{"id":1220,"date":"2026-04-27T22:20:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T20:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leondijksman.nl\/niet-gecategoriseerd\/namur-as-the-ideal-base-for-the-meuse-valley-without-a-car\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T17:03:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T15:03:15","slug":"namur-the-perfect-base-for-the-meuse-valley-without-a-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leondijksman.nl\/en\/travel\/namur-the-perfect-base-for-the-meuse-valley-without-a-car\/","title":{"rendered":"Namur: The Perfect Base for the Meuse Valley Without a Car"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u00a9 Photo: L\u00e9on Dijksman<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When people think of the Ardennes, they often think of poor roads and crowded car parks. But what if I told you that three of the most impressive cities on the Meuse are easily accessible by train? For my last trip, I chose the Walloon capital Namur<\/a> as a strategic base. The goal: three cities, three citadels, and a significant amount of elevation gain.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Namur is the perfect ‘hub’<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Namur is not only the seat of the Walloon Parliament and the capital of the province of the same name, it is also a major railway junction. This makes the city the ideal ‘basecamp’. You stay in a city with all the amenities (charming pavement cafes, excellent restaurants, and beautiful architecture), while being in the heart of nature or another historic city within half an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I opted for an Airbnb in the historic centre of Namur, within walking distance of the train station. The big advantage of travelling<\/a> by train? No parking stress in narrow streets, and you can enjoy a local beer with peace of mind after a strenuous hike before heading back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three Cities, Three Citadels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

My journey centred on the ‘Citadel triathlon’. Although the citadels of Namur, Huy<\/a>, and Dinant<\/a> share a common history, the experience in each city is completely different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Dinant: Panoramic tranquility in the woods<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dinant is the postcard-perfect image of the Meuse Valley. Most tourists crowd near the church or take the stairs up to visit the Citadel. It is built into a rock face, close to the city centre, 100 metres above the water level of the Meuse. Since the end of the Second World War, the citadel has been home to a historical museum. However, the true charm of Dinant is found when you leave the Citadel and head into the woods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n