Right in the center of Namur, on Place d’Armes, stands a sculpture of snails accompanied by Djoseph and Francwès, two folk characters created by Jean Legrand. The snails represent the slowness for which the people of Namur are renowned. But they’re not slow, they just take the time to live, to live well, and Namur is the perfect city for that. So come and enjoy this gentle way of life and discover all that the political capital of Wallonia has to offer!
1. Visit the Citadelle of Namur
A symbol of the city of Namur, the Citadelle stands on a hill at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers, overlooking the city. Once one of Europe’s most important strongholds, it bears witness to over a thousand years of history. Its vast network of underground passages earned Napoleon the nickname “The Termite Mound of Europe”. Today, visitors can explore 500 meters of restored galleries.
It is divided into three parts: the Donjon, the Médiane and the Terra Nova (the upper part) and rises to 190 m above sea level. You can come here to stroll through the green spaces, admire the view or take a guided tour. A tourist train allows you to enjoy the different viewpoints. A new cable car will link Place Maurice Servais to the Citadelle esplanade in 2021.
2. Stroll through old Namur
Take a stroll through the pedestrian streets of Old Namur. You’ll come across the famous Place d’Armes, of course, but you can also explore Place de l’Ange or Place du Marché aux Légumes. As you turn a corner, you’ll be able to admire the Parliament of Wallonia, the Belfry and Saint-Aubin Cathedral.
Don’t hesitate to go bargain hunting in one of the many antique shops or stop off at the Ratin-tôt, Namur’s oldest café.
3. Take part in Wallonia’s festivals
Every third Sunday in September, the Belgian revolution of 1830 is commemorated with the five-day Fêtes de la Wallonie. Namur is abuzz with festivities: stilt-walking, parades, dances, concerts, mass in Walloon… Tourists and Namurians mingle with conviviality and good humor to share a bit of Walloon culture in a festive way.
Now’s your chance to try the famous “peket”, a juniper drink flavored with a wide variety of tastes: apple, strawberry, lemon, but also chewing gum or cactus. Peket means “spicy” in old Walloon. You’ve been warned…
4. Visit the Rops Museum
Located in old Namur, it retraces the life of Félicien Rops, a native of Namur. A 19th-century artist, Rops was a draughtsman, engraver, painter and illustrator. An unclassifiable, impertinent and provocative artist, his work is varied and freely questions society. One of his mottos was “ Rops suis, vertueux ne puis, hypocrite ne daigne “.
The permanent exhibition offers a good overview of his work: social satire, caricatures, eroticism, the Baudelairian spirit… Temporary exhibitions often provide a complementary view of his work.
5. Visit the Théâtre Royal de Namur
Located on the site of a former convent, the Théâtre Royal de Namur is a 19th-century Italian-style theater. Its magnificent sandstone façade is listed as part of Wallonia’s public civil heritage. On the second level, you can admire the statues of Comédie and Musique. The auditorium seats 800. A splendid chandelier highlights the immense dome, and a fresco by the painter Garouste has adorned the ceiling of the theater’s Foyer since 1999.