Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Durbuy, Belgium

In 1331, John of Bohemia, the Count of Luxembourg, extended city privileges to this modest settlement situated on a meander of the Ourthe River.

This notion seems humorous today, as Durbuy does not exceed the dimensions of an ordinary village.

In fact, it may very well be the smallest city globally.

One certainty is that Durbuy is exceptionally picturesque, nestled within a rocky valley and traversed by winding cobblestone streets lined with stone houses dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.

Following your exploration of the historic town, numerous attractions await around Durbuy, including castles, Neolithic monuments, and caves.

Let us delve into the esteemed activities available in Durbuy, Belgium:

1. Durbuy Vieille Ville

Durbuy is so compact that a pedestrian tour will not take long, though it is advisable to move leisurely and appreciate the ambiance along these charming cobblestone streets.

Almost every residence is constructed from local limestone rubble with slate roofs, and many exhibit exposed timber frameworks.

Rue Jean de Bohême, Rue Alphonse Éloy, Rue des Récolllets, Rue des Récollectines, and Rue de la Prévôté are all delightful discoveries.

At Place aux Foires and the Rocher à la Falize, one can observe how the town was originally enclosed by a now diminished meander of the Ourthe.

Do not be deterred by the tourist train departing from Parc Roi Baudouin, which navigates Durbuy’s streets.

This is the sole access to a viewpoint that arguably offers the finest panorama of both the town and the Ourthe Valley.

2. Rocher de la Falize

Arguably the most notable of numerous monuments within Durbuy is a natural formation.

At the highest point of the town lies a colossal limestone mass, approximately 300 million years old.

The Rocher de la Falize stands out, particularly for its arch-like fold (an anticline) within the layered limestone.

This curve is shaped by the weight of overlaying rock layers alongside the ongoing movements of the earth’s crust.

One of modern geology’s pioneers, Jean Baptiste Julien d’Omalius d’Halloy, detailed this formation in his influential work, Journal des Mines (1807). The Chemin Touristique promenade winds around the rock, where at the base of this arch is a small pond with a fountain, a remnant of the historic meander of the Ourthe.

3. Village de Wéris

Wéris, situated within the Durbuy municipality, can be reached with a ten-minute drive southeast of the city through gently rolling farms and forests.

Several incentives support a visit, but a primary reason is its recognition as one of Wallonia’s most enchanting villages (Les Plus Beaux Villages de Wallonie). The silhouette of Wéris is defined by the Romanesque Église Sainte-Walburge, which has graced the area for approximately 1,000 years, and will be further elaborated upon shortly.

Perched on a plateau amidst meadows and pastures, the village features a narrow network of lanes bordered by extremely attractive limestone and sandstone houses, many of which display timber framing.

4. Wéris Megaliths

Wéris also enjoys fame due to the numerous Neolithic monuments located just west of the village.

Carved from conglomerate, these structures extend along an approximate eight-kilometre length.

Dating back to around 5,000 BCE, the site comprises dolmens (chamber tombs) and menhirs (standing stones) presenting an unprecedented concentration seen nowhere else in Belgium.

Numerous menhirs are visible alongside the roads, particularly to the southwest of the village.

The two primary dolmens, identified as Wéris I and Wéris II, are situated to the northwest and southwest, respectively.

The former is notably larger but had been subjected to looting centuries ago.

An excavation of the latter unearthed fascinating artifacts, including the remains of four individuals, pottery fragments, and flint tools.

Additionally, charcoal and animal bones indicated that a ritual funerary meal likely occurred here.

5. Musée des Mégalithes de Wéris

In the village of Wéris, you can gain insight into the context surrounding the 5,000-year-old monuments scattered throughout the area.

Established in 1994, the museum elucidates the agricultural and animal husbandry transformations that occurred around 3000 BCE, contributing to the creation of these menhirs and dolmens.

The exhibits include dioramas showcasing a prehistoric settlement, a nomadic camp, and a megalith construction site.

A 12-minute film highlights this Neolithic heritage, complemented by brochures, maps, and literature to support further exploration.

6. Halle aux Blés

A highlight during your stroll around Durbuy is the half-timbered market hall, located amidst a visually appealing row of historic houses.

The Halle aux Blés (corn exchange) was referenced as early as 1380, acquiring its current appearance in the 1530s.

This structure serves as a magnificent testament to Durbuy’s economic prosperity during an era characterized by a burgeoning steel industry.

In 1976, the building was classified as “Exceptional Heritage of Wallonia.” Since the early 2000s, the Halle aux Blés has housed Durbuy’s Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Visitors are welcome to explore the exhibits and view a model illustrating the hall’s appearance during its bustling market days before losing its rear half in 1639.

7. Le Labyrinthe

Annually, from July to October, an 11-hectare cornfield located in nearby Barvaux-sur-Ourthe transforms into an expansive maze.

The inaugural season commenced in 1997, and since then Le Labyrinthe unveils a new theme each year.

The 2019 edition drew inspiration from the beloved novella, Le Petit Prince, while prior themes included Aladdin, Peter Pan, Tintin, and Tarzan.

Enhancing the experience, the maze features a cast of costumed actors.

Over the years, Le Labyrinthe has developed into a fully-fledged theme park, providing additional challenges in the dark through a network of doors.

Additionally, a smaller maze is available for children aged three to eight, alongside an educational maze dedicated to biodiversity.

