Ciney, Belgium
After the frenetic pace of summer, the arrival of autumn invites us to slow down. It's the perfect time to plan a romantic weekend getaway close to home. Just an hour from Brussels, southwest of Namur, we spent two days near Ciney in the Condroz-Famenne region.
A romantic getaway in Belgium to reconnect as a couple, disconnect, and discover rural landscapes where nature and heritage blend perfectly.
Ciney, capital of the Condroz, was our stopover for this autumnal romantic getaway in Belgium. We strolled through the streets of Ciney to discover its heritage, culture, parks, and local actors.
Visiting Ciney is primarily about discovering the must-sees that make up its heritage. We loved the charm of the Place Monseu and its kiosk, considered one of the most beautiful in Wallonia. A few meters away stands the Collegiate Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, listed as part of Wallonia's heritage.
To continue this journey through Cinacien heritage, we recommend the iLoveCiney walk. 4 km long, it covers all the cultural treasures such as Saint-Roch park and castle, the Capuchin church and the former Carmelite convent.
🥾 Distance: 4 kilometers
📍 Start Point: Place Monseu in Ciney
📁 Explanatory PDF file available on the website of the Ciney cultural center or directly at the Condroz-Famenne Tourist Office (Place Monseu 23 in Ciney)
To continue on the hiking theme and because we know there are many enthusiasts here, we present you another iconic route in the region: The Art Trail in Condroz-Famenne. It's a 155 km long-distance trail. Along the route, you can find 55 works of art and 6 murals. There are also campsites and artistic shelters along the route to complete the loop. A challenge in the form of a micro-adventure that we are very tempted by. Perhaps next spring?
We went to meet these street art works in Ciney city center. The murals add a modern touch to this rural town. We fell in love with the work called 'Positive Pattern' by the NSN 997 collective located right next to the Condroz-Famenne Tourist Office.
A 13 km route (loop 1), mostly urban, is possible starting from the Condroz-Famenne Tourist Office (Monseu Square in Ciney). This connects all the works of art in Ciney's center, including the 2 street art murals in the photos above.
🗺️ Practical information for loop 1 – Ciney here.
🎨 More information at www.sentiersdart.be
It's under the autumn rain that we discover Ciney's unique green space: the Saint-Roch park. Located outside the historical center, this classified 8-hectare park is pleasant to stroll through. Within its enclosure stands proudly a large limestone building: the Saint-Roch castle.
Every year, the Saint-Roch park transforms to host 'The Park Fairies'. One of the largest Christmas markets in Belgium, with more than 250 illuminated stalls to delight children and adults. It's an opportunity to spend a pleasant moment with family or friends, savoring the culinary specialties of a Christmas market or buying gifts for loved ones on the day.
📍 Address: Avenue du Sainfoin 2, 5590 Ciney
❄️ More info on www.lesfeeriesduparc.be
Discovering a region also means discovering its local gastronomy. This is what led us to open the door to Cocoricoop, a cooperative highlighting the products of local, peasant, and environmentally friendly agriculture. Fresh produce, drinks, breakfast, pastries, aperitifs, preserved sauces, ... A wide selection that allowed us to make a small selection of products to bring back and enjoy during an aperitif with friends.
📍 Address: Rue du Condroz 1, 5590 Ciney
🕐 Opening hours: Tuesday from 12 pm to 6 pm • Wednesday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm
🐓 Online shop: www.cocoricoop.be
Every trip is a good opportunity for us to put on our hiking boots and explore the surrounding nature. In the Condroz-Famenne region, there is a wide range of options with the 134 marked trails offered by the Condroz-Famenne Tourist Office.
We were advised by Vinciane, during our pottery workshop, and our choice fell on the 'Promenade du Bois d’Ossogne'. A 7 km loop trail that gives us a good overview of the region. This hike takes us through the fields, pastures, the woods and the village of Ossogne.
If, like us, you enjoy hiking, we have detailed this last one in the article below. You will find all the practical information, the itinerary, the GPX track and our pictures to illustrate it.
The Spiral is a must-see stop in the region for art and craft enthusiasts. It's also a great activity to do on a rainy day in the Namur region.
Bringing together more than 50 artisans from Wallonia and Brussels, the Centre des Métiers d'Art offers a rich exhibition of materials and skills. We explore the exhibition hall through the various artworks, ranging from sculpture to ceramics and jewellery.
The bonus is that on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, several artisans gather at La Spirale to share and demonstrate their art. An activity accessible to all, which we were fortunate to participate in during our stay in Condroz-Famenne. We thus discovered bookbinding with Isabelle Jadot, glassblowing with Anne-Catherine Kesmarki, and woodturning with Marc Petit. Very enriching encounters with artisans passionate about their art, and for which we are very grateful.
🕐 Opening times: available here on their website.
💰 Prices: €4 per adult • Free for under 16s.
📍 Address: Chaussée de Namur 22, 5360 Natoye (Hamois).
ℹ️ Further information: www.laspirale.be
It is at the Datcha de Vinc’ that we meet on Saturday morning to discover the world of ceramics. Vinciane opens the doors of her workshop with a big smile. We put on our apron and off we go for a ceramic initiation workshop that promises to be very enriching. From the first moments, Vinciane speaks passionately about the process of creating a ceramic object, but also about the different clays she uses, which come from a local supplier.
Once the basics have been explained, we begin shaping our ceramic mug. Vinciane shows us the steps to take, step by step, and we meticulously reproduce them on our own. With our hands in the clay, we completely disconnect and don't see time fly by at a monstrous speed. After an hour and a half of initiation, all that remains is to choose the color of the glaze that will enhance the clay during the 2nd firing of our ceramic mug.
It is with a slightly heavy heart that we leave Vinciane's workshop, but with the certainty of meeting again a few weeks later to collect our finished piece.
The Datcha de Vinc’ offers weekly ceramic courses, but also private courses to take as a couple, with family or friends (why not for a bachelorette party or an anniversary?). We guarantee you a quality moment and beautiful memories.
After a day filled with discoveries, we left our luggage for the night at Maison VCB. We were warmly welcomed by Guy, the owner of this beautiful manor house and chef of the '97 Rue Piervenne' restaurant.
Once our belongings were settled in our room, Guy showed us the rest of the property, passing through his garden where he sets up tables during the nice weather. We ended the evening with tea and a freshly baked chocolate moelleux, sharing stories and his love for high-quality local products.
After a very good night's sleep, a royal breakfast awaits us downstairs. We take our place in the restaurant's room, where each carefully chosen object by Guy adds a touch of authenticity to this beautiful place.
We can only recommend this address for an unforgettable romantic stay in Ciney
Thank you again Guy for your warm and delicious welcome, which made our stay unforgettable!
For an unforgettable romantic stay in Ciney, Maison VCB is the ideal address. Offering comfort like home and a warm welcome by a host passionate about his region, you will experience a unique stay in the heart of Condroz-Famenne.
📍 Address: Rue Piervenne 97, 5590 Ciney
💸 Night from 189 €
🥐 Royal breakfast included
ℹ️ Info and booking: www.maisonvcbciney.odoo.com/les-chambres
It's on this lovely note that we conclude this article on our romantic getaway to the Condroz-Famenne region. We hope this has given you the desire to discover this beautiful region of Belgium. On our side, we discovered a nature that blends perfectly with the heritage and warm, welcoming local actors, especially passionate about their job and their region.
This article was written in collaboration with the Condoz-Famenne Tourist Office. However, we remained entirely free regarding the content and structure of the article. Hoping this experience inspires you.
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