Namur
Why will you fall in love with Namur? Its historic quarters, the cafés, the quirky museums, the river cruises or the view from the fortress?
Forests, valleys and hills: the landscape of Wallonia (in French Wallonie) is varied, but the common thread is always lush greenery. Once the most industrialised region of Belgium, Wallonia has skilfully leveraged its natural heritage and historical assets as the national economy has shifted towards services.
This French-speaking region is an ideal destination for a holiday in Belgium, easily accessible via the Charleroi airport, served by numerous budget flights from across Europe, and the high-speed train station in Liège.
Whilst it’s straightforward to travel between major towns using public transport, driving up and down the gentle hills and along forest-lined roads, with charming medieval villages appearing around every corner, is the most effective way to fall head over heels for Wallonia.
Namur, Liège, Arlon, Bastogne, Dinant, Waterloo, Chimay… with so many splendid places to visit, planning your Wallonian itinerary won’t be easy. Our mini-guide to Wallonia will help you organise your travels through the region.
Wallonia corresponds to the southern part of Belgium; it covers 55% of Belgium’s surface area and is inhabited by a third of the population. Its main rivers are the Meuse and Sambre, which join into a single watercourse at Namur.
Wallonia borders the Belgian region of Flanders and the Netherlands to the north, France to the south and west, and Germany and Luxembourg to the east. It has no coastline.
The region is divided administratively into five provinces: Namur, Liège, Walloon Brabant, Hainaut and Luxembourg.
The Namur province is home to the region’s capital, a city rich in history and art, located at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers and dominated by an impressive fortress.
This romantic city alone would justify a holiday in the region, but once you arrive, you’ll undoubtedly want to explore the surrounding area, with valleys carved by numerous waterways, each with its own distinct character.
Beautifully explored by car or bike, Namur province is crossed by picturesque forest-lined roads.
The main towns in the province are, besides Namur, Rochefort, Cerfontaine, Ciney, Dinant, Han-sur-Lesse and Couvin.
When you arrive at Liège by train, stepping out of the station might feel like being transported into the future: the ultra-modern station, which connects the provincial capital to Belgium’s most important destinations and to Paris, was designed by internationally renowned architect Santiago Calatrava.
A brief stroll through Liège’s city centre, however, will reveal numerous traces of its thousand-year history, whilst a single day won’t be enough to explore all its historical and cultural attractions.
An ideal holiday in Liège province then continues into the rolling countryside of Herve, the Hautes Fagnes nature reserve and the Ourthe and Amblève valleys, where waterways have carved spectacular gorges.
The most important towns in Liège province are, besides the provincial capital, Verviers, Eupen, Herve, Huy, Malmedy, Spa and Stavelot.
Leave Brussels behind and venture into Walloon Brabant province, where European history was rewritten with Napoleon’s famous defeat at Waterloo.
War museums, battlefields and memorials are the province’s most famous attractions, but Walloon Brabant has much more to offer: gently rolling countryside, castles, churches and small chapels.
The most important towns in Walloon Brabant province are Waterloo, Jodoigne, Nivelles and Villers-la-Ville.
Of all Wallonia’s provinces, Hainaut is the easiest to reach because Charleroi airport is located here.
The Hainaut province is also the most interesting for those who love traditions and folklore. Don’t miss the Binche carnival, but watch out for the oranges thrown by the gilles! Other events where the past comes alive with emotion and passion include the Ducasse d’Ath and the festivities of Lessines.
Historical and cultural attractions instead highlight two elements that have shaped this region: deep religious devotion and strong industrialisation. Discover them by visiting monasteries and abbeys, including Chimay, famous for its excellent Trappist beer, and mining sites.
The most important towns in Hainaut province are Charleroi, Chimay, Mons, La Louvière, Ath, Binche, Comines, Thuin and Tournai.
Belgian Luxembourg is the southernmost province of Wallonia, not to be confused with the independent state with which it borders to the east. Rich in forests and valleys, it’s the perfect zone for those seeking a relaxing countryside holiday.
The main towns in Luxembourg province are Arlon, Bastogne, Orval, La Roche, Vielsalm, Bouillon, Durbuy, Houffalize, Marche-en-Famenne and Saint-Hubert.
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