This weekend in Gaume and the Ardennes: our highlights for 28–29 May 2026
Irish folk music, horseback riding, medicinal plants and nocturnal bat walks: the Belgian Gaume and Ardennes regions offer a wonderfully varied late-May weekend. Here are our picks for curious travellers.
A weekend the Gaume does like no other
May is bowing out in style. Between Virton, Arlon and the Ardennes valleys, the next few days promise experiences as diverse as they are genuine. Here is our selection for making the most of this corner of Belgium.
Friday evening: Irish folk and a pint of Orval at the farmers' market
What better way to close a week than raising a glass of Orval to the sound of Irish ballads? This Friday 29 May, Max Goodwin performs solo at the farmers' market barbecue evening. The singer and guitarist from Max Malone brings Celtic warmth and Gaume conviviality together in one of those informal evenings you simply don't forget.
Into the wild: plants, beavers and bats
On Saturday morning, the Medicinal Walk in the Gaume invites you to rediscover the region's wild plants, from 11 a.m. to noon — in a small group of no more than 12, booking required. One hour to learn to read the landscape with fresh eyes.
Around Bouillon, two guided nature outings frame the day: a discovery walk through beaver territory during the day (wellies recommended, dogs at home, max 15 participants) and, after dark, a nocturnal bat walk. Two intimate experiences that remind you just how close the wild really is here.
On horseback along the waterways of Virton
For riders — or families hoping to give their children a first taste of the saddle — 29 May has some lovely surprises in store around Virton. The Equitrail water-themed ride sets off from La Bourriqueresse through the region's aquatic landscapes. Meanwhile, younger visitors can experience their first moments on horseback during the pony initiation session at Laclaireau, run by Le Cheval du Vent in a wonderfully peaceful setting.
This weekend captures everything that makes the Gaume so special: a region where nature, culture and warm hospitality meet at every turn. If you are still looking for the perfect base from which to enjoy it all, Gîtes de Gaume are right at the heart of it.
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