Finding an old postcard of Dinant - La Roche a Bayard in my late uncle's collection was an inspiration to see the road through the vertical rocks beside the river Meuse, south of the town. Dinant is 27 km south of Namur and 87 km south of Brussels.
Staying in Namur made a visit there simple as there are usually two direct trains an hour from there to Dinant. We decided on a Saturday for the visit as two interesting bars there don't open until late afternoon on weekdays. However, the downside was finding the small town rather busy with fellow tourists on Saturday 1 February 2025.
From seats on the right hand side of train, on a very misty morning, there were mainly views across the river Meuse during the half hour journey. The train passes several barrages, with lock systems for the large barges that use the river. Shortly before arriving in Dinant, the train crosses a bridge to the west bank of the river and passes the
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Leffe, above the other bank. The Abbey's image is featured on bottles of Leffe beer.
After leaving the train, one can cross the river by the Charles de Gaulle bridge to reach the town with it's
citadel above. that can be accessed by climbing 408 steps or taking the telepherique / cable car. The bridge is adorned with saxophones variously painted to represent different countries and a tribute to
Adolphe Sax, born in the town and inventor of the saxophone in the 1840s.
La Capsule
Visible from the bridge with it's orange facade and situated under the Citadel on the east bank of the river Meuse, we were early customers at
La Capsule and picked a table near the window with views across the river.
It was cold outside and unsurprisingly no customers were yet sat at the tables on either side of the cobbled road between the bar and the river. We only drank coffee on our first visit in the morning but returning at 2.30pm and able to sit at the same table we found that the sunshine had attracted customers to the outside seats.
There was a poster in the town for Dinant Biere Blonde (
Brasserie des Legendes) but La Capsule had Biere Le Dinantais (
Brasserie Minne) a 5.3% ABV Blonde brewed for the bar and featuring the orange frontage on its label and matching glass.
Although it was bright from sunshine at the front of the bar it was only dimly lit at the back. A guest beer from the tap enjoyed here was Bretty Boop by Brasserie des Legendes.
The regular tap beers are mentioned on a page in the bound menu and the guest beers are written on a white board near the entrance which also features a variety of brewery signs.
Pub St Roch
Our first beers in Dinant were enjoyed at
Pub St Roch after visiting the vertical rockfaces at Rocher Bayard. The historic building overlooks a small cobbled square where Rue Pont en Isle meets Rue Courte Saint-Roch.
Inside, it is simply furnished and traditional touches include candlelight at the bar and an old clock. A curving wooden staircase leads to additional seating on the first floor. We chose the table closest to the log fire.
The laminated drinks menu cards include (Wallonian) regional sections for beers with none from Flanders or large breweries.
Our beer choices here included
Bertinchamps Framboise (€4, 33cl, Namur region) and draught
Brasserie Caulier Bon Secours 4 Houblons (€4.50, 33cl, Hainaut region). A portion of cheese, served with celery salt, also seemed appropriate at lunchtime.
It's well worth walking south of the bridge to find this historic pub with excellent service and facilities.
A walk further south will reward you with river views and and Rocher Bayard where the southbound road skirts around by the river and the northbound goes through.
For details of bars visited in Namur - please see the
Namur 2025 blog post.
The laminated drinks menu cards include (Wallonian) regional sections for beers with none from Flanders or large breweries.
