A long day in the south, May 2025
Diane and Pauline's day in the south, May 2025
Diane and Pauline spent a long May day with me in the south of Belgium: a walk along the Lesse, lunch above the gardens of Freÿr, Dinant, Maison Leffe and Chimay.
A week ago, on Thursday 15 May, Diane and Pauline spent a long day with me in the south of Belgium. They had booked it directly with me, on WhatsApp. I picked them up at their hotel at eight in the morning, and we were back in the evening.
A walk along the Lesse
We started on the Lesse, below Château de Walzin. We walked by the footbridge and along the river, with the castle high on its cliff. On the path by the water I laid out a pink cloth with a snack.
By the river, the two of them threw their arms in the air for a photo, with Walzin behind them.
Lunch on the stone table above Freÿr
Early in the afternoon we drove to the cliff above Château de Freÿr. Up there, at the viewpoint, there is a round stone table. I set it with the same pink cloth, glasses and lunch, and we ate looking out over the valley.
After lunch we walked to the railing. From there the French gardens of Freÿr lie open below you, with the château and the Meuse along the edge. It is the photo almost every guest takes home, and it is the one at the top of this page.
Dinant and Maison Leffe
In the afternoon we went into Dinant. The town is the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, who invented the saxophone, and the bridge over the Meuse is named after Charles de Gaulle. Above it all stand the citadel and the collegiate church of Notre-Dame.
Then came Maison Leffe, the visitor centre of the Leffe beer brand, with a tasting. Leffe is an abbey beer, not a Trappist, which makes it a good warm-up for the end of the day.
Chimay, and dinner
We finished at Chimay, near the French border. The monks of Scourmont Abbey brew it, and it is one of the five Belgian Trappist beers. After a tasting, we had dinner in Chimay before the drive back.
A day that bent to both of them
With two guests, a good day has room for both. Pauline wrote afterwards that what stood out most was how I adapted the day to everyone’s needs, so each of them felt included. That is the point of a private day: it bends to the people in it.
In Pauline’s words
Pauline posted this review on TripAdvisor the day after.
I had an amazing time on the tour, thanks to Joris, an incredible guide! He was thoughtful, energetic, and always cheerful, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. What stood out most was his ability to adapt the tour to suit everyone’s needs and preferences, ensuring that each person felt included and engaged. His enthusiasm was contagious, and his knowledge made the journey both fun and informative. Highly recommend this tour, Joris truly goes above and beyond!
Pauline, on TripAdvisor, May 2025
What stood out most was his ability to adapt the tour to suit everyone’s needs and preferences, ensuring that each person felt included and engaged.
Pauline, on TripAdvisor
A day like this
This day suits people who want to see a lot in one day and do not mind a long one: from eight in the morning into the evening. It suits you less if you want a short, slow day. Then we drop a stop or two and stay longer where you like it.
What would a day like this cost today? Read what a private day in Belgium costs, and what is in it.
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A long day like this one
This is one of the private days we run, with pickup at your door in Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, Bruges or anywhere else in Belgium. Lunch and drinks throughout, one party per day. Tell us your dates and we build the day around you. Days run year-round on request, and you get a personal reply within 24 hours.
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