Chateau Meuse is accessed along a 3 km private road in the renowned Champagne region of France. Beautifully secluded in the 2000 hectare Ardennes Forest, on the banks of the river Meuse.
Chateau Meuse is accessed along a 3 km private road in the renowned Champagne region of France. Beautifully secluded in the 2000 hectare Ardennes Forest, on the banks of the river Meuse, the chateau dates back to the 1600s, and is peacefully located in a vast valley. Chateau Meuse was built by Oranje-Nassau, using rocks from the mountain next to the chateau.
The estate comprises of a main chateau and five gites, offering accommodation for up to 60 people. Facilities available on the estate include a tennis court, badminton court, table tennis, fishing and petanque. Please note that you should bring your own equipment.
The area around the chateau is a paradise for hikers and mountain bikers, and mountain bikes are available for hire. Guests are welcome to bring their own horse, as the estate and forest are excellent for riding.
In addition to the chateau's own beautiful dining room, which includes an open fireplace, the estate benefits from a large reception barn that is furnished as a restaurant and available for hire. Guests have exclusive use of Chateau Meuse and its grounds, and the gites and chateau will not be rented separately, so you can be assured that you will be the only group on site for the duration of your stay.
Chateau Meuse was renovated and rebuilt in the 18th century by the King of Belgium, Leopold II, who acquired the property for his mistress. The King planted exotic trees from the Belgian colony of the Congo in the chateau gardens, including palm trees, which can still be seen on the estate. The oldest tree is now more than 300 years old. Today, the chateau estate benefits from a superb collection of rare plants and trees. The oldest building on the estate is the tannery, also built from stone from the mountain next to the chateau.
Main Chateau Interior (400m2, 20 guests)
Ground Floor
First Floor
Second Floor
Outside Grounds
Facilities
Please note that you should bring your own equipment for outdoor games
The Gites (up to 40 guests)
The small farmhouses, dotted across the estate, are ideal for larger groups or those seeking more privacy. There are five separate cottages/gites in total to accommodate up to 40 guests.
Please note that whilst each cottage has complimentary Wi-Fi, only three devices at a time can be connected.
Interior of Cottage 1 (10-14 guests)
Ground Floor
First Floor
Second Floor
Outside Grounds
Facilities
Ground Floor
First Floor
Second Floor
Outside Grounds
Facilities
Interior of Cottage 3 (6 guests, in annexe north of castle)
Ground Floor
First Floor
Second Floor
Outside Grounds
Facilities
Interior of Cottage 4 (4-5 guests, in annexe north of castle)
Ground Floor
First Floor
Second Floor
Outside Grounds
Facilities
Interior of Cottage 5 (2 guests, also suitable for a couple with baby)
Ground Floor
First Floor
Outside Grounds
Facilities
NB – only cottage in the building so good privacy
The Ardennes region is beautifully diverse, and a paradise for hikers, mountain bikers and riders, with woodlands, vast lakes, winding rivers and a variety of terrains. The river valleys consist of canyons reaching up to impressive green mountainous peaks. Towns close to the chateau include Namur, set around a 19th century Citadel and benefiting from excellent restaurants and great bars, Dinant, Rochefort, St Hubert, Bouillon, which is renowned for fantastic canoeing along the River Lesse, and Vireux, a super choice for restaurants, street markets and shopping.
If you're a fishing fan, the Meuse is a fantastic river which holds some huge fish of all sorts of species. It is easily accessible along almost its entire length, all that is required is a French fishing license (Carte de Peche). There are plenty of backwaters and numerous creeks that are ideal for whitebait or carp. You can also discover the Meuse valley on the water, enjoying a boat tour!
For those who prefer more fast-paced activities, why not try paragliding! This is a very unique way to take in the beautiful countryside that Champagne has to offer and there are many sites nearby.
There are so many places to explore around the region: the Chateau and Abbee at Chimay, the Han caves, canoeing along the River Lesse and hiking in the woodlands. This makes Chateau Meuse a fantastic base from which to discover the region of Champagne.