Namur Overview

Namur, capital of Wallonie (pop. 110,000), is the last sizable outpost before the wilderness of the Ardennes and a gateway for hiking, biking, caving, and kayaking in Belgium’s mountainous regions. Houses atop the rolling hills and picturesque streets make this an ideal, moderately tourist-free getaway. In September, Namur hosts a multicultural crowd at the International French Language Film Festival (☎081 24 12 36; www.fiff.be). The town’s foreboding citadel (☎081 65 45 00; www.citadelle.namur.be) remained an active Belgian military base until 1978. To get there take bus #3 (1 per hr., dir.: Citadel). The free Storming the Citadel!, at the tourist office, lists five historical walking tours (1-1½hr.). Trails thread through the surrounding Parc de Champeau.

Flocks of geese dally near the homey Auberge Félicien Rops (HI) , 8 av. Félicien Rops. Take bus #4, 17, 30 or 31 from the train station. (☎081 22 36 88; www.laj.be. Breakfast and linens included. Kitchen. Laundry €6.50. Free Internet. Reception 8am-11pm. Lockout 10am-4pm. Dorms €18-20.50; singles €34; doubles €50. €3 HI discount. MC/V.) To camp at Les Trieux , 99 r. des Tris, 6km away, take bus #6. (☎081 44 55 83; www.campinglestrieux.be. Open Apr.-Oct. €3.50 per person, €4-6 per tent. Electricity €2.)

Trains link Namur to Brussels (1hr., 2 per hr., €7.70) and Dinant (30min., 1 per hr., €4.10). The tourist office is on the Sq. de l’Europe Unie; turn left out of the train station onto r. de la Gare. (☎24 64 49; www.namurtourisme.be. Open daily 9:30am-6pm.) Rent bikes at La Maison des Cyclistes, 2B pl. de la Station. (☎081 81 38 48. Open M-W and F 10am-1pm and 2-4pm. €4 per hr., €9 per day.)