Bouillon Castle

Bouillon, Ardennes · Belgium · Tier C

Bouillon Castle, a C-tier castle in Belgium

Bouillon Castle perches on a rocky spur almost entirely encircled by a dramatic bend of the Semois River in the Belgian province of Luxembourg. Its origins reach the early Middle Ages, with major construction between 1050 and 1067. The fortress is inseparably linked to Godfrey of Bouillon, who in 1096 pledged it to the Bishop of Liège to fund his leadership of the First Crusade.

The military engineer Vauban later adapted its defenses for heavy artillery under Louis XIV. The complex is divided into three interconnected sections connected by bridges and retains underground passages carved from the 11th-century fabric. It is recognized as part of Wallonia's Major Heritage and is open to visitors.

Official site · Wikipedia

Visitor information

Location
Bouillon, Ardennes
Country
Belgium
Tier
C (Worth a visit if you're already in the area)
Coordinates
49.7929, 5.0657
Official site
https://chateaufortdebouillon.ellohaweb.com/

Frequently asked questions

Where is Bouillon Castle?
Bouillon Castle is in Bouillon, Ardennes, Belgium (approximately 49.7929, 5.0657).
Can you visit Bouillon Castle?
Yes — Bouillon Castle is open to visitors; see the official site at https://chateaufortdebouillon.ellohaweb.com/ for hours and tickets.
What tier is Bouillon Castle on the Castle Atlas?
Bouillon Castle is rated C tier on the Castle Atlas — Worth a visit if you're already in the area.
What can you see at Bouillon Castle?
Bouillon Castle perches on a rocky spur almost entirely encircled by a dramatic bend of the Semois River in the Belgian province of Luxembourg. Its origins reach the early Middle Ages, with major construction between 1050 and 1067. The fortress is inseparably linked to Godfrey of Bouillon, who in 1096 pledged it to the Bishop of Liège to fund his leadership of the First Crusade.

All castles in Belgium · Explore the full Castle Atlas →

The Castle Atlas
100Castles
28Countries
Methodology

A castle here means anything Wikipedia lists as a castle — which often includes fortresses, palaces, monasteries, and châteaux. The list also includes historicist creations like Neuschwanstein, but only when their main construction was completed before the 20th century.

All castles are sorted into tiers based on nothing but the author’s vibe and whim. Feel free to rearrange them however you personally see fit. Ultimately, the criteria were not historical significance or defensive capability, but how exciting a visit there would likely be.