The small town of Namur (Belgium)is located 65 kilometers from Brussels, where the Meuse and Sabre rivers merge. Namur is the capital of the Wallonia region and the administrative center of the Walloon province.
The city of Namor grew up around a powerful citadel built by the Romans on the site of a Celtic settlement to protect their land from the raids of Germanic tribes. These events took place shortly before the Birth of Christ.
Namur, a province and city in Belgium, has an eventful history, a great historical heritage, and some interesting sights. The city has survived a large number of sieges, passed from hand to hand, and more than once found itself in the center of hostilities and revolutionary wars. Namur was annexed to Belgium only at the end of the nineteenth century.
Today, its population is about 110 thousand people. The locals mostly speak French and Dutch.
Namur’s main attractions
On the territory between the rivers Meuse and Sabre is the historical center of Namur – it is there that the sights that most attract the attention of tourists are located. Not only the old part of the province, but the whole city occupies a very small area, so it is best to get acquainted with it on foot. There are many pedestrian streets on its territory, which is why when moving by car you have to spend a lot of time and nerves searching for parking.
So, what are the first attractions to see in Namur (Belgium)?
Sambre River Embankment
This promenade is one of the most picturesque quays in the quiet and cozy province of Namur. The pavement is laid out with beautiful tiles, there are exquisite iron fences, comfortable benches and well-groomed trees stand around the perimeter. In autumn, when the foliage of these trees turns yellow and falls off, the embankment gets a particularly fabulous look. At this time, there are always a lot of vacationers who want to take vacation photos in Namur (Belgium) that would evoke pleasant memories of the trip.
If you start walking around the administrative center of the Walloon province on the embankment of the Sambre River, you can appreciate from afar the power and strength of the main local attraction – the Namur Citadel.The
Citadel
It is the Citadel, built by the Romans, and still standing surrounded by protective walls, is the largest structure of this quiet city. During the First World War, it was used to strengthen offensive positions in Belgium between Germany and France.
There are several viewing points on the territory, from which you can view the entire city. Next to the Citadel is a well-groomed and fairly large park, where locals like to relax. There is also an observation tower, from which you can see the whole city and its surroundings in the palm of your hand. There are well-equipped picnic areas, a beautiful playground for children.
Even in extreme heat, the ascent to the fortress is not at all tedious, but if you don’t want to go on foot, you can go by steam train.
- Where to find: Route Merveilleuse 64, Namur, Belgium.
- Entrance to the territory is free of charge.
You will be interested! On the banks of the Meuse River lies another Belgian city — Liege. What is different from others, find out in this article with photos.
Felicien Rops Provincial Museum
In Namur, there are also attractions of an artistic nature. On the quiet and cozy street Rue Fumal 12, in a house of the XVIII century, a museum dedicated to the life and work of Felicien Rops is hidden. There are about 1000 works of Felicien Rops (watercolors, sketches, etchings), as well as documents and books that tell about his life and creative activities.
The paintings of the artist and cartoonist have rather strange plots: women appear mainly as fiends of hell, bringing destruction to men. Rops was a talented painter with a taste for Eroticism, and although most of his works are quite “normal”, it is advisable not to show the exhibits on the second floor to children.
In the courtyard of the mansion, which is equipped with a museum, there is a small garden, quite traditional for a small province.
- Address: Rue Fumal 12, Namur, Belgium.
- The museum is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, and in July and August on Mondays.
Opening hours: from 10: 00 to 18: 00. Additional weekends: December 24, 25, 31, and January 1. - The ticket price is 5€ for adults, 2.5€ for students and seniors, and free admission for children under 12 years of age. On the first Sunday of each month, admission is free for everyone.
- Website: www.museerops.be.
On a note! What museums are worth seeing in Brussels, read here.
St. Loup’s Church
In the central part of Namur, at Rue Saint-Loup 1, is the Jesuit Church of Saint Loup. This structure, made in the style of the Southern Dutch Baroque, began construction in 1620, and was completed in 1645. The facade of the building is decorated with a traditional Jesuit symbol-the monogram of Jesus Christ “IHS”.
The exterior of the church is not impressive, but once you go inside, everything changes. The interior is striking in its luxury: a huge amount of black and red marble (columns, ceiling), elaborately carved wooden confessional booths, as well as paintings painted by one of Rubens ‘ students.
Now the church of St. Lupus is in operation, and exhibitions and concert performances are often organized here. Like many religious buildings in Belgium, the entrance to this church is free.
St. Abraham’s Cathedral (St. Avenin’s Cathedral)
Opposite the Namur City Hall, on Place St-Aubain, stands the majestic St. Abraham’s Cathedral. Such a large-scale construction would be quite suitable for Brussels, and not just for a fairly modest province.
The cathedral, built in the XVIII century, has one characteristic feature. Its design is designed simultaneously in two styles – Baroque and Rococo, and thanks to very finely observed proportions, the structure turned out to be very harmonious.
- Address: Place du Chapitre 3, Namur, Belgium.
- You can view the cathedral from the outside at any time, and you can go inside on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 15: 00 to 17: 00.
How to get to Namur from Brussels
By train
In Belgium, the most convenient mode of transport is the train. Trains run very often in all directions, and the cost of tickets for travel can be considered average in Europe.
So, upon arrival in Brussels, in the terminal hall you need to find a sign with a train and an arrow pointing in the right direction, that is, to the ticket office. At the ticket office, you need to buy a ticket to Namur. If the ticket has already been purchased online (www.belgiantrain.be) and printed out.
Then take the train to Brussels, to the Bruxelles-Luxembourg stop. The Intercity train departs from the same stop to Namur every half-hour or an hour. The train takes 43-51 minutes to reach your destination, and you need to pay 6€ — 10€for tickets.
What to see in Brussels on your own
By taxi
Perhaps the most convenient way to go is by taxi, and directly from the airport. If you order a transfer, the driver can stop at the hotel or meet you with a sign at the airport. The transfer service costs 120€ – 160€.
On a note! Just 39 km from Namur, Charleroi is a city worth visiting for an experienced tourist. Find out what makes it special on this page.
By car
Namur (Belgium) can be reached independently by car. The journey between these cities will take 5 liters of gasoline, which will cost 6€ – 10€.
