{"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":"2026-05-04T17:55:48","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T15:55:48","slug":"namur-as-the-ideal-base-for-the-meuse-valley-without-a-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leondijksman.nl\/en\/travel\/namur-as-the-ideal-base-for-the-meuse-valley-without-a-car\/","title":{"rendered":"Namur as the ideal base for the Meuse Valley (without a car)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

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

Why Namur is the perfect ‘hub’<\/h3>\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 facilities (charming terraces, excellent restaurants, and beautiful architecture), while being in the heart of nature or another historic city within half an hour. <\/p>\n\n

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

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

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

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

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