Dinant is a tiny little town in the province of Namur. It was only by chance that I came to know of Dinant when I visited Mini Europe and saw a miniature model of Dinant Citadel and Collegiale. I stayed in Dinant for a weekend and my day began with the mighty Citadel followed by the Notre Dame Collegiale and then we began to stroll around the city.
Ofcourse there are saxaphones everywhere in the town, it being the birthplace of the founder of Saxophone. There are 2 things to do here associated with Saxaphone. One is getting pictures with the n number of saxaphones in the city, but the main location is the Charles de Gaulle Bridge which has installation art of 12 colorful saxaphones denoting 12 different countries of the European Union. The other European countries have their saxaphones in other places including near the visitors' centre. A map of all these locations is available as a map at the visitors' centre and its aptly named 'sax and the city'!!!
The 2nd place associated with Saxaphone is the La Maison de Monsieur Sax. This is not really a museum. Its more like a small (smaller than Maison Leffe) digital interactive centre, which talks about the life and musical journey of Adolphe Sax, the founder of Sax as well as a detailed explanation about the instrument itself!
To Get There:
To Dinant: Refer to my earlier post
On Google Maps: Charles de Gaulle Bridge, La Maison de Monsieur Sax, Mosan - the Medieval Heritage House, Castle of Crevecoeur, Pâtisserie Couques de Dinant V. Collard 1774
All sites are walkable from Dinant Railway Station, city centre and each other.
On Google Maps: Charles de Gaulle Bridge, La Maison de Monsieur Sax, Mosan - the Medieval Heritage House, Castle of Crevecoeur, Pâtisserie Couques de Dinant V. Collard 1774
All sites are walkable from Dinant Railway Station, city centre and each other.
To Stay:
Hotels and B&Bs at all price points are available in nearest city Namur.
There are a few hotels in Dinant. Here’s my review of La Mervelliuse Resort where I stayed.
There are a few hotels in Dinant. Here’s my review of La Mervelliuse Resort where I stayed.
Entry Tickets & Timings:
Charles de Gaulle Bridge, Castle of Crevecoeur - Free; Open 24 x 7
La Maison de Monsieur Sax: Free; All days 9:00AM - 7:00PM
Mosan - the Medieval Heritage House: €4 (free with Museumpassmusees); Tue-Sun: 10:00AM to 6:00PM (closes at 5:00PM in winters)
Pâtisserie Couques de Dinant V. Collard 1774: Prices of Couques begins at €3; Tue-Fri: 10:30AM - 6:30PM
My complete Dinant travelogue: Dinant Citadel, Notre Dame Collégiale, Maison Leffe, Grotte Merveilleuse, Charles de Gaulle Bridge, La Maison de Monsieur Sax, Mosan - the Medieval Heritage House, Castle of Crevecoeur, Pâtisserie Couques de Dinant V. Collard 1774
Charles de Gaulle Bridge, Castle of Crevecoeur - Free; Open 24 x 7
La Maison de Monsieur Sax: Free; All days 9:00AM - 7:00PM
Mosan - the Medieval Heritage House: €4 (free with Museumpassmusees); Tue-Sun: 10:00AM to 6:00PM (closes at 5:00PM in winters)
Pâtisserie Couques de Dinant V. Collard 1774: Prices of Couques begins at €3; Tue-Fri: 10:30AM - 6:30PM
My complete Dinant travelogue: Dinant Citadel, Notre Dame Collégiale, Maison Leffe, Grotte Merveilleuse, Charles de Gaulle Bridge, La Maison de Monsieur Sax, Mosan - the Medieval Heritage House, Castle of Crevecoeur, Pâtisserie Couques de Dinant V. Collard 1774
P.S: I was invited by Wallonia Tourism to experience the city for review purposes, however the opinions are my own and this post does not to advertise the product/service.
Belgium is one of the countries that I haven't visited yet but after reading your post, I realized that I am missing a lot. It would be wonderful to experience the beautiful place with a very rich culture and arts.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to Belgium unfortunately. When I go, this makes a good guide to save for later. I particularly like the museums you visited!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous place. I love hearing trivia like it being the birthplace of the founder of Saxophone! Can't believe it was a Belgian invention! Glad you didn't go to the castl during hunting season, although you'd think thats one of the the sites travellers would love to go. And so hilarious about that cookie! And not like it can melt in your mouth either because of the honey. Was it good though?
ReplyDeleteI haven't visited Belgium yet though I've read several blog posts about it. However, I've never heard the name of this city Dinant. Interesting to know that it is the hometown of the founder of the saxophone, and I can imagine how cool it would be to see such lovely installations of the saxophone around the town. The Medieval Heritage House looks like a cool place to visit!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous place. I heard about it in the past and I even thought of visiting but I didn't know it's the birthplace of the saxophone! Perhaps I'll stop by when I visit Belgium this spring. I'm so glad I came across this article!
ReplyDeleteA castle from 1320?! It is a shame it is now in ruins. I am so intrigued by medieval history and castles. We dont have any architecture that old here in the US.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of Dinant before and had no idea it’s the birthplace of the saxophone! I grew up around music and still love it to this day, so I would totally make a trip out there just to learn more about how the saxophone was born. “Sax and the City” gave me a good chuckle!
ReplyDeleteDinant sounds like a great town and it would be great to visit the birthplace of the saxophone! Also, couques are appealing. I love any type of cookie, even if they're near impossible to eat.
ReplyDeleteI really love Belgium but haven't visited Dinant yet, I'll keep it in mind for my next trip.
ReplyDeleteThat rabbit-shaped cookie look adorable. Makes me wonder how to eat the hardest cookie they have?! I need a hot chocolate drink or coffee to dip that cookie :D
ReplyDeleteA great hidden gem in Wallonia! I love the panoramic photo by the river showing the charming line of buildings.They look like they have excellent confectionery too!
ReplyDeleteWow really cool writeup, I had never heard of the Couques de Dinant but it sounds like one tough cookie.
ReplyDeletewow...loved it
ReplyDeleteDinant seems like a really beautiful little town. The place looks quite charming and there’s quite a bit of interesting history to this place with the birth of Saxophone there.
ReplyDeleteWow, I had no idea that Belgium was the birthplace of the saxophone. I love that the shops in Dinant are punny and have a play on 'Sax and the City.' That's really clever! I love the unique museums that you showcased in this article as well. The medieval museum looks like an interesting spot.
ReplyDeleteNever knew Belgium was where saxophone came from! We've been planning to visit Belgium and to be honest never heard of Dinant before. Looks like we have to give it another round of shortlisting places lest we miss such amazing places in our trip!
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