Dinant is a town in Belgium, set along the banks of the Meuse River in the south of the country. Its setting is the first thing most visitors notice: the houses and church spires cluster at the foot of a steep rock face, and the river bends slowly past them.
What to see
- The citadel, perched on the clifftop above the town, is the place most visitors aim for first. The climb gives wide views over the Meuse and the rooftops below.
- The saxophone sculptures add a splash of colour to the streets. Dinant is known as the birthplace of the saxophone, and the town honours that link with its brightly painted figures.
- Traditional copper crafts are part of the local identity, and the town's workshops and shops are a good place to see the work and perhaps buy a piece.
The visit
Dinant suits a relaxed day or a short stay. You can walk the riverside, cross to the opposite bank for different views of the cliffs, and then take your time on the climb up to the citadel. The town is compact, so getting between the river, the old streets and the heights is simple on foot.
Its appeal lies in the combination of a dramatic natural setting, a fortress above, and the playful saxophone art and copper work below. If you are touring the Meuse valley or the Ardennes region of southern Belgium, Dinant makes a natural stop, with the river and the surrounding countryside close at hand.
