Travel guide Namur

Cistercian or Benedictine, of monks or nuns, the abbeys were numerous in the region of Namur. Always occupied or burned down during the French Revolution, of various architectural styles, the monasteries are important witnesses that have shaped the local history. Many of them have become major actors of the tourist heritage.

Namur is the historical capital of the province that bears its name. Today, it is best known for being the capital of Wallonia since 1986. The regionalised Belgium has established the seat of the Walloon government and parliament there. Thirty-five years and major urban renovations later, the city's status can now be seen on the street.

The county of Namur in the past occupied almost the contours of the present province. It was in strategic competition with the principality of Liège, which had lands outside its city. The duchy of Brabant was close by. Rivalries between lords were strong in the region: as many castles were visible or accessible to tourists

Former fortress of the Counts of Namur, strategic position and important stronghold in Europe, the Citadel is today the first tourist site of the city and a major attraction in Wallonia. It has many points of interest and since spring 2021, has found a brand new cable car that links it to the city.

From Maubeuge and Charleroi, the Sambre meets the Meuse at a place called Le Grognon. After four decades of dithering and wandering, the site has been redeveloped from top to bottom and inaugurated in September 2021. Once built up, the site had become a canker and then a parking lot. Now, Confluence is an agora as in Roman times.

In Namur, a stilt walker is a participant in a joust, perched on stilts. This tradition, recognized by Unesco since 2021, has existed for 600 years and pits two companies against each other. The Mélans (yellow and black) represent the old city. They face the Avresses (white and red) from the outer districts

Universal symbol of slowness, the snail is also the one of Namur, its inhabitants being regularly mocked for their caricatural phlegm. A legend drawn from the situation of the brotherhoods associates the snails with the city since the Middle Ages. As if to support this character trait, the snail is also raised for its meat in the region

Born in Namur, the controversial artist made his career in Paris. His hometown pays a permanent tribute to Félicien Rops, one of the most sulphurous painters, aquafortist, draftsman or illustrator of his generation. His erotic, licentious even, terribly daring art for his time (XIXᵉ century) is highlighted in a former mansion.

Namur is a daughter of the Meuse. Before entering the city, the river has carved a valley lined with rocks where it cuts into the Condroz plateau (the Upper Meuse). The river runs along the rock on the eastern side, bordering Jambes on the right bank. Historical floods in 1740 and 1925-1926. The city center is bordered by its tributary, the Sambre.

"Waking up the Sleeping Beauty" was the will of Mr. Prévot, mayor since 2012. The mission is underway with top-notch architectural achievements that put Namur on the map of Belgian cities on the move. Citadel, Grand Manège, Confluence, train station, Enjambée, Halle al'chair, cable car, Pavilion... Nice cultural identity !

After 40 years of good and loyal service, the Namur cable car stopped all activity in 1997. In 2013, the mayor Maxime Prévot ordered a feasibility study for the construction of a new cable car. Inaugurated in May 2021, it links the city to the citadel in 4 minutes. It is composed of four trains of three cabins.

The Fêtes de Wallonie (the Wallos) celebrate regionalism à la belge and above all are the occasion for popular festivities in various towns in Wallonia. The most emblematic are in Namur on the 3ᵉ weekend of September, since 1923. Pekèt (genever) flows freely, a mass in Walloon and stilt-walker fights are on the program.