8. Château des Comtes d’Ursel

One of the landmarks that contributes significantly to Durbuy’s urban landscape is the château situated on the right bank of the Ourthe.

The best views are obtained from the opposite bank beside the bridge, where a small terrace with a bench offers shade under a large lime tree.

The earliest written record of a castle on this rocky spur dates to the 11th century; however, it is believed a fortification existed here as early as the 9th century.

This estate has been inhabited by the Ursel Family since the 17th century, and the current 18th-century structure was erected atop the remnants of a medieval castle, later enhanced with a Renaissance Revival restoration by the Countess of Ursel in the 1880s.

While the Château des Comtes d’Ursel is not accessible to the public, its imposing towers and neatly arranged dormers continue to capture attention.

9. Topiary Park

Situated on the left bank of the Ourthe, with the towers of the Château des Comtes d’Ursel in the background, an expansive garden spans 10,000 square meters, featuring over 250 creatively designed topiaries.

Most of these living sculptures are constructed from boxwood, with additional varieties including holly and yew.

Reimagined each season, these topiaries are expertly pruned into whimsical shapes, cartoonish figures, animals, and objects.

The garden’s pathways are bordered by neatly trimmed boxwood hedges, and in summer, nearly 40 vibrant flowerbeds bloom.

The Topiary Park also includes Herba Sana, a garden dedicated to medicinal plants, all meticulously labelled for visitor education.

10. Les Escaliers des Béguines

Across Durbuy, one can observe numerous references to the Recollectine nuns, who played a significant role in local community development during the 17th and 18th centuries.

They established a pharmacy, constructed a bridge, founded a school, and created a beguinage for a community of lay religious women (beguines). They are also credited with carving out the stairway from the anticline, named in honor of the beguines.

Although the ascent is steep, it comprises 172 steps leading to a breathtaking view from the highest point of the town.

11. Église Sainte-Walburge

Returning to Wéris, the church predominantly exhibits Romanesque features and has been a fixture since the 1000s.

The oldest stonework can be observed on the square tower, which once served as a defensive structure for the village, featuring arrow loops for protection.

Characteristic of Romanesque architecture is the semicircular apse, with walls adorned with round-arched windows.

Gothic alterations were introduced in the 16th century, leading to the incorporation of a chapel adjacent to the choir and the tabernacle.

The walls are decorated with several commemorative stones and intricately carved crosses, along with a wooden depiction of Saint Walpurga dating back to the 1500s.

12. Église Saint-Nicolas

The convent church established for the Recollect order in Durbuy has since evolved into the current Église Saint-Nicolas, the construction of which commenced in 1630 and was consecrated in 1643. This church adjoins the old convent buildings, and once the Recollects were dissolved in 1797, it transitioned into a parish church.

For a town of Durbuy’s limited size, the Église Saint-Nicolas is notably expansive, measuring nearly 40 metres in length.

Prominent interior features include the pulpit, adorned with intricately detailed carvings, and the baptismal font, both originating from the 17th century.

13. Adventure Valley Durbuy

The smallest city in Belgium serves as the backdrop for the largest outdoor adventure park in the country, which is situated on a former quarry site.

The range of activities available at Adventure Valley is extensive, including treetop high ropes courses, via ferrata climbing routes, ziplines, mountain biking, laser tag, caving, and an array of playgrounds for children.

Adventure Valley also offers options for overnight stays, including glamping and accommodation in bungalows, holiday homes, chalets, and villas.

Access for visitors is free, with opportunities to pay for individual activities or purchase color-coded wristbands for unlimited use of certain amenities.

14. Caves of Hotton

Situated roughly 15 minutes south of Durbuy, an impressive array of caves awaits exploration.

Carved by an underground river, the Caves of Hotton comprise more than eight kilometres of chambers descending to a maximum depth of 65 metres.

The descent into this subterranean realm is via a stairway and elevator, leading into a maze of galleries adorned with unusual concretions in various colors.

Visitors can peer into a 30-metre abyss and listen to the echo of the underground river.

One of the most exhilarating experiences can be found at the vast Galerie du Spéléo Club de Belgique, the largest underground chamber in Belgium, measuring an impressive 200 metres in length, 35 metres in width, and 10 metres in depth.

This ancient quarry system remained hidden until 1958 and maintains a consistent year-round temperature of 12°C.

15. Château de Logne

Perched on a rocky outcrop where the Lembrée stream meets the Ourthe, the enigmatic ruins of a medieval castle can be found.

This stronghold dates back to the early 1100s, though historical records indicate the site had fortifications as early as the 9th century.

The castle currently visible was commissioned by Father Wibald of the Princely Abbey of Stavelot-Malmedy, aimed at defending its western border.

A village was established below to supply provisions to the garrison stationed at the castle.

In the late 15th century, the Château de Logne received a new defensive enclosure; however, its demise occurred shortly thereafter in 1521 when Duke Robert II de la Marck sided with Francis I of France against Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, during the Italian Wars.

As a result, the castle sustained bombardment from 21 heavy cannons, and the survivors of the onslaught faced either execution or took their own lives.

From 1990 to 2003, the castle’s 56-metre well was excavated, yielding not only centuries of domestic refuse but also weaponry and artillery munitions.

These artifacts are now displayed at the Musée du Château Fort de Logne located at the Bouverie farm, approximately 1km from the village of Vieuxville.