Summary
Situated along the Meuse River, this city boasts a remarkably scenic location, nestled between the flowing waters and the towering valley walls. To the east rises an insurmountable limestone cliff that has historically made Dinant a strategic position for military endeavors. Perched atop this rocky prominence is a citadel that complements the distinctive 16th-century onion dome of the Collegiate Church. Along the riverside, Boulevard Léon Sasserath features an extensive array of restaurants and café terraces. Notably, Dinant’s cultural legacy is marked by its role as the birthplace of Adolphe Sax (1814-1894), the inventor of the saxophone, with numerous saxophone monuments adorning the town, including one at the bridge where Charles de Gaulle was wounded in 1914.
1. La Citadelle de Dinant
The impressive cliff that encompasses Dinant to the east has been fortified since the 11th century, following the Bishop of Liège’s mandate for a castle to secure the town and the Meuse crossing below. This stronghold was destroyed by the Burgundians during the Sack of Dinant in 1466. Later, the renowned French military architect Vauban modified the citadel for gunpowder, which subsequently underwent adjustments by the Dutch between 1818 and 1821. The citadel played a pivotal role during the Battle of Dinant in 1914, with a dedicated space recreating the experience of trench warfare. Additionally, an intriguing weapons museum is housed within, befitting a city with such a tumultuous past. The preserved bakery, kitchens, barracks, and dungeons offer glimpses into life at the citadel in the early 19th century. To reach the citadel efficiently, visitors can take the cable car departing adjacent to the Collégiale Notre-Dame.
2. Collégiale Notre-Dame de Dinant
Among the first aspects to catch your attention about the church, situated along the river beneath the citadel, is the distinctive onion dome that dominates the western tower, reaching a height of 100 meters, dating back to the 16th century. Additionally, a notable feature is the relatively short choir, constrained by the church’s small plot, with a towering rock wall positioned just behind it. Indeed, a rock fall previously destroyed the Romanesque predecessor of Collégiale Notre-Dame, leaving only the north portal intact. The current structure was constructed in the 13th and 14th centuries but underwent three reconstructions due to damage sustained in 1466, 1554, and 1914. Inside, there exists a painting by the Dinant-born Romantic artist Antoine Wiertz (1806-1865), and exceptionally old lifelike faces can be found carved into the hexagonal Romanesque baptismal font basin, which dates back to the 1000s.
3. Grotte la Merveilleuse
This remarkable show-cave was discovered on the left bank of the Meuse in 1904 and quickly garnered popularity for its wide array of concretions in various colors. Spanning three levels, the stalactites and stalagmites exhibit hues of pink, brown, blue, and bright white, accompanied by enchanting subterranean waterfalls. Visitors can explore Grotte la Merveilleuse via a well-lit staircase consisting of 120 steps, with the cave maintaining a constant temperature of approximately 13°C throughout the year.
4. Rocher Bayard
Situated on the right bank of the Meuse between Dinant and Anseremme stands the iconic needle of rock known as Rocher Bayard, rising 40 meters tall. This prominent landmark forms part of a majestic limestone ridge that extends along the valley’s edge, with access available via the northbound lane of Rue Defoin. The folklore surrounding Rocher Bayard is rich, rooted in the legend of the Four Sons of Aymon. According to the tale, the cleft was created by the hooves of their enchanted horse Bayard while rescuing the knight Renaud de Montauban and his three brothers from Charlemagne.
5. Parc de Furfooz
The natural beauty surrounding Dinant is undeniably captivating. You can traverse this scenic landscape on foot along the Lesse Valley at Parc de Furfooz. The scenery in this nature reserve, characterized by sun-baked limestone rock, has drawn comparisons to that of Provence. The site also bears archaeological significance, as humans—and our close ancestors—have inhabited this area since the Palaeolithic period. A staircase guides visitors through caves that were once inhabited, with additional features including a reconstructed Roman bath and a fortified plateau from the Middle Ages. The main yellow trail measures four kilometers and typically takes about two hours to walk at a leisurely pace.
6. Maison Leffe
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Leffe has a brewing legacy that dates back to 1240, ultimately giving rise to one of Europe’s most renowned beer brands. Visitors can immerse themselves in this fascinating history at a museum established within the chapel of the former Bethléem convent, which has since been converted into an upscale hotel. Maison Leffe presents a contemporary experience, replete with touchscreens and interactive displays. Inside, you’ll learn about the abbey’s initial brewing practices aimed at mitigating waterborne diseases such as typhus and its longstanding tradition of hospitality. There are also nine different varieties of Leffe beer available for tasting, some of which may not be accessible in your home country, along with insights into complementary food pairings for each brew.
7. Château de Vêves
This striking 15th-century château located in the nearby village of Celles stands prominently on a rocky spur that has been fortified since the 7th century during the era of Frankish statesman Pepin of Herstal. The current early Renaissance design, characterized by five notable circular towers, was established after the building’s devastation in the early 1400s. While the exterior appearance has changed little since that time, the interior courtyard has undergone several alterations, featuring a splendid two-level, half-timbered gallery and an 18th-century Louis XV-style façade. Participating in a guided tour allows for an appreciation of centuries’ worth of art, decor, and historical artifacts, including ceramics, portraits, and traditional furnishings, all set within a distinguished environment.
