Thuin

Day Trips

You’ll arrive in Thuin and check into a charming guesthouse overlooking the Sambre River. Unpack your bags and take a gentle stroll along the riverbank to soak up the town’s tranquil atmosphere. Stop at a local café to taste a freshly baked Belgian pastry and coffee.

Head to the heart of the old market square and explore the medieval market halls with their ornate wooden beams. Climb the impressive Big Staircase for panoramic views of the red-tiled rooftops below. Pause for a light lunch at a riverside bistro offering local specialties.

As dusk falls, wander along the illuminated quayside and watch the lights shimmer on the water. Enjoy a riverside dinner featuring regional dishes like trout from the Sambre and artisan cheeses. Cap the night with a Belgian beer at a cozy pub frequented by locals.

Set off on a guided walking tour through Thuin’s winding cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses. Learn about the town’s medieval history from expert local guides. Pop into artisanal shops to sample handmade jams and nougat.

Visit the Church of Saint-Théodard to admire its stained-glass windows and baroque altar. Continue on to the Steam Railway Museum and delight in vintage locomotives. Wander through hidden courtyards to discover vibrant street art tucked away from the main avenues.

Dine in a family-run tavern renowned for its charcuterie boards and house‐made pates. As twilight deepens, climb to the citadel ramparts for a sweeping view of the valley at sunset. Return to town center to catch a folk music performance in a warm, lantern-lit square.

Ride the historic cable car up to the ridge for breathtaking panoramas of the Thuin valley. Feel the breeze and listen to the whisper of the river far below. Capture photos of the patchwork fields and forested hills.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at the hilltop park, surrounded by wildflowers in bloom. Set out on an easy nature trail that winds through woodland and meadows. Stop at Le Point du Jour viewpoint to rest and savor an ice-cold mineral water.

Glide back down the hill by cable car as the sun begins to set, painting the sky in warm hues. Dine at the hilltop restaurant specializing in regional charcuterie and cheese boards. Afterward, return to town for a nightcap under the stars.

Drive or cycle to the atmospheric ruins of Aulne Abbey nestled along the Sambre. Join a guided tour to learn about the abbey’s centuries-old monastic life and architecture. Wander the cloisters and imagine the chants echoing from the ancient chapel.

Stroll through the abbey gardens where medicinal herbs and flowers still flourish. Sketch the remains of the stone arches or simply sit by the riverbank to absorb the serene setting. Pop into the small on-site museum to view monastic artifacts and illuminated manuscripts.

Return to Thuin as evening descends, stopping for dinner at a charming riverside café. Savor local specialties like potée champenoise accompanied by a locally brewed ale. Conclude the evening with a peaceful walk along the water’s edge.

Head to the bustling weekly market in the market square, alive with stalls bursting with fresh produce and artisanal goods. Chat with farmers offering seasonal fruits, vegetables, and homemade preserves. Sample a warm waffle topped with local honey for a sweet start.

Join a small-group cooking class where you’ll transform market finds into a delicious lunch. Learn Belgian recipes passed down through generations, from mustard-glazed chicken to stoemp (mashed potatoes with vegetables). Enjoy your culinary creations with a glass of regional white wine.

As twilight falls, return to the square to find vendors replaced by live music and street performers. Order a plate of frites with house-made sauces at a nearby stand. End the night dancing to local folk tunes in an open-air venue under the stars.

Visit Le Silex cultural center housed in a modern glass building by the river. Explore exhibitions ranging from prehistoric fossils to contemporary art installations. Participate in an interactive archaeology workshop to uncover your own replica artifact.

Attend a chamber music recital in the intimate auditorium or catch a short film at the center’s screening room. Meet a local artist for a behind-the-scenes tour of the sculpture garden. Enjoy a light lunch in the riverside café overlooking the Sambre.

Stay for an evening performance—perhaps a dance piece or avant-garde theater—followed by a discussion with the troupe. Dine at the on-site bistro, sampling refined dishes paired with Belgian craft beers. Stroll home along the riverbank, the building’s glass walls softly glowing behind you.

Early risers will love setting off on the winding trails of the Bois d’Haine forest reserve. Listen to birdsong and discover hidden streams and moss-covered rocks. Follow trail markers to a wooden lookout with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.

Break for a packed picnic beneath a centuries-old oak, then continue exploring minor side paths. Spot deer grazing in a clearing and photograph clusters of wild mushrooms. Visit a small chapel nestled amid the trees, a quiet spot for reflection.

Return to Thuin in late afternoon and freshen up at your guesthouse. Savor a hearty dinner at a forest-themed restaurant serving game and mushroom dishes. End the evening by sharing stories around a crackling fireplace with fellow hikers.

Travel by train or car to nearby Chimay, famous for its Trappist brewery and cheese. Begin at the brewery museum to learn about century-old brewing traditions. Sample a tasting flight of the distinctive Chimay ales in the atmospheric taproom.

Visit Scourmont Abbey to meet the monks behind the famous beers and cheeses. Tour the cheese-making facilities and taste fresh rounds of Chimay cheese at various ages. Wander along the scenic riverbank paths outside the abbey grounds.

Return to Thuin and reserve a table at a restaurant offering a Chimay pairing menu. Enjoy dishes cooked in Chimay beer reduction and cheese fondue. Cap off the day with a nightcap tasting of the brewery’s specialty brews.

Join a master baker in a rustic kitchen to learn the art of Belgian breadmaking. Knead dough for pain de campagne and shape baguettes while inhaling the scent of yeast. Bake your loaves in a wood-fired oven and sample them warm from the crusty exterior.

Switch to chocolate crafting with a local chocolatier and create your own truffles and pralines. Experiment with flavor infusions like lavender, sea salt, and local fruit purees. Package your handmade chocolates as souvenirs or gifts for friends back home.

Share a communal dinner in the workshop space, featuring dishes that highlight your newly baked bread and chocolates. Exchange recipes and stories with fellow participants over glasses of sparkling cider. End the evening with a leisurely stroll through the softly lit streets of Thuin.

Enjoy a final leisurely breakfast at your favorite café, sipping a rich Belgian coffee and nibbling on a last waffle. Revisit the panoramic viewpoint you discovered on day one for one final look at the valley. Stop by a local boutique to purchase souvenirs and handmade crafts.

Have a relaxed farewell lunch at an outdoor terrace, sampling any regional specialties you may have missed. Chat with the friendly staff and promise to return soon. Retrace your steps through the market square to soak in the atmosphere before packing your bags.

Depart Thuin by train or car, reflecting on the highlights of your ten-day journey. Watch the town lights fade in your rearview mirror or through the train window. Plot your next visit as you savor one last Belgian beer or chocolate treat en route.