Namur: The 10 most beautiful sights

Namur is located at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers in Wallonia, about 65 kilometers southeast of the Belgian capital, Brussels. Along with Flanders and the capital, Brussels, Wallonia is one of three regions in Belgium . Around 115,000 people live in the city, which is a so-called "Transition Town." This means that Namur is committed to intelligent and sustainable urban development. We'll tell you which attractions you absolutely shouldn't miss during your visit to Namur.

Namur's top attraction even captivated Napoleon. He described the citadel, which towers over the city, as the "termite mound of Europe." The citadel sits on a rock above the old town, 200 meters above Namur. With approximately 80 hectares of defenses, castles, and walkways, it is one of the largest fortifications in all of Europe.

Top attraction in Namur: the citadel, which sits on a rock above the old town.

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The modern visitor center is located in the former fort "Terra Nova." It focuses on 2,000 years of European urban and military history. Guided tours of the underground facilities are also available: 450 meters have been restored and equipped with light and sound displays and 3D animations. A fascinating highlight: The underground passages house the "Guy Delforge" perfumery. The fragrances are created in the citadel, and visitors can learn all about the different stages of perfume production.

Those who don't want to climb the citadel on foot can take the shuttle bus or the cable car. A cable car once ran up the mountain until the 1990s, but then it was discontinued. The new "Téléphérique de la Citadelle de Namur" opened in 2021 and has since become a new tourist attraction. The view over the city from above is breathtaking.

The new cable car in Namur, which goes up to the citadel, will not open until 2021.

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The cable car spans the Sambre from Place Maurice Servais in the historic city center, climbs to the top of the citadel's ramparts, and lands gently on the esplanade 650 meters further on, climbing 103 meters in a journey of just four minutes.

Another landmark of the city is the market square in the heart of Namur. Formerly called the Grand Place, it was the site of public executions until the First World War, and the town hall also dominated the square. However, it was destroyed during the First World War and later rebuilt on Rue de Fer.

Meeting point: The heart of Namur is the Place d'Armes.

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Today, the square is called Place d'Armes (Parade Square) and is surrounded by cafés, restaurants, and important buildings such as the former stock exchange, now the Palais des Congrès, and the Convention Center, where official receptions and conferences take place. A charming monument is the bronze statue of Djoseph èt Françwès (Joe and Frank). The two are the Belgian version of Laurel and Hardy. They pose with snails on ties—a loving nod to the local culture and the serenity of the people of Namur.

The bustling heart of Namur lies at the Place du Marché aux Légumes, where countless bars and restaurants line the streets. One of them holds a proud record: The "Ratin-Tout" is the oldest café in Namur, serving guests since its opening in 1616.

There's always something going on at the Place du Marché aux Légumes. In the evenings, aperitifs are served, as well as beer, of course. If you want to try something special, order a Trappist beer. The "Bière Trappiste" designation of origin has strict criteria. The beer is produced in the monastery under the supervision of Trappist monks, and the proceeds benefit social projects. There are only ten Trappist breweries, five of which are in Belgium.

Located right in the old town is the Saint-Loup Church, considered one of the most beautiful Baroque buildings in all of Belgium. The church was designed by Brother Huyssens and built between 1621 and 1645. His goal was to incorporate a local architectural style and thereby make the church more accessible to the public.

The Saint-Loup Church in Namur is considered one of the most beautiful Baroque buildings in Belgium.

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Brother Huyssens opted for an interior decor of red and black marble and a sandstone vault with high reliefs, but avoided excessive pomp. The main altar is also made of marble, and the confessionals and neo-Baroque pulpit are made of oak.

A museum was dedicated to a famous resident of the city: Félicien Rops was a Belgian artist, graphic artist and illustrator of symbolism. He was a co-founder of the “Société des Beaux Arts” in Brussels in 1868 and was one of the pioneers of Belgian realism.

The "Musée Félicien Rops" in a former mansion in the old town is all about Rops' work - from his beginnings characterized by social satire and caricatures to his typical themes of women, eroticism, death, literature and travel, with which he fought against the moral rigidity of the bourgeoisie.

The Belfry of Namur (Tour Saint-Jacques) tells a great story. A belfry is a tall, slender bell tower, particularly typical of Flemish cities. At over 20 meters high, the Belfry of Namur is a remarkable example of 14th-century military architecture.

The Belfry of Namur has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.

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Construction of the round limestone tower, originally called "St. James's Tower," began in 1388. At that time, it was part of the city wall. It was only converted into a bell tower in 1746, after the Siege of Namur and the destruction of the church. The belfry was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

A touch of Italy wafts through Namur as soon as you stand in front of the Baroque Cathedral of Saint Aubain. No wonder: The Italian architect Gaetino Pizzoni designed the rust-red church based on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The extraordinary building was built between 1751 and 1767 and is a blend of neoclassical and baroque architectural styles.

Impressive: the St. Aubain Cathedral in Namur with its mixture of neoclassical and baroque architectural styles.

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Unlike traditional Christian churches, which are oriented east to west, St. Aubin's Cathedral is oriented west to east, forming a Latin cross at its base. The rounded facade features 20 Corinthian columns and five statues. The interior is equally impressive, with a total length of 78 meters and a height of 24 meters across the nave, transept, and choir. Several works of art can be seen throughout the cathedral, including paintings by Anton van Dyck, Jacob Jordaens, and Jacques Nicolaï.

Housed in a listed 18th-century patrician house, the Old Town is all about local art. The "TreM.a," the Museum of Ancient Arts, has been showcasing the region's works of art from bygone eras since 1964, particularly medieval goldsmith work and Renaissance artwork.

Exceptional features include the world's largest collection of works by Henri Blès, a famous Flemish Renaissance landscape painter, the Coin Collection, the Print Collection, and numerous sculptures and landscape paintings. The museum also houses the Treasure of Oignies, one of the Seven Wonders of Belgium.

At the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers, Namur reveals its modern face. Here stands the striking glass building of "Le NID" (Namur Intelligente et Durable), accessible via a circular path. From here, you have a magnificent view of the L'Enjambée pedestrian bridge and the citadel.

Inside is an exhibition on Namur's urban development. It explores the city's origins, current transformations, and the future. There are three rooms with short videos, video mapping, interactive tables, virtual reality, and 3D. A focus is placed on sustainable development, for example, through greening the city, smarter traffic management, and more spaces for citizens to interact.

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