8. Maison de Monsieur Sax
Numerous reminders of the eminent wind instrument inventor Adolphe Sax, who was born in Dinant, are present throughout the city. Visitors can explore the house where Sax was born in 1814, located on the street named after him, immediately recognizable by a bench featuring a statue of the inventor holding his creation. Inside, an advanced multimedia exhibition allows exploration of the various types of saxophones and details Sax’s vast technical contributions to the music industry. Moreover, the exhibition highlights the saxophone’s influence on popular culture, from Charlie Parker to Lisa Simpson, while recounting Sax’s unfortunate life journey that culminated in poverty and posthumous recognition after a lengthy legal battle over patent infringement.
9. Jardins d’Annevoie
A short distance along the Meuse leads to a château surrounded by unique water gardens in Belgium. Designed primarily in the French formal style, with Italian and English influences, these gardens were created by the Montpellier family simultaneously with the château in the mid-18th century. Water for the series of ponds, waterfalls, and fountains is sourced from the Rouillon River and flows naturally through the gardens, following the land’s contours. Although the château itself is not open to the public, visitors can spend an hour or two immersed in the beauty of the water gardens from the end of March to early November.
10. Crèvecoeur Castle
Perched on the left bank of the Meuse, the ruins of a castle erected in the 14th century serve to defend Bouvignes-sur-Meuse. In 1554, this site was besieged and subsequently fell to Henry II of France, leading the king to dismantle the castle to prevent its reuse, hence its name “Crèvecoeur” (Heartbreak). Legend has it that three local women leaped from the highest tower to avoid capture by invaders. Upon descending the steps, visitors are greeted by a historic gatehouse, which was once part of the castle. Amidst the ruins, the base of a formidable semicircular tower built around 1430 is still discernible, providing breathtaking views of the Meuse Valley, encompassing both Bouvignes and Dinant just a few kilometers away.
11. Abbaye Notre-Dame de Leffe
On the right bank of the Meuse lies the Premonstratensian abbey renowned for its famous beer. Founded in the mid-12th century, the abbey has remained operational throughout its history, except for a hiatus from 1784 to 1903 due to the French Revolution. During the summer months, free tours are available on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 15:00. Significantly, the abbey had suffered extensive destruction in 1466 at the hands of Burgundian forces during the Wars of Liège. The oldest structures within the double interior courtyard were constructed during the 17th-century rebuild. The Abbot’s quarter is particularly striking, featuring a grand chamber with an expansive fireplace, Renaissance furniture, and numerous sculptures and portraits.
12. Castle of Freÿr
Just a brief drive upstream from Dinant, visitors will discover this exquisite property that served as the summer residence for the Dukes of Beaufort-Spontin. The Castle of Freÿr boasts opulence characterized by Renaissance and Baroque extensions from the 16th and 17th centuries. Initially serving a defensive purpose on a strategic Meuse stretch, it sustained destruction to its keep by the French in 1554. Presently, the castle, retained by the Beaufort-Spontin family for 20 generations, stands as a prime example of an 18th-century aristocratic residence, adorned with period furnishings. The interiors feature striking Louis XV-style ceiling frescoes and wall paintings by Frans Snyders (1579-1657), though the formal terraced gardens, designed in the style of André Le Nôtre, are acclaimed for their magnificent vistas of the towering limestone cliffs opposite, alongside the oldest orange trees in Europe, planted in the early 18th century. At the pinnacle, a Rococo pavilion adorned with delicately crafted stucco moldings of tritons and angels awaits.
13. Pont Charles de Gaulle
One of the most tragic episodes in Dinant’s tumultuous history transpired in August 1914, amid a confrontation between the French and German forces vying for control of the Meuse. The Battle of Dinant was marked by brutality and disarray, and amidst the turmoil, the Germans wrongfully accused the local populace of engaging in partisan attacks, resulting in the horrific massacre of 674 unarmed civilians. The conflict also inflicted extensive damage upon the historic cityscape. Among those involved in the battle was a young lieutenant, Charles de Gaulle, who was among the first to be injured when he suffered a wound to his lower leg. Close to the west bank, a plaque commemorates the location where the future president of France was injured, accompanied by a stylized statue nearby. In a more festive development, since 2010, the roadway of the bridge has been adorned with saxophones, each painted to reflect the style of a different European nation.
14. Lesse River Trip
The Lesse River winds through breathtaking landscapes prior to merging with the Meuse at Anseremme. This river traverses tranquil and sparsely populated woodlands, flanked by wild rock formations and enchanting castles. The best way to take in the grandeur of this scenery is from the water. During the summer, Dinant Evasion offers kayaking experiences on both a short (12 km) and long (21 km) course down the river. There is a regular shuttle service to transport participants to their starting point, and as they glide back to Anseremme, countless opportunities arise to pull the kayak ashore for refreshments or meals. For those interested in the Meuse, Dinant Evasion also provides eco-friendly electric boats for rent.
15. Dinant Aventure
The same organization offering kayak rentals on the Lesse operates an outdoor adventure park located in a transformed sandstone quarry nearby. Dinant Aventure spans almost 20 hectares, featuring a variety of rope courses suspended high above the Meuse Valley. These courses range in difficulty and duration, providing opportunities for traversing suspended bridges, scaling sheer rock walls on the Via Vita trail, testing balance skills, and swinging from tree to tree. The lengthiest crossing measures 100 meters and stands 60 meters high, while the XL swing offers exhilarating drops from a height of 60 meters. Furthermore, Dinant Aventure encompasses two landscaped arenas for paintballing and laser tag, allowing for various combinations of activities in multiple package options.
