Date: 21st September 2022
Travelled: 60 kms from Dinant to Namur
Visited: Namur
Stayed: Namur Aire, free, N50.46780, E04.85020ย ย
Budget: 119 days @ โฌ101 per day
We wake to a heavy mist of fog in Dinant. Our plan for this morning was to take the gondola to the Citadel for some photos and then do a local river cruise. But itโs not looking good.
The weather app tells us the fog will clear by 11am. So we have breakfast and another coffee 11am passes and thereโs little improvement so we ready the Hymer once again and drive down the hill, then turn North following the River Meuse to Namur.
Namur, Wallonia, Belgium
We find the aire easily enough, itโs behind a large indoor sporting complex (but no pool to Pamโs disappointment). There are only 6 spots, but we find ourselves with the choice of two. Why are we visiting Namur apart from the facts itโs on our way. Our guide book does not ring its praises but it does have a free aire. Once the Hymerโs settled we walk along the River Sambre toward the Citadel.
The Citadel overlooks the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre Rivers, which one would suppose is a strategic position for a fortress. We purchase our tickets โฌ5 pp (seniors) and take the gondola to the top.
As our guide book suggested other than some stone walls and parapets nothing of the citadels fortress remains. These days itโs mostly parkland with some viewing points a couple of cafes and a museum titled the History of Namur. As it was predominately in French there was little point paying extra to look around in there.
So we walk the parapets take some photos, then take the gondola back down.
As we walk into the centrum where looking for somewhere for lunch when we stumble across a Le Casa boasting the flavours of Africa. The menu has a selection of tapas style plates at reasonable prices. So we give it a go, walking away very satisfied.
So we wander the centrum for a while (pictured above) before going in search of the Cathรฉdrale Saint-Aubain (pictured below).
From the outside itโs not the most impressive church we have visited. In fact its dirty grey exterior is made look even worse by the hundreds of cars parked around it. Only completed in1767, its interior is described as neoclassical Italian.
Itโs true Namur is not the most appealing tourist city in Belgium but weโve enjoyed our walk, our lunch and our free overnight. Unfortunately I must add I have never seen so many garbage and litter bins full and overflowing in all our travels (mind you Italy is pretty bad) which is not a good look.
We make our way back to the Hymer in time for drinks. The sportโs complex next door is noisy for a couple of hours then they all go home and itโs another quiet evening.
Michael + Pam
