Dinant is a city in southeastern Belgium, in the Walloon Region, in the province of Namur, the administrative seat of the Dinant district. On January 1, 2024, it had 13,328 inhabitants. It is located on the Meuse River, near its gorge through the Ardennes, on the border with France. Local limestone varieties are mined in the area. It was a member of the Hanseatic League.
- Dinant Citadel. The citadel is one of the most beautiful monuments in the entire city. It rises on one of the hills and dominates the town. There is an entrance fee to the citadel, but its courtyard offers amazing panoramic views. This building is certainly worth your attention.
- Notre Dame de Dinant. You may associate the Notre Dame Cathedral only with a French monument. However, it turns out that such a cathedral was also built in Dinant! In a way, it is a faithful reflection of the original. This Catholic church is distinguished by beautiful portals and a somewhat austere architectural form, in which, however, an eloquent charm is hidden.
- Charles de Gaulle Bridge. Charles de Gaulle is a historical figure who may first be associated with the Paris airport. Nevertheless, in Dinant there is a bridge named after him, which connects both parts of the town. From the bridge there are also picturesque views of the left and right banks of the city.
- Walzin Castle. Walzin Castle is a great example of medieval architecture. It looks like it was carved out of the rock above the bend of the river. The castle is located about 10 minutes by car from the city center.
- Grotte de Dinant. On the outskirts of the city is also the Grotte de Dinant. It is a picturesque cave – a completely natural creation, where you can admire various rock formations. The passage of the cave itself always takes place in the presence of a guide, so remember to book in advance.
- Weather throughout the year. Dinant is a town located in the southern part of Belgium. It has a temperate climate, which means that winters are quite harsh, while summers can be extremely hot. Of course, the best time to visit Dinant is during the summer season. This is when you can expect temperatures of 25-27 degrees Celsius. There is practically no rainfall during the summer season. Spring in the city is also quite warm, with temperatures remaining at 18-21 degrees Celsius. If you are not afraid of heavy rainfall, you can also visit Dinant in autumn. Although temperatures drop to 13-15 degrees Celsius, and rainfall is quite heavy, the town has its own special charm in autumn. Winter can be quite harsh, with temperatures dropping to -9 degrees Celsius.
- Where to eat? Belgian cuisine is certainly not one of the most well-known in Europe. At the same time, there is no person who would not know the famous Belgian fries. However, you should know that Belgium is also famous for a number of other dishes, as well as for its excellent local beer. Dinant is a small town, but it has a well-developed gastronomic base. So if you are looking for one of the best places for lunch or a late afternoon tea, then you can go to:
- *Le Coin Des Gourmets – this is one of the most prestigious restaurants in Dinant. It specializes in Belgian and French cuisine. Due to the exceptional reputation of this restaurant, you should expect slightly higher prices there.
- *Ostaria la Piave – this is a traditional Belgian restaurant. You can eat there not only a delicious lunch, but also breakfast and dinner. This restaurant also serves local beer. The prices are quite affordable for tourists.
- *Le Wiertz Restaurant – This is also one of the traditional restaurants in Dinant. It specializes in regional cuisine, but that doesn’t mean you won’t try French or German dishes there. Most tourists agree that the prices in the restaurant are quite “friendly.
