Photo: Wooden eco-lodges at Le Hameau De La Semois overlook the scenic Semois River in Belgium’s Ardennes, promoting sustainable and accessible tourism.

Flying the flag for sustainability…. and social tourism

Le Hameau De La Semois, a new eco-village in Belgium’s Ardennes, combines sustainable tourism, affordable holidays, local partnerships, and outdoor experiences, creating an environmentally conscious and socially inclusive destination.

It’s the new kid on the blocks …. Belgium’s newest vacation getaway.

But this one ticks boxes that many others somehow fail to hit.

La Hameau de la Semois, a brand new eco-village in the Ardennes, scores on two fronts : it is especially environmental-friendly and also flies the flag for social tourism.

Sustainability

This place is eco-friendly in every sense, hence the “eco-village” description in its title.

You do not have to look far for examples. It comprises 100 all-wood lodges and the material used in their construction was sourced locally, from the lush forests of the Belgian Ardennes.

Eco-designed, the lodges on the domain are also fully and easily demountable (should the need ever arise) and embrace sustainable, environmentally conscious architecture.

But the theme extends well beyond the actual accommodation. For instance, you won’t find any potentially environmental harmful air conditioning here.

On-site lighting is kept to an absolute minimum in the evenings so as to help preserve the quite beautiful natural surroundings. Products used across the park are eco-friendly as well, including the free range poultry in the kitchen. The Malines Coucou breed is reared free-range and fed a diet of mainly plant-based seeds.

The flowers displayed here are not picked locally – that is not allowed – but sourced from a local florist up the road.

The site’s nod to all things eco-friendly was clearly acknowledged by Marie-Julie Nemery, who is the mayor of nearby Bouillon who, speaking at the official launch celebration (6 June) said that of the various tenders the municipality had received for the new site the one that impressed most, from a sustainability perspective, was from Floreal Holidays.

• Le Hameau De La Semois is a newly opened eco-village in the Belgian Ardennes.
• Features 100 locally sourced wooden lodges.
• Designed with sustainability and environmental responsibility at its core.
• No air conditioning and minimal lighting to reduce environmental impact.
• Supports local businesses, producers, and suppliers.
• Operated by Floreal Holidays, a pioneer in social tourism.
• Aims to make holidays affordable and accessible for all.
• Located near the historic town and castle of Bouillon.
• Offers camping, motorhome pitches, and premium VIP lodges.
• Brasserie Halliru showcases local food and beverages.
• Popular activities include hiking, kayaking, and nature walks.
• Just under two hours from Brussels by car.
• Promotes a “slow life” philosophy focused on relaxation and nature.

Social tourism

Le Hameau de la Semois is Floreal Holidays newest destination.

But this is not just another holiday company opening yet another holiday village.

The very basis of this company’s business model is to foster what might be called social tourism that is accessible to all.

Speaking at the same ceremony, the Group’s president, Werner Van Heetvelde, produced a statistic that many in Belgium may find hard to digest.

It is estimated, he said, that as much as 20 per cent of the population here cannot afford even a one week holiday.

It seems some things never change.

The company was set up by a Belgian trade union, as far back as the 1920s, to help tackle such a social injustice.

The idea, then and still today, is to offer affordable stays through hotels, holiday domains and campsites located on the Belgian North Sea coast and in the Belgian Ardennes.

Fast forward to 2026 and Van Heetvelde says the issue is still as pertinent now as it ever was.

“The aim,” he told this site, “is to help our members and others to have a decent break in the year.”

He accepts it is something of an “indictment” that such a situation still exists and in a country as relatively rich as Belgium but says that fact alone underlines the “vital importance” of what the Group tries to do.

New addition to the family fold

The new site differs from lots of others in the sheer range of facilities it can offer. The lodges themselves are for 2,4,5 or 6 people. The smallest, for 2 people, are like a hotel room while there are also 5 “VIP” lodges with sun loungers on the terrace, bathrobes and a welcome set.

There’s also specious pitches for motorhomes and a dedicated meadow, alongside the very lovely river Semois, for tents with electricity and water connections.

One notable feature here is Brasserie Halliru whose culinary consultant Tristan Martin trained in several top establishments in Belgium and France.

The restaurant’s friendly manager Francois Louis told this site, “It is all still very new, including the team, but we have a very good product here to offer.”

He notes, in particular, the way the restaurant (as with other elements of the park) tries to help promote both local producers and their products.

For example, the impress bar stocks Arduenna, a local organic gin (brewed 20km away), along with Ardennes Spritz, a local, artisanal take on the Italian classic, with notes of orange, fine bubbles and a gentle bitterness. It makes for a perfect aperitif to enjoy on the resto’s spacious terrace, overlooking the Semois this summer. If Belgian beer is your thing then look out also for another great local drink, Rochehaut, brewed less than 10km away.

The resto serves classic Belgo-French food,including burgers, boulettes and pasta, and is open 7/7 during the holiday season (June to September). Tapas is served all day and it is open to non guests as well as those staying at the park.

Things to do

If you like the Great Outdoors this place will be right up your street.

You do not have to be super fit to enjoy the benefits of the wonderful local surroundings.

For example, a short 1.5km walk along the Semois from your lodge will take you to Bouillon ( be sure to take the river walk, not along the winding road which may not be safe for walkers).

You immediately see the town’s incredible castle, described as one of the world’s most beautiful and one of the biggest in Belgium. Perched on three rocky peaks for over 1,000 years, the fortress watches over the town of Bouillon and the Semois river below.

Bouillon and its castle are already mentioned in writings long before the year 1000. Its total length is some 340mIts highest point stands at 75 meters above the Semois.It has a permanent population of just 2,000 but is one of the most visited places in the country and the castle alone attracts about 135,000 visitors each year.

Every Sunday morning there is a market in the town, which is well worth a visit at any time of the year.

Other highly popular local activities include kayaking on the Semois and hiking (information on the various hikes nearby are available from reception).

Future plans,possibly, include an animation programme, including guided walks, not just for kids but adults too.

The site, worth a visit on its own for its terrific views, is just a few kms from the French border and, while an estimated three quarters of its visitors are from Flanders or the Netherlands, the park attracts people from all over Europe… testimony to its success since opening. The motto here is “slow life” – you see it at various places across the park – and if you fancy taking the foot off the pedal, albeit for just a few days, then this place is ideal for that.

Getting there:

The park is 3 minutes by car to Bouillon and you can be there from Brussels in just 1 hour 50 minutes( ( two hours from Antwerp). The route takes in the lovely Ardennes landscape with direct access via exit 25 on the E411 (Transinne).

Lodges cost from €148 for 2 nights for 2 while a camper pitch is from just €19 per night.

Further info: www.florealholidays.be