A hidden gem tucked in southern Belgium is the town of Dinant, which just so happens to be my favorite place I have ever visited thus far in my travels. With a population of 13,500, the town itself is quaint, but there is a plethora of things to do.
Getting to Dinant
There are three best ways to get to Dinant: by car, train, or bus. There are also planned tours from Brussels that can bring you to the city as well.
Charles de Gaulle Saxophone Bridge
When you arrive in Dinant, one of the first things you will see is the Charles de Gaulle Saxophone Bridge spanning the River Meuse. Adorned with 28 saxophones, each representing a country within the European Union, you are able to spend quite a bit of time looking at each saxophone which are all painted uniquely based on the country they represent. Why saxophones? That's an easy one. The creator of the saxophone, Adolphe Sax was born in Dinant and his influence on the town can be seen everywhere you walk in town.
La Maison de Monsieur Sax (Sax's House)
To continue on the saxophone theme, head on over to the Maison Adolphe Sax, a quaint museum dedicated to the one and only Adolphe Sax. This is not only a museum, but also the birthplace of Adolphe himself. This immersive experience allows you to walk on the floor, in the shape of a saxophone, make the instruments play by the push of a button, and to read text that is both on the walls and in the floor. When you are done experiencing the museum, you can also get a picture with Sax himself who is perched right outside his house on a wooden bench. Finding Sax's house is also quite easy as all you have to do is follow the A Parcours des Anamorphoses, seven totems each showing the different instruments in the saxophone family (sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, and double bass).
Notre Dame de Dinant
When you cross the Charles de Gaulle Saxophone Bridge, you will see both the Notre Dame de Dinant and the Dinant Citadel right in front of you. The Notre Dame de Dinant is a 13th century gothic cathedral with an iconic pear-shaped bell tower adorning the top. There are free tours in July and August at 3:00pm, or you can also request a guided tour for groups as well. When you walk into the cathedral, you will be met with beautiful limestone work and the largest stained glass windows in Europe, which depict the story of salvation. While in the church, you will also notice beautiful religious paintings as well, one from a famous Dinant-born artist, Antoine Wiertz.
La Citadelle de Dinant
Just above the Notre Dame de Dinant is La Citadelle de Dinant. There are three ways to get to the citadel, by car, cable car, or by walking up 408 steep, old steps to the top (which is what I did and was totally worth it, but would not recommend taking the steps down). Regardless of how you decide to get to the top, the views when you reach the citadel are breathtaking. Inside the citadel you are able to learn about how the fortress has seen many battles since its creation in 1815. There are two specific rooms that left an impression on me, the replication of WWII Trenches, which were dark and have audio effects that allow you to ear explosions and bullets all around you, as well as the reconstruction of a bunker that was hit by a bomb. The floors in this room are sloped and you have to focus on not falling into the water at the edge of the walking path. With an entry fee of €10, it is so worth the time, energy, and money for the views and history that you get to experience.
Boat Cruise on the Meuse River
If you are more for sightseeing, take a boat cruise on the Meuse River. There are many different cruise options to choose from, so there is one for all time frames (including night cruises)! You will not only be able to see Dinant from the water, but also the surrounding landscapes up and down the Meuse.
Couque de Dinant
Looking for an iconic thing to buy, and eat, while you are in Dinant? Go into any bakery in town to grab a Couque de Dinant. These hard, sweet biscuit is something you can crack a tooth on, so don't dig in right away. The biscuit is made with two ingredients: wheat flour and honey, and they are best paired with coffee or tea, where you are able to soak them a bit before taking a bite. Each biscuit is a work of art as well, being pressed with a design using cookie boards. Some are so beautiful that you don't want to eat them, which is okay because they also make great souvenirs or the smaller ones can be used as Christmas tree ornaments!
Saxophone "Hunting"
As mentioned earlier, there are a plethora of saxophones to be found in Dinant. Take a walk around town and find as many as you can! There are some that are in unsuspecting places as well as statues that portray saxophones in very interesting ways. If you are in the birth place of Adolphe Sax, why not take in as much saxophone history and art as possible? You will not be disappointed with the amount you find, regardless if you find them all or not.
There is so much to love about Dinant, whether it is the views, history, or music. Not to mention, the town itself is not as crowded as other European cities. While it is small, there is plenty to do, eat, and see, which makes it great for tourists.
Have you been to Dinant? Let me know your favorite thing about the town in the comments!
Travel on!
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