Dinant is a charming small town in Belgium and one of the most visited destinations in Wallonia. It can be explored in just a few hours, making it the perfect spot for a day trip.
Dinant also has its own version of the Croisette which, although less famous than its Cannes counterpart, is just as pleasant.
The banks of the Meuse have been designed for pedestrians, cyclists, and terrace lovers. It’s the perfect place for a relaxing walk by the water, with plenty of spots to enjoy a beer or have lunch.
If you’re interested, you can also find boats offering scenic cruises along the Meuse River.
Located in the heart of the city, Dinant’s Collegiate Church is an impressive Mosan Gothic building, easily recognizable from afar thanks to its onion-shaped bell tower.
Despite the limited space imposed by its location, the interior creates a remarkable sense of grandeur through its architecture and is well worth a visit.
Johan Bakker, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
You can reach the Citadel of Dinant either on foot via more than 400 steps, or by taking the cable car. The fortress is also accessible by car for those who are less sporty or who suffer from vertigo (the second part of the staircase rises quite high, with a direct view over the void).
In addition to a museum about the city’s history during World War I, you can also enjoy an exceptional panoramic view over the “Daughter of the Meuse.”
The only bridge in the city that connects the left bank of the Meuse to the right bank. It is decorated with giant saxophones on both sides, in honor of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the instrument, who was born in Dinant.
Each saxophone is decorated in the colors of different countries. Try to guess their origins before reading the signs placed on their bases.
The Bayard Rock is a spectacular needle-shaped limestone formation rising about 40 meters high on the banks of the Meuse, near Dinant. You’ll pass by it if you arrive in Dinant from the south by car.
Linked to the old Ardennes legend of the Four Sons of Aymon, it is one of the major tourist attractions of the region.
