From Namur to Dinant Along the Meuse River

Born in Namur in 1833, Félicien Rops is a local artist worth to discover. He was a painter, illustrator and a prolific caricaturist, associated with Symbolism and the Parisian "Fin-de-Siecle" art movements. He is best known for providing illustrations for French poets such as Charles Baudelaire or Paul Verlaine.
Open Hours: Closed on Monday, except in July and August Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00

After visiting Namur, you can go back to your car and drive south along the Meuse valley.

If you like strawberries, then it's a stop for you! The area of Wepion, south of Namur, has been the cultivating place of Belgium's best strawberries since the 1800s. There is an entire museum dedicated to this delicious fruit. You will learn everything about growing of strawberry and getting to taste and purchase a variety of products including strawberry jam, beer, candies or liqueur...
Pay attention on the road: you may find fresh strawberries to buy from local sellers.
Open Hours: From April to September Closed on Monday Tuesday - Sunday: 11:00 - 18:00
Visit official website to buy tickets in advance.

Before arriving at Dinant, you can have lunch in the nice village of Bouvignes-sur-Meuse in this lovely family restaurant. It's pretty small, so don't forget to book on the website.
Open Hours: Closed on Wednesday and Thursday Friday - Sunday: 12:00 - 14:00, 18:00 - 20:30 Monday - Tuesday: 12:00 - 14:00

Standing proudly on the edge of a massive cliff, the Citadel of Dinant is one of the most impressive fortresses in Belgium. Destroyed and rebuilt many times, the citadel that we see today has been shaped by the Dutch in the 19th century. Now converted into a museum, it offers a spectacular panorama over the Meuse Valley
You can easily park your car in front of the Citadel. But, like in Namur, you can also park in the center and go up to the Citadel with the cable car. You can check the informations on the Citadel' website.
Open Hours: April to September: daily 10:00 - 18:00 October to 11th November: daily 10:00 - 17:30 11th November to March: Saturday - Thursday 10:00 - 16:30

You can park here to visit Dinant historical centre (or park at your hotel if there is a car park).

Dinant is the hometown of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of one of the finest musical instruments, the saxophone, named after him. You can visit this small and free museum, which tells the story of his life and his musical inventions. He also invented the saxotromba, the saxhorn and the saxtuba. Adolphe Sax went bankrupt many times and died in poverty.
Open Hours: daily 09:00 - 18:00

Spanning the river Meuse, the Charles de Gaulle bridge is decorated with 28 painted saxophones, paying tribute to each of the European countries within the European Union (even if 27 now after the Brexit). The bridge is named after the famous French General, later President of France, Charles de Gaulle, who suffered a wound there during World War I. On the other side of the bridge, you fill find its statue.

This is the best place to take a picture of Dinant, with its beautiful colored houses, the Citadel and the collegiate Church of Our Lady, reflecting on the river Meuse. You will get the best suitable light after the sunset and before the nightfall.

You can have dinner in this very nice restaurant, in front of the river Meuse. The service is very good and the atmosphere calm and romantic. You can book a table on the website.
Open Hours: Closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Friday, Saturday and Monday: 12:00 - 14:00, 18:30 - 21:00 Sunday: 12:00 - 14:00
If it's closed during your stay, you can have dinner at the nearby restaurant "Les Amourettes" (Pl Saint-Nicolas 11, information on Facebook page).

After this long day, it is time to rest for getting ready for tomorrow. Try to book a room with a view on the river Meuse.