Les Nids des Marais offer 5 nature-based accommodations in Ciney, near Namur, in Wallonia, Belgium. The nests are spread among reeds in the middle of an old pond used to power a mill wheel. The setting is fantastic! From the ballet of the dragonflies to the waddle of the ducks and the twinkling of the stars, this is the place to be hors du temps.

Mention Let's Go My Love when booking on our partner's official website, and you'll receive a bottle of Premier Cru Champagne (37.5cl) on arrival. Look at this picture to see where to mention us. You can also mention that you're coming from us by e-mail or telephone - no problem!

Foulques and Héloïse are the charming owners of Nids des Marais. Originally from Brussels and Ciney respectively, they have 3 children and do their utmost to make your stay a complete success. They speak French, Dutch and English. We had the pleasure of meeting them and chatting over a cup of coffee... We never lost track of time! A real pleasure.

For your information, Foulques is a trained photographer and can organize a couple's photo shoot during your stay. This is an option to add when you book your stay.

The change of scenery is immediate. At the end of a bucolic country road, you'll find a small parking lot on your left and a stone house. This is the reception area, open all night. Go inside to pick up your basket with arrival instructions, a bottle of water and a bottle of champagne if you mentioned Let's Go My Love during booking.

The reception area also houses a fridge with numerous bottles, beers, apple juice, lemonade, chips and a few snacks. Simply pay via QR code and you're all set. Boots and umbrellas are available if it rains. There are free marshmallows with trident forks.

Look up at the wall. There's a frame with a quote. It's the Nids des Marais manifesto: "Stop for a moment, let time slow down, take the time to get back to basics, disconnect, dare to change your habits, live to the rhythm of the nature around you, live here and now, take the time to dream and soak up everything around you." It's a bit of a cliché, but the location lends itself so well to it.

On this subject, we asked Foulques which song he thought best summed up the experience at Nids des Marais. We'll let you listen to it on Youtube. The first lyrics appear after 45 seconds.

Once outside, you'll find yourself facing the home of Foulques and Héloïse, who live on site and can be contacted via Whatsapp throughout your stay. You'll now be able to make your own way to your accommodation. There are 5 accommodations on the estate. Each is named after a reed bird.

Here are the 5 homes:

1 - La Mésange - Dome on stilts amid the reeds - Photo - From 190€/night - 🐦‍⬛
2 - Le Martin Pêcheur - Glass kiosk by a stream - Photo - From 199€/night - 🐟
3 - La Sarcelle - Transparent sphere with private beach - Photo - From 199€/night - 🪩
4 - La Bécassine - Glass kiosk with cottage atmosphere - Photo - From 199€/night - 🏡
5 - Le Milan Royal - Glass kiosk with private pontoon - Photo - From 199€/night - 🦅

The apartments are widely spaced and offer total privacy. That's something we really appreciate here. Nobody can see you. La Mésange is the accommodation closest to the reception and therefore the least intimate, but some people actually prefer this proximity to the reception and owners. The most remote and isolated is Le Milan Royal, which is also one of our favorites.

All accommodations feature the following amenities: waterside pitch, private terrace, high-quality heated bed, dry toilet, rinse area and electric heating if required.

Note: there is no running water in the units to avoid the impact of such work on the marsh. However, each unit has a water supply in the sanitary area (changed daily) and a drinking water fountain at the entrance, except for the Kingfisher.

When you book, you can choose from 4 packages: the overnight stay only (from 190€), the discovery pack with breakfast (from 225€), the gourmet pack with breakfast, cheese and charcuterie platter, local aperitif platter, 1 white beer and 1 amber beer (from 295€) and the romantic pack with all of the above + bouquet of flowers, petals on the bed and your choice of red or alternative wine (from 355€).

Les Nids des Marais are located in Ciney, in the Walloon region of Belgium. There are many walks in the vicinity, not least the Sentiers d'Art: a signposted long-distance circuit winding over 140 km through the communes of Ciney, Gesves, Hamois, Havelange, Ohey and Somme-Leuze. The circuit is punctuated by almost 50 works of art in nature.

If you're looking for an Asian restaurant in the area, we like Top Sushi in the center of Ciney. You can pick up your sushi or eat in. The manager is very friendly and the products are very fresh. Try the Japanese lemonade, it's very good. Foulques and Héloïse also recommend Au Gré des Saisons in Achet and 97 Rue Piervenne in Ciney.