An evening on the river

In September in Terres-de-Meuse, we’re taking advantage of the last warm, sunny days to discover the Meuse Valley from a different angle… Aboard the Val Mosan! From May to September, this tourist boat takes you along the river on Friday evenings, for an hour-long river cruise. The perfect way to start the evening, before enjoying a fine meal, also on the banks of the Meuse: Pampa Bar!

Justine Toussaint

Ambassadrice
Terres-de-Meuse

Ju on the road

Aperitif on the water

aboard the Val Mosan

Until now, I had a rather “old-fashioned” and “family” image of river cruising.
This early evening with friends discovering the banks of the Meuse in Huy by boat
totally changed my mind! After a stroll through Vieux Huy and a passage
on the Grand Place, we boarded at 6:30pm on the quay, opposite the Collegiate
and a stone’s throw from the Maison du Tourisme Terres-de-Meuse.

A nice surprise: we’re the only ones on board! Warmly welcomed by the captain and his deckhand, we settle into the best seats. The sun is already setting as we sail towards Ben-Ahin, past the Fort and Maison Batta. The further we go, the greener the banks of the Meuse become, even wilder in places. It’s so pleasant to be rocked by the waves! We pass the port of Statte and the brand-new Pampa Bar. This is where we’ll continue our evening on the banks of the Meuse. The plates are already flying on the sunny terrace, and we can hear the laughter in the distance. We’re looking forward to it.

In the meantime, we’re enjoying our aperitif: a plate of local charcuterie and cheeses, tapenade and olives, accompanied by a glass of wine.

Further information

The boat continues under the Père Pire bridge, a much more industrial area. Did you know? This bridge linking Ben-Ahin to the commune of Wanze was named the Pont Père Pire in homage to Dominique Pire, Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1958.

Thankfully, the passage past BioWanze and its industrial banks is short-lived. We soon reach Bas-Oha and Gives, much greener, calmer parts. The light glides over the ruins of Beaufort castle. We enjoy the last rays of sunshine, while the captain of the Val Mosan turns around, heading back in the other direction towards Huy.

It’s already over! It’s already time to return to the quay. All 4 of us loved this experience, a pleasant moment to enjoy as a family, couple or group.

Le Val Mosan, June to September, nocturne Fridays at 6:30pm.

Pampa Bar

tapas and a friendly atmosphere on the banks of the Meuse

After thanking our crew, we head to Pampa Bar,
Pauline and Marie Paillhe’s brand-new bar in the port of Statte.

Completely renovated, Pampa is the new haunt of the Hutois. Here, the sense of welcome
is well known. Marie and Davy in the dining room set us up and put us straight at ease.

At table, we share delicious Mediterranean-inspired tapas, but not only: the menu evolves with the seasons and local produce. These are carefully chosen, with local suppliers and producers, such as the Boca butchery. Behind the stove, Pauline puts her heart and soul into combining textures and flavors to create delicious dishes to share at the center of the table. Special mention goes to the mussels, cream, garlic and parsley, as well as the tajine with chicken and apricot, a real treat. And let’s not forget the calamari… In short, the menu features not-to-be-missed must-tries, as well as suggestions depending on what’s available, what the mood is and what’s in season. To accompany the tapas, there are cocktails, recommended by Marie, as well as attractive references on the wine list. Let yourself go and trust the team…

To end the evening on a high note (and if you’ve got any room left), the desserts on the menu are to die for. To share… Or not!”

The Pampa Bar restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 12pm to 2pm and from 6pm to 11pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

PAMPA bar à tapas

Situé en bord de Meuse, vous pouvez y déguster des plats à partager, des cocktails maison, vins méditerranéens, bières locales... Vous serez en vacances et ce, à deux pas de...