POSTCARDS FROM DINANT
One of the best parts of living in Belgium is that it’s easy (and affordable) to visit different cities and explore what this pretty little country has to offer. Having already talked about a fair share of Flemish towns here on the blog, like Bruges, Ghent and Leuven, I thought I had to also take you to a photo trip to Dinant in Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium.
If I had to sum up Dinant in a few words, they would be ”charming, picturesque and small”. You can probably see from the pictures why I think it’s a quite lovely place to visit in Belgium but what you probably don’t realise is that you can actually walk around the main town in an hour or so. This makes Dinant ideal for a relaxing day trip or as stop on your way to explore the Ardennes. Another word I wouldn’t necessarily use to describe Dinant is hip, so don’t expect any trendy spots (but you can always drive to this beautiful restaurant). That’s absolutely fine with me as it only adds to the charm of the city.
As you walk around the river Meuse, you can’t help but notice the imposing Citadel and iconic Notre Dame Cathedral with its bronze dome. The Citadel is built on a cliff 100 meters high and is a former military fortress. You can actually get there by cable car or (if you are fit and brave enough) get up the 408 stairs that are cut into the hillside. There is a small museum there but the best bit is the magnificent view over the city. As for the Cathedral, it’s free to enter and boasts one of the largest stained glasses in Europe.
Dinant is also the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, who invented the saxophone. The city is very proud of its legacy, hence the large saxophones dotted around the city (one for each EU Member State) and lots of musical events held here. Last but not least, if you’re looking to sample something local, make sure to try a couque de Dinant (be aware though, these sweet biscuits notoriously hard!) and the Flamiche Dinantaise (which is similar to the French quiche but made with a special low-fat cheese called as Boulette de Romedenne).
