Top 8 natural swimming spots in the Ardennes

Take a dip in a lake, splash in a river, let yourself drift along in a stream… The perfect way to let off steam, recharge your batteries, and feel at one with nature. The Ardennes are full of natural swimming spots where swimming is allowed and safe. Discover our 8 favourite swimming spots in the Ardennes. The ideal refreshment for this summer and this close to home!

1. Maboge beach

The small town of Maboge is nestled in a beautiful wooded area on the banks of the Ourthe near La Roche-en-Ardenne. The Maboge beach is THE perfect swimming spot for a glorious afternoon with friends or family.

Bring your picnic, towel, and swimming costume and dive into this natural swimming area. Everything is there for a great day: outdoor play equipment, BBQ areas, and a lovely village café for a fresh local beer. On top of that? It is completely free!

Zwemplaats in de Ardennen

Our advice? Bring warm spare clothing and a blanket and enjoy a beautiful sunset in the valley or for a BBQ evening. During the high season, toilets and showers are also available at this swimming spot in the Ardennes.

TIP

Maboge is also an ideal starting point for a kayak trip down the Ourthe. Are you looking for a change between swimming and a fun activity? Discover our partner Ardenne Adventure who offers fun kayak tours in the neighbourhood..

2. Robertville lake

Close to Malmedy, the dam on the Warche in Robertvillecreates a 62-hectare lake. This lake is surrounded by a beautiful hilly forest with numerous paths. You have a beautiful view guaranteed at any time of day! Also discover the short walk from the Robertville dam to Reinhardstein castle. Ideal for the whole family after a refreshing swim.

Zwemplaats Robertville in de Ardennen

Fun for everyone

The lake is professionally managed with a defined swimming area, is well equipped (changing cabins, showers, cafeteria, lifeguard, etc.), and offers numerous water activities for everyone: rowing, pedal boats, or motor boat trips and even more fun with the diving board and water trampoline.

This swimming spot in the Ardennes is child-friendly. There is a sand area and a playground for young children. It is important to note that this is only accessible with a paid admission.

3. Nawè beach

If we had to make a top 10 list of things to do in Belgium at least once in your life, swimming in the Semois would definitely be on that list. And Herbeumont lends itself perfectly to this.

At the foot of the impressive Conques viaduct, you find ‘La plage de Nawè’, a grassy swimming spot on a rocky outcrop typical of the Semois Valley. This swimming spot is located upstream of the dam, so that a water level is always maintained at 1 to 1.20 m. Changing cabins and benches are available for even greater comfort.

This place is one of the few natural swimming spots accessible to people with reduced mobility. The access road is easy and you can enter the river via a slightly sloping surface.

Relaxing with the little ones

The small ‘plage de l’Antrogne’ is also located in Herbeumont at the confluence of the Semois and the Antrogne stream. This swimming spot is more suitable for the little ones, who can splash around in the water happily and without any danger. Easy access, barbecue area… everything is available for a nice family moment.

  • Address: 6887 Herbeumont
  • Water quality: good quality
  • Maximum depth of water: 1.30 m
A group of friends legs dangling off a jetty, by the water at a lake together on a sunny afternoon.
A group of friends legs dangling off a jetty, by the water at a lake together on a sunny afternoon.

4. VENNTASTIC BEACH at BÜTGENBACH LAKE

It is often a choice between a trip to the sea or to the Ardennes. We will spare you that dilemma. At the heart of the Worriken leisure centre in Bütgenbach in a huge forest, you will find VENNtastic Beach, a beach with 8,000 m² of fine sand.

Everything is provided in the water: a supervised swimming area with a children’s pool for the little ones, relaxation islands to chill out in the middle of the water, and anchored games (air games) for maximum fun. You won’t get bored on the sand either: a playground, areas for beach volleyballand beach football…

And for those who like a bit of excitement can choose sit-on-top kayaks, pedalos or, a bit further on in Lake Bütgenbach, sailing or windsurfing. In brief, VENNtastic Beach has something for everyone, for young and old, from relaxation to sensation!

GOING INSIDE

Is it raining unexpectedly? Don’t worry, there is also an indoor pool. However, this is only accessible with a paid admission.

5. The Semois in Bouillon – Pont de France

Want to spend the night in the vicinity of Bouillon? Then be sure to enjoy this unique swimming spot on the Semois River in the heart of the city! Pont-de-France is an authentic 19th-century bridge with a secret spot, namely a beautiful spot in the middle of nature where you are officially allowed to swim. It has a 142-metre beach and is recognised as ‘the’ swimming spot in summer!

6. The Lake at Chérapont – Gouvy

The Chérapont estate is located near the natural springs of the Eastern Ourthe in the charming town of Gouvy. You can enjoy a refreshing swim here and then enjoy sunbathing on the sandy beach.

The beach is accessible for people with reduced mobility and is equipped with toilets and showers so that you can get back into your car or train in a refreshed state! Yes, you can reach this swimming spot by train! There is a direct train between Brussels and Gouvy and you get off at the Gouvy train station. From there, you can walk to the swimming spot. On your way, you will also pass by the castle of Gouvy, which is definitely worth a visit. It takes about 30 minutes to walk there.

Are you more of a fan of fishing? You will find a lot of fish in the deeper part of the lake! Bring your gear and fish for trout, pike, carp, bream, and tench.

7. The Pont Saint-Nicolas beach

Just enjoyed the panoramic walk on the mighty Rocher du Hat rock and need to cool off? Go to the Pont Saint-Nicolas beach and dive into the fresh Semois River. Along the shore you will find a quiet place to enjoy a picnic and a blissful moment by the water. Let the peace of the forest, the chirping of the birds, and the laughter of the children fill your day.

Would you like to alternate swimming with another activity? Rent a kayak! Just below the beautiful Saint-Nicolas Bridge, you will find kayak rental company ‘Le Batifol’ offering you a nice trip on the Semois.

8. The lake of Libramont

The lake of Libramont is just a 9-minute walk from the train station. You can see it as half outdoor pool and half lake. It’s really wonderful! In the summer, it’s the meeting place for many swimming enthusiasts.

It is easy to park and you can easily combine the playground for the children, the sports centre for the teenagers, and relaxing by the lake. So, it’s a swimming spot that provides everything.

Tips before you leave

Get dressed from head to toe! So, also remember to bring your water shoes. The river beds consist of uneven and unstable rocks and playing in the water with bare feet can be a bit difficult.

Want to combine swimming with a nice walk? The swimming spots are also the starting or finishing points of walks along the water’s edge… So, you already have a plan B should the weather be a bit unpredictable or just an extra activity to enjoy the surroundings when you spend the night there. Are you still looking for accommodation? Discover more than 2,000 holiday homes in the Ardennes.

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Please note that these are natural swimming spots. Be respectful of nature and take your rubbish with you. We’re counting on you! ;) Have fun!

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Ardennes
Robertville
Nawés
Maboge
Bütgenbach
Gouvy