Trips and short breaks close to home: Namur
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History, charm and enjoyment
Namur, the capital of Wallonia, is picturesquely situated on the Sambre and Meuse rivers, just under two hours from Luxembourg.
Even as you arrive, the city impresses with its location: the imposing citadel, which served as a strategic point for centuries, is enthroned on a hill. The Romans were already aware of the geographical importance of this location. Over the course of history, the Dukes of Burgundy and later the Habsburgs expanded their fortifications. Today, the citadel is considered one of the largest fortresses in Europe and offers a breathtaking view of the city and the rolling hills of the Meuse Valley.
Romantic old town alleys and addresses for connoisseurs
Our weekend begins on a sunny Saturday morning. After parking our car, we stroll across the historic stone bridge ‘Pont de Jambes’ and enjoy our first view of the old town with its charming alleys. The Baroque and Classicist-style houses are reminiscent of the city’s heyday in the 17th and 18th centuries. The grey limestone buildings, adorned with ornate façades and wrought-iron balconies, are particularly striking.
We start our discovery tour in the lively shopping street Rue de Fer and lose ourselves in the small side streets, where the true soul of Namur is hidden. Here you will find original boutiques, pretty antique shops and small concept stores, such as ‘Les Cup’inn’, a café and shop on Rue Haute Marcelle that offers local products and original gift ideas, or ‘Atelier-53’, a lovingly furnished creative space for textiles of all kinds. If you are looking for typical Walloon specialities, you should stop by the ‘Maison des Desserts’, where you will find delicious tarts and pralines.
Local specialities and bold art
As we stroll around, we keep coming across little details that tell stories: an old door with ornate carvings, a hidden courtyard full of flowers, a humorous reference to a regional delicacy, the ‘Escargots Petits-Gris de Namur’, which, by the way, taste delicious.
The highlight for us is a visit to the ‘Musée Félicien Rops’. The artist, who hailed from Namur and was known for his provocative and mostly erotic works, was a central figure of the 19th century. The museum, which is well worth seeing, is housed in an elegant mansion and displays not only his famous etchings, but also letters, sketches and personal items. It is particularly fascinating to see how Rops questioned the social conventions of his time… A hint of scandal still wafts through the exhibition rooms today!
After our cultural visit, we head to a cosy brasserie on the ‘Place du Marché’ and order ‘Boulettes à la liégeoise’, a Belgian meat speciality with a sweet and sour sauce, accompanied by crispy French fries. We wash it down with a ‘Blanche de Namur’, a refreshing local wheat beer that has been brewed in the Brasserie du Bocq since the 19th century.
Romantic dinner at the castle hotel
In the late afternoon, we make our way to our accommodation, the Château de Namur, a romantic hotel above the city, surrounded by a beautiful park. The historic building exudes the charm of bygone times without sacrificing modern comforts. After a stroll in the garden, a delicious dinner awaits us on the terrace of the hotel’s restaurant. The view of the Meuse Valley is magnificent and the tasting menu is a true feast for the senses: from tender game to creative vegetable compositions to a sinfully good dessert creation with Belgian chocolate… all perfectly accompanied by exquisite wines. Heaven on earth!
Sunday morning begins with a leisurely breakfast in the castle. Before we leave, we take a detour to the citadel and let our gaze wander over the rooftops of the city, the shimmering river and the bridges connecting the two banks. We will remember this image for a long time to come!
Our weekend in Namur ends as it began: with a feeling of discovery and enjoyment. This city combines history, culture and joie de vivre in a unique way… a real insider tip for anyone looking for something special and wanting to treat themselves!