Namur: Wallonia’s attractive capital

Situated deep at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers, the Capital of Wallonia, Namur, is a pleasant, small city with a history that can be traced back to the time of the Celts. However, its importance grew from the 17th century.

Today, its centre is contained by the confluence and provides an interesting walk among a variety of styles of architecture extending from the Middle Ages to the present day.

The Programme

10:00:   Our morning begins with coffee or tea in the Brasserie de la Confluence which offers spectacular views across both banks of the Meuse and the Sambre rivers.

10:30:  Our guides will meet us there and show us a different side of the city in a walking tour of Namur’s exhibition of Street Art. The frescoes and graffiti that decorate the facades of certain buildings are part of a project of the town to bring art to all and to invite the inhabitants to participate.

We will visit the city as we walk around seeing the works that have been produced by well-known artists, groups and associations as well as anonymous authors all of whom give us their interpretation of the world today.

12:30:  Our guides leave us at the Hôtel des Taneurs, the old tannery that dates back to the 16th century in parts, where we have lunch. Our lunch consists of two courses: Terrine of Norwegian salmon with fresh herbs and sour cream, followed by Supreme of Guinea fowl Ardenne-style (Paris mushrooms, small onions and brown sauce) .  One glass of wine, beer or a soft drink and one coffee or tea are included in the price.

14:30:   After lunch at Les Tanneurs, we leave for the Hôtel des Bateliers.

14:45:  Guided visit of the Museum of Decorative Arts, also known as the House of the Bateliers, after the family that lived there in the 18th century. It is a delightful mansion, with an unusual but majestic staircase and well-preserved, and most interesting interior. The charming, walled garden invites one to sit in one of the well-shaded, corners on a hot summer’s day well away from the noise and bustle outside.

16:45:   Weather permitting there will be a chance to have a farewell drink for those that wish, in one of the pleasant, shady squares on the way back to our means of transport (not included in the price of the day).

Addresses of the day

• La Confluence restaurant, Rue du Grognon, 1, Namur
• Restaurant Les Tanneurs, Rue des Tanneries 13, Namur
• Musée des Arts Decoratifs & Musée Archéologique, Hôtel des Bateliers, Rue Joseph Saintraint 3, Namur

How to get there?

– By car: take the E411 south of Brussels, direction Namur & Luxembourg. Exit the E411 at No. 14   and take the N80/N90/N92 along the Meuse in the direction ‘Namur Centre’ for about 2km. Park in either Parking Confluence, rue du Grognon 2, 5000 Namur beneath the Restaurant Confluence, where we meet, or in the Parking Belfroi, Place d’Armes, 5000 Namur and walk down the Avenenue Fernand Golenvaux and across the Sambre to the Confluence.

– By public transport: Take the train to Namur station and either walk through the town to the Restaurant Confluence (via Rue Godfroid, Rue de Bruxelles, Rue de l’Ange, the Rue du Pont and the Pont de Namur to the Rue du Grignon and the Restaurant Confluence. This will take you 25 tp 30 minutes as long as you don’t stop to window-shop en route!

There is a bus from the station that circles round the town but it will take at least 30 minutes to get to the Confluence and it only operates about twice an hour.