← Marathon de Charleroi·3 nights

Namur and Dinant: Two Meuse Towns After Charleroi

A citadel city at the meeting of two rivers and a cliff-backed town where the saxophone was invented.

Duration3 nights
TransitSNCB train from Charleroi-Central to Namur, about 40 minutes, then Namur to Dinant, about 30 minutes
DepartsCharleroi-Central

After the Marathon de Charleroi: Namur and Dinant

The Route: Charleroi → Namur → Dinant → Brussels Airport Logistics: SNCB train, about 40 minutes to Namur, then about 30 minutes on to Dinant. Both stations are a short walk from the river. Marathon Month: April Duration: 3 nights

Charleroi-Central ──(about 40 min, SNCB)──> Namur ──(about 30 min, SNCB)──> Dinant
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Brussels Airport (BRU) <──(about 1h45, SNCB via Namur)──────────────────────────┘

The Meuse rises in France and reaches the North Sea at Rotterdam, and between Namur and Dinant it runs through a limestone gorge. Adolphe Sax was born in Dinant in 1814, and his saxophone is painted in bright colours on sculptures along the bridge. Namur, upstream, has a citadel high on a spur at the meeting of two rivers. A three-night trip can use both.

Buy a ticket in the SNCB app or at the station, and check the planner.

April in Namur and Dinant: highs of 12°C to 15°C, with sun and showers. The citadel is breezy, so bring a layer. Check opening days, because Monday closures are common.

Night One: Namur

Mercure Namur Hôtel is near the station. Confirm lifts and breakfast times when you book. The Place d'Armes and the old centre are level and a short walk away.

The Citadel of Namur is reached by a cable car, which avoids a steep climb. Check the current schedule, since the cable car does not always run in early spring. Entry to the grounds costs around €8 and prices vary, so use the figure as a guide only.

Night Two: Dinant

Take the train to Dinant, where the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame, with a bulbous tower, stands beneath a cliff. The riverside promenade is flat, with benches and cafés. A cable car climbs to the Citadel of Dinant, and the exit has a view over the whole town. Check the schedule.

Dinant is known for couques, hard honey biscuits stamped with patterns, which are more for show than eating. A saxophone trail runs along the Pont Charles de Gaulle. Hotels are available along the river and near the church, so confirm lifts and breakfast times.

Night Three: A Slower Day

Choose one place. A river cruise from Dinant is the best seated option, with boats running in season. Check the current schedule, since services in April may be limited. In Namur, the old centre has quiet cafés and a Sunday market in some seasons.

Getting to Brussels Airport (BRU)

Dinant to Brussels Airport takes about 1 hour 45 minutes by train with a change at Namur or Brussels. Check the SNCB planner. The airport station is below the terminal, with lifts.