Le Château de Wallerand is an intimate 4* hotel-spa located in Vireux-Wallerand, France, just 5 minutes from the Belgian border. And that's why we've added it to our Belgian collection anyway. The chateau, which has stood on the banks of the Meuse for 3 centuries, houses 10 elegant rooms, a gourmet restaurant, a private wellness area, a garden with terrace and an orangery.

We advise you to book your stay at Château de Wallerand via Booking.com, which often offers free cancellation. Send us a postcard if you go, it would give us great pleasure.

We had the opportunity to stay here for 2 nights and the experience turned out to be far beyond our expectations. What we liked best: the value for money, the luxury that's present but never flashy, the high quality of the breakfast (the granola, my god!), the intimate feel of the château, the softness of the bed linen, the waterfront location and the attentive staff. We had room n°9 with a view over the Meuse.

This classical Mosan-style building dates back to 1714 and was originally the residence of Lord Etienne Gillot d'Hon. In the mid-19th century, the château was purchased by Baron Sibuet, general councillor of the Givet canton to Napoleon III. After a rich history, it finally became a 4-star hotel in 2020, with the addition of a wellness area in 2022.

On site, the welcome at reception is both professional and warm, which is rare enough to be worth mentioning. The team speaks French, English and a little Dutch. A large part of the château is accessible to people with reduced mobility. The château has also been awarded the Clé Verte label for its commitment to the environment.

There are 10 elegantly decorated rooms. They were designed by architect Francesca Albani with the idea of reconciling the treasures of the past with contemporary elegance. Each room is unique, with its own universe and its own name.

Depending on the room you choose, you'll enjoy the following amenities: king-size bed, incredibly soft bed linen, Smart TV, desk, generously-stocked mini-bar, coffee machine with capsules provided, tea-making facilities, white marble bathroom with shower and/or bathtub, Dyptique welcome products and wifi.

During your stay, we offer 2 hours' access to the spa. The spa is located in another building, 1 minute from the château. It's small but really pleasant and very modern. It features a small swimming pool, sauna, hammam, lounge area and 2 massage cabins. The maximum capacity is 4 people at a time, but you can privatize it for a supplement. Check out this post on Instagram to see some photos.

We had the opportunity to book a massage in one of the 2 cabins on the 1st floor. Adèle took care of us. Very good massage and very gentle! Lie back and prepare to find yourself in another world...

In the evening, we strongly recommend dining in the 34-cover gourmet restaurant run by local chef Julien Castoldi. He has worked in a number of prestigious hotels, including La Villa in Corsica. The cuisine is fine and tasty, using local produce and vegetables and herbs from the estate's organic garden. Beautiful contemporary setting. We loved it all.

After a good night's sleep, get ready for another surprise: à la carte breakfast. This is optional and costs €50 for 2 people. This is one of the best breakfasts on Let's Go My Love. Everything is incredibly good and well presented.

On the menu: eggs (boiled, scrambled, fried, poached or as an omelette), cured ham, cooked ham, bacon, smoked salmon, avocado, fromage frais with granola, cheese platters, delicious cocoa spread, honey, agave syrup, seasonal jams from Maison Nostra in Fumay, fresh bread, pastries, orange juice, apple juice, tea, coffee and cappuccino on request.

The hotel is ideally located in Vireux-Wallerand, among the trees, on the banks of the Meuse, 5 minutes from the Belgian border. Free private parking is available. One activity we recommend: taking to the open sea aboard the electric boat provided by the hotel! It's the best way to discover the riches of the region. You can also take a gourmet picnic prepared by our chef.

Other nearby attractions include the medieval town of Hierges, just a 5-minute drive away, Dînant, Reims and the Grotte de Nichet, where you can admire stalactites and stalagmites in a dozen rooms with mysterious names: the Salle du Squelette, the Salle du Clair de lune and the Salle des Amoureux.