore book well in advance to avoid any nasty surprises. Wild camping and camping in the open are not permitted, but you are allowed to stay in your motorhome in a car park for one night.

The 5 best campsites in the Ardennes

Below we present 5 recommended campsites in the Ardennes. These sites are characterised by their beautiful location, good service and excellent value for money.

Parc La Clusure

In the heart of the Belgian Ardennes, this beautiful campsite is located in a wooded valley on the banks of a small river with plenty of fish. The sanitary facilities are in very good condition and the flat pitches are suitable for different sizes. Children will enjoy the swimming pool and there is also an extensive entertainment programme.

Camping Pouhou

This nature campsite on a tributary of the Ourthe is a real insider tip. Here you can experience pure nature and an ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding area by hiking, cycling or kayaking. The only drawback is that the site is closed to cars and therefore only suitable for tent campers.

Outdoor Camping Barvaux

Medium-sized camping park with 170 pitches near the small town of Durbuy. As the name suggests, the site is perfect for outdoor adventurers. The extensive sports programme includes activities such as mountain biking, canoeing, archery, abseiling and via ferrata climbing tours.

Ardennes Camping Bertrix

Beautiful campsite on a terraced site and suitable for both longer and shorter stays. The site is quite remote, but also very quiet. The site has a very good restaurant and a heated swimming pool, and there is a paintball area and a play forest for children.

Camping de l'Ourthe

This cosy, family campsite is located in a picturesque valley on the banks of the Ourthe. The Örthen La Roche is a few minutes' walk away, but there is also a small grocery shop on site. In summer, there are regular activities for young and old.

How to get to the Ardennes

From Germany, always head west with your motorhome. The easiest way to reach the Ardennes is via Frankfurt am Main and Cologne. From the Rhine metropolis, head towards Aachen and shortly afterwards to Belgium. South of Liège and Namur, the landscape gradually begins to change: The forests of the Ardennes spread out and the hills rise gently upwards.

From Namur, municipalities such as Rochefort and Paliseul are not far away. Across the border to France, you will find idyllic campsites in the French Ardennes Nature Park around the towns of Bogny-sur-Meuse, Fumay and Revin.

The distance between Cologne and Namur on the edge of the Belgian Ardennes is around 180 kilometres. It is a good 100 kilometres more to France. If you want to drive directly to the French Ardennes without crossing Belgium, take the route via Trier and Luxembourg or Saarbrücken and Metz.

The main motorways to the Ardennes are the A6 and the A1, and if you are coming from Cologne, the A4. Tip: Don't forget that you have to pay tolls in France. In Belgium, this road toll is waived, at least for cars. Motorhomes have to pay tolls depending on the size of the vehicle.

Destinations in the Ardennes

Camping in the Ardennes in the idyllic communities around the River Meuse quickly gives you that holiday feeling. The river meanders through towns such as Dinant, Bogny-sur-Meuse and Revin. In the old towns, culture lovers can admire castles, castle ruins and historic stone buildings.

Dinant

The small, tranquil town of Dinant is located in the southern Namur province of Belgium and impresses with its mighty fortifications. The castle is enthroned high on the cliffs and overlooks the fertile Meuse valley. Climbing up to the viewpoints is a real must for every holidaymaker. The old town centre with its historic houses and the Charles de Gaulle Bridge is also well worth a visit.

Revin

Revin on the French side is surrounded by the typical wooded hills of the Ardennes. The loop made by the Meuse in this area is particularly impressive. Tip: There are some lovely campsites in the vicinity of Revin with direct access to the local hiking trails of the Ardennes.

Bogny-sur-Meuse

The French town of Bogny-sur-Meuse is located directly on the border with Belgium and is pleasantly quiet with only 5,000 inhabitants. Those seeking relaxation can unwind perfectly here on the banks of the Meuse and admire the picturesque Ardennes mountains. In the old town centre, the mighty statue of Bayard on the site of the old Château-Regnault castle is well worth seeing.

These 5 sights are not to be missed

• Charleville-Mézières: In the capital of the French département of Ardennes, culture vultures can visit the medieval fortresses and the extensive Ducale Square.
• Givet: Regional farmers' markets, picturesque little houses and the Charlemont fortress are the landmarks of Givet.
• Les Grottes de Neptune: With their stalagmites and stalactites, the mystical-looking grottos near Couvin are an exciting place of discovery for families.
• Château de Bouillon: In Bouillin, Belgium, medieval fans can visit an imposing castle that towers high above the loop of the Semois River.
• La Vallée de la Hoëgne: On the hiking trail, nature lovers can explore the oak forests of the Ardennes and follow the course of the Hoëgne river.

