Seven favorites for a winter getaway in French-speaking Durbuy
About an hour's drive from Maastricht lies the medieval Durbuy in Belgium. Situated on the banks of the Ourthe, surrounded by the green of the Ardennes. Durbuy is the town (with emphasis on 'you', because it is one of the smallest towns in the world) where you feel like you've just fallen into French butter. Because oh, how French it is here. And fun. A maze of historic streets, very cozy cafes and Yes Yes: formidable restaurants. From the Belgian city of Liège you can easily wind your way along the back roads to Durbuy. Once you arrive, you stay there. At least, we would. For a loooong weekend of winter getaway.
What to do and where to sleep in this pearl in green (or white), we hear you think. Here it comes, seven favorites for a winter getaway in French-speaking Durbuy. You're welcome.
No winter getaway without a Christmas market – also nice after Christmas! – or a Christmas March. In Durbuy, let yourself be enchanted by the romantic, fairytale atmosphere and taste the local specialty: potato with foie gras. While enjoying a glass of gin hot, for example. As a dessert, a Liège waffle is of course never a bad idea. The city is immersed in Christmas atmosphere and oh how nice that is.
When you think of Belgium, you think of special beers. A win-win, excellent combination. Also around Durbuy. If you drive a few kilometers, a new brewery pops up. So does microbrewery Marckloff. Here you will find an amber-colored special beer, which you can taste in the vaulted cellars of La Brasserie du Chateau de Durbuy. In the heart of the city center.
Durbuy is known as a culinary spot for a reason, with many local specialties. Want to learn more about this and – gosh – taste it too? Then take part in the city tour. For a few euros you will get two hours of explanation about the town and you can taste something at various delicatessens. A nice concept, so gogogo.
Do you feel like really being pampered? Then join one of the restaurants of star chef Wout Bru, such as La Bru'sserie. Choose a four or six course menu and let your taste buds do the talking, because oh boy what is the food here good. You are taken on a culinary journey from Provence to South America and taste a dish from every continent. With matching wines, of course.
Near Durbuy you will find the cave complex of Hotton. Or the caves of a thousand and one nights. And tell me, how magical does that sound? In the dark you get lost – okay, not really of course – a total of six kilometers and you whirl through the underground world. Also fun for the kids.
Your own place in this oh so beautiful B&B farm. Dating from the 17th century, but transformed into a place with luxurious suites. On the ecological farm you can find animals, an orchard and – if you want – you can learn all about it. What else do you get at Petit-Bomal? A more than beautiful interior, wellness facilities and freshly baked bread for breakfast. Extra plus points for the friendly owners. A winning combination can be found here, a place where everything is just right. Down to the last detail.
No brainer. Not located in Durbuy, but a few kilometers away and yet not to be missed in this list. We wrote about it before, but deserves its place in the question of where to sleep. Now in the winter period - when you can't here glamping as in the summer – you stay in the castle. Insanely beautiful rooms and almost all with their own bath. On legs. Where you dive in, surrounded by crackling fires, with a red wine after a walk on the estate. Chateau de la Chapelle is a pearl of peace, the feeling of being awayawayaway in your own mini paradise.
