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Escape into the historic countryside of rural France and Belgium this September, as the ever popular Jaguar Ardennes Driving Tour returns to this mountainous region of Belgium.
About the Jaguar Ardennes Driving Tour
The Jaguar Ardennes Driving Tour is a four-day experience and takes in quiet historic villages, ancient castles and crystalline rivers.
The tour offers the chance to explore nearby Dinant and its Citadel that dominates the skyline, and to experience the Leffe beer museum. If that wasn’t enough, the route passes through the village of Brûly-de-Pesche, well-known for its World War II history.
Another pitstop is Chimay, famous for its beer, and Durbuy, which claims to be the world’s smallest city.
Included in the package is a return Eurotunnel crossing, four nights accommodation at the Castel de Point-a-Lesse Hotel (including breakfast and evening meals) entry to the Mahymobiles car collection. The tour will also be led by experts on both the local area and Jaguar cars.
Castel de Point-a-Lesse Hotel
The tour will be based at the four-star Castel de Point-a-Lesse Hotel, just outside the historic town of Dinant. It features modern comfortable rooms, a well-reviewed bar and bistro, as well as fine dining in the restaurant. Fancy a swim before dinner? Explore the impressive range of facilities, including an indoor swimming pool.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Sunday 10 Sept
Check-in at 09:00 for the 09:50 Eurotunnel crossing to Calais. From Calais the tour will make its way east through Lille in France to Tournai in Belgium. The Mahymobiles car museum in Leuze-en-Hainaut will be an optional pitstop. Here, more than 300 cars and motorcycles have been collected by a single family since WWII. Back on the road, we head south towards the Belgian Ardennes, arriving at the Hotel Castel de Pont-a-Lesse, near Dinant. A well-earned evening meal awaits.
Day 2 – Monday 11 Sept
After a tiring first day, Monday will take a slower pace and offer guests the chance to explore the local area. After a leisurely breakfast, there will be a period of free time to relax in the hotel and take advantage of the wellness facilities. Some guests may wish to wander into the local town of Dinant. The town is famous for its Citadel that dominates the skyline as well as the cable-car that can take you to its summit. Another option, would be to check out the former convent on the river that is now the Leffe beer museum.
Day 3 – Tuesday 12 Sept
We’re back on the road today, and exploring the Ardennes countryside is on the agenda. The tour will pass through a site of historical significance in the 1940 battle for France. A museum and memorial commemorates the effect the war had on this sleepy rural community. Just a short distance away is the town of Chimay. Serving as an ideal stop for lunch, there is also a museum, shop and abbey, all of which will definitely warrant a wander round. The town also gives its name to Wallonia’s most famous beer. The abbey itself boasts vibrantly beautiful hidden gardens – see if you can find them!
Day 4 – Wednesday 13 Sept
Wednesday will see a visit to the quaint little town of Durbuy, which claims to be the smallest city in the world. The ancient city walls surround the network of old cobbled streets, which hide bistros and bars offering some much needed caffeine. The oldest road, Rue Daufesne de la Chevalerie, is entirely paved with pebbles taken from the meandering river Ourthe that passes through the city. A castle sits high above Durbuy on a rocky outcrop, keeping vigil over the town as it has done for centuries.
Day 5 – Thursday 14 Sept
Following one last hearty breakfast at the hotel, it’s finally home time. We wave goodbye to the stunning Ardennes for another year and sit back to chat about the adventures of the last few days on the drive home. You can choose which Eurotunnel crossing you take back to the UK.
A small number of spaces are still available for the 2023 edition of the Jaguar Ardennes Driving Tour – book now!