Summer Flashback: Howells in Wallonia (& Luxembourg)

It was the summer of 2009. My parents were visiting from Denver. We saw Brussels and Flanders, and then...the blog fell silent. Such silence has been explained, but now begins the task of catching up. And this catching up begins with: Wallonia!

Wallonia is the southern region of Belgium, the Gallic, laissez-faire contrast to the Germanic orderliness that is the North. It is Francophone today, though there is also a strong cultural history tied up in its Walloon dialect, which had faded in importance but has experienced a resurgence in recent years.

More to the immediate point, Wallonia marks the third region that we visited with my parents. We had a couple of big days in the South, the first of which was the coldest and rainiest day of my parents' visit, thus making it perfect for the long drive to the other side of the country. We started off in the pouring rain, our compass pointed southeast towards Bastogne. However, as we crossed the halfway point, I noticed a building off the motorway that looked just like the chateau on the cover of my parents' guidebook (it turned out to be that very one!). Thus began our first detour of the day, a spontaneous side-trip to the Chateau Lavaux-Sainte-Anne with its contrasting architectural styles, interesting interiors, picturesque moat, and beautiful nature-reserve grounds.



After Lavaux-St-Anne we made our way to Bastogne and the nearby WWII museum and monument interpreting and honoring the Battle of the Bulge (Ardennes).







As we headed back from Bastogne towards our evening target of La Roche, we took yet another detour, this time into Luxembourg. (Alright, it's a bit of a technicality, but my parents did in fact visit three countries during their two week stay!)





Brief Luxembourg dalliances aside, we soon re-entered Belgium and rounded out a long, interesting day with a visit to La-Roche-en-Ardenne.



Wallonia Day 1 might have been rainy, but my parents were blessed with warm sunny weather 95% of the time they were here, so Wallonia Day 2 dawned bright and clear. Our first visit was to Freÿr Castle and its beautiful gardens.





After the castle, we made the quick drive up the road to Dinant, a charming riverside town complete with unusual onion-domed church, which is dramatically backed by a formidable hilltop citadel.





We enjoyed a fun late lunch at a pretty riverside café, soaking up the sunshine and summertime atmosphere.



The bright sunny weather was just what we ordered for my parents' visit. Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels...we're so glad my parents made trek over the Atlantic to visit us and see a bit of 'Our Belgium'.

Wallonia Photo Album - Click Here