Activities and excursions while camping in the Ardennes

The Ardennes are a true paradise for sports and leisure-oriented holidaymakers and there is a wide range of activities on offer: go on a discovery tour on foot or on horseback, explore the fish-rich rivers and lakes by canoe or visit one of the many fortresses and castle ruins that rise up out of the landscape.

Adventurous campers can take a rafting tour through the rapids or marvel at the fascinating rock formations and stalactites in the numerous stalactite caves. Cycling tours through the coniferous forest-covered hills of the Ardennes are also very popular.

One advantage of the region is that many campsites are located directly in the countryside. Outdoor enthusiasts therefore use the campsites as an ideal starting point for discovery tours and hikes through the hilly landscape, which is repeatedly criss-crossed by spectacular river valleys and rapids. The spectacular landscapes can also be discovered particularly well by canoe or bike.

From the highest points, you can enjoy marvellous views over the Ardennes. The Ardennes are dotted with small, idyllic towns such as Saint-Hubert or Bastogne with churches worth seeing and local shops, which can be easily reached by bike from the nearby campsites.

Hiking

The forests of the Ardennes offer the best conditions for setting off on an extensive hike. On the well-maintained paths, you can see majestic oak trees and follow clear streams. The idyllic little villages in the region are perfect for a break.

Cycling

Grab a touring bike and simply follow the rivers such as the Meuse or the Semois. The enchanting bends of the watercourses and the picturesque small towns on the banks are particularly worth seeing. In France, Belgium and Luxembourg, there are also numerous mountain bike trails waiting for ambitious athletes.

Water sports

In the Ardennes, sports enthusiasts can set off on an exciting tour in a canoe or rowing boat. Many campsites in the Ardennes offer boats for hire or are located near local operators.

events

June to October

• Les Festival de Wallonie: Every summer, one of Belgium's most important music festivals takes place in Namur (and other cities). More than 150 concerts are organised, ranging from classical to modern. Ancient abbeys and cathedrals, castles and historic buildings serve as the backdrop.

August

• Les Musicales de Bouillon: The Musicales music festival is celebrated in a cosy atmosphere in Bouillon every August. The programme mainly includes rock, pop, jazz and funk concerts. You can also take part in workshops and dance to DJ sets in the evening. The highlight is the fireworks display over Bouillon Castle.

November

• Foire aux Oignon: The onion festival takes place every November in the French town of Givet. On this day, visitors can buy delicious regional products at the markets. The locals cook regional specialities for the guests, e.g. onion tart and onion soup. They also serve a number of other dishes, such as game stews with regional mushrooms. Smoked sausage made from wild boar meat is a great souvenir to take back to the campsite.

Gastronomic highlights for camping gourmets

Even if you prefer to cater for yourself, you should definitely try out the local cuisine. In the Ardennes, many of the ingredients for tasty dishes come from the rivers. Trout, pike and carp are served in restaurants in France and Belgium. These delicacies are usually seared and served with flavourful herb sauces. On the French side, beef stews with potatoes and turnips are popular.

Compared to the rest of the country, the cuisine is far more savoury. In autumn, wild boar meat and venison dishes with herb sauces and regional mushrooms are at the top of the menus. Creations with guinea fowl and pheasant are also popular. In the Belgian Ardennes, veal kidneys with Liège-style juniper berries and pheasant with chicory make gourmets happy. The Ardennes ham and abbey cheese are real classics.

Weather and best time to travel for a camping holiday in the Ardennes

Basically, the climate in Belgium and France is similar to the weather in Germany. However, it is somewhat more characterised by rainfall. The best time to go camping in the Ardennes is between May and September.

In midsummer, the maximum temperatures are around 21 °C, on average it can be slightly cooler. Extensive hikes are therefore also possible during the high season without any problems. At night, the thermometer drops to around 12 °C and below - warm clothing should therefore be part of your camping equipment. In spring and autumn, you can expect temperatures of around 7-13 °C. There is comparatively little rain in April.