Explore the beautiful Belgian city of Dinant

A small but beautiful place to visit on any European road trip, Dinant is the home of the saxophone, a citadel and one of Belgium’s tastiest beers. 

What is Dinant famous for?

One of the undisputed gems of the Ardennes, Dinant is famous for its magnificent setting on the Meuse river. What catches the eye immediately is the 100 metre high rock face, crowned by a citadel, the distinctive bulbed dome of the huge Gothic church, with a spire taller than the cliffs, and the pastel-coloured bars and restaurants that line the riverbank. The scene is particularly beautiful as the sun begins to set, the lights come on along the river, and the steepling cliffs are illuminated. 

Belgium is well known for its beautiful cities like Bruges and Ghent, with well preserved historic sections, but Dinant is something altogether different – a picture-perfect product of spectacular geography that continues to inspire travellers. 

Where is Dinant?

Dinant is in Wallonia, the southern, French-speaking region of Belgium, around 62 miles from Brussels. 

Things to do and see in Dinant

Take the cable car up to the citadel 

View the city from the Citadel 

There has been a citadel on the rock above Dinant since the 11th century. It helped defend the city during the Middle Ages, with a commanding view of the Upper Meuse valley. Today the Citadel is a major attraction, taking visitors on an immersive tour of the fortress and the history of Dinant. An interactive tablet is included in the entry price, bringing the rooms and exhibitions even more alive, especially for children. 

Tickets to the Citadel, including the cable car to the top, can be bought on the day, costing £13 for adults and £11 for children, although they are also available in advance online during the high summer season. The Citadel is open from 10am to 6pm from April to September, and 10am to 4.30pm from October to March. 

Enjoy a sax break in the place where the saxophone was invented 

Get your selfie with Adolphe Sax, Dinant’s most famous son (Image credit: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

If you didn’t know, you might find it strange to see all the coloured saxophones dotted around Dinant. That’s because this is the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, who invented the instrument, along with several other wind instruments, in the 19th century. Don’t be surprised to hear saxophonists playing around the city, and there are numerous music events and festivals in Dinant, such as the Dinant Jazz Festival, held every July at nearby Leffe Abbey.

Make sure you visit Maison de Monsieur Sax, a museum dedicated to Adolphe Sax in the very location where he was born. It’s a quirky, fun celebration of the musical instrument and its inventor, from the saxophone shaped floor to the bench outside where you can grab a picture next to a statue of Adolphe Sax. The museum is free to enter, on – where else? – Rue Sax.

Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame

Dinant’s Church of Our Lady is even taller than the citadel! 

The Catholic church on the banks of the Meuse, with its majestic onion dome, is such a distinctive feature of Dinant that most people find time to step inside as well as photograph it. Admission is free, and more than worth the visit. The building dates from the 13th and 14th century, and is designed in the Gothic style. The three naves are stunning, as are the stained glass windows and many of the statues, with one featuring a bishop lovingly clutching this very church in his hands. Admission to the church is free.

River cruises on the Meuse 

You’ve climbed the Citadel. You’ve seen the church. You’ve crossed the bridge. To complete your Dinant experience, only a trip on the river Meuse, so central to the city’s sublime setting, will do. There are plenty of different cruise companies, offering a range of river tours, including 45-minute cruises of the Dinant valley to the village of Anseremme and back, and longer, 2-hour journeys down the Meuse as far as the Château de Freÿr and the wilder, more remote sections of the river. Alternatively, why not take control of your own electric boat? Easy to operate, with room for 7 passengers, these can be hired from the ‘Dinant Evasion’ pontoon near the Charles de Gaulle bridge.  

Taste a legendary beer at Maison Leffe

Enjoy the view and a glass of Leffe beer 

For Belgian beer lovers, Dinant is a place of pilgrimage. Leffe beer was first brewed in Notre Dame de Leffe Abbey, on the outskirts of Dinant, in 1240, and it remains one of the most popular Belgian beers around the world. Although no longer brewed locally, Leffe’s history is celebrated at the ‘Maison Leffe’ museum in Dinant. Learn more about the traditional brewing process, which was in the hands of Trappist monks for centuries, and taste some of the beers at the end. The museum is housed in a former convent, but you can walk to the 12th century abbey and visit its church, although the abbey is still a working monastery and not open to the public. Visiting Dinant is on the route of many Belgian beer tours, with other notable nearby breweries including Bouillon and Chimay. 

Planning your trip to Dinant

Squeeze between the needles of Rocher Bayard as you drive into Dinant

Driving to Dinant from Calais

It’s a drive of around 3 hours 20 minutes to Dinant from the LeShuttle terminal at Calais. From Calais take the A16 towards Dunkirk, and then the A25 for Lille. In Belgium you’ll be driving mainly on the E42/A15 motorway, towards Mons, Charleroi and Namur. 

Nothing quite prepares you for your final approach into Dinant. The road snakes between two tall needles of rock, the Rocher Bayard. At first glance you wonder if it’s going to be too tight a squeeze, like these motorhomers, but you’ll be fine! 

Can you do a day trip to Dinant from Brussels?

Yes, it’s a drive of around 1 hour 30 minutes from the Belgian capital city to Dinant, so you can easily do a day trip from Brussels. You take the E411/A4 motorway. For more tips and advice, including what to keep in your vehicle and rules of the road, check out our guide to driving in Belgium.

Visit this historic Belgian city with LeShuttle 

If you’re thinking of a Belgian road trip, put Dinant on the ‘must stop’ list. It’s just a 35-minute crossing from Folkestone to Calais with LeShuttle.