Nature house in Gemmenich

Surrounded by greenery, right on the edge of the forest, lies this simple, cozy cottage in the “Ardenne Bleue.” In this French-speaking part of Belgium, you’ll feel like you’re on vacation right away. Literally just a stone’s throw from the Vijlenerbos, this is the perfect place to unwind. Hike to your heart’s content or go mountain biking to your heart’s content. Or… take a nice nap in the shade under the trees. Hot summer? The air conditioning will keep you cool. In winter, light the cozy wood stove. Curl up on the couch and keep reading your book. Pour yourself a drink: wine, tea, beer, or soda. Upon arrival, the beds are made, and bath and kitchen linens are, of course, provided. In the kitchen, you’ll find various herbs and spices, tea, coffee, sugar, and honey—all organic and/or locally sourced. You can leave your shower gel and shampoo at home—they’re organic here, too. Here, you’ll sleep in complete peace. Maybe you’ll hear an owl. The birds will let you know that a new day has begun. Enjoy your Nespresso in bed with a view of the forest. Have breakfast on one of the terraces. Enjoy...!

The first photo shows the view from the side and back. From the garden, you can walk right into the woods. Take a walk or bike ride to Sippenaeken, Vaals, Vijlen, or Aachen. Along the way, you’ll come across charming little restaurants that’ll gladly welcome you (and your four-legged friend) for coffee, lunch, drinks, or dinner. In the center of Gemmenich, you’ll find a delicious bakery, a butcher shop, and the fantastic “quincaillerie” (a sort of combination of Blokker and Hubo) run by the Herzet family. There’s also a pharmacy, the village grocery store, and—of course—Dany’s Friterie du Village. In Gemmenich, French is the main language. But people here are also happy to speak Dutch. For language enthusiasts: Gemmenich has its own dialect—a mix of German, Limburgish, and a touch of French. After all, you’re in the Three-Country Region here! Cozy villages, beautiful cities—you can get there in no time. By car, you’re in Vaals in 10 minutes, in Aachen in 20, and in Gulpen in the same amount of time. In an hour you’ll be in Cologne, and you can reach Maastricht and Liège in 45 minutes.