Dinant Citadel

Less than forty kilometres from our gîte in Silenrieux, The Citadelle of Dinant proudly dominates the Meuse valley and offers one of the most beautiful views in Wallonia. From Silenrieux, a village near the Lacs de l'Eau d'Heure, you can easily reach Dinant by car for a great day out, combining history, scenery and heritage.

A thousand years of history perched above the Meuse

The hill on which the citadel now stands has been fortified since the XIᵉ century, when the first fortified castle was built there by a prince-bishop of Liège to control the passage over the Meuse. Later, in the XVIIᵉ century, the engineer Vauban further strengthened the site, before the building we visit today was rebuilt between 1818 and 1821 by the Dutch as part of the «Wellington Barrier».

Over the centuries, Dinant has suffered sieges, destruction and reconstruction, including the sacking of the town by Charles the Bold in 1466. The Citadelle also played a dramatic role during the First World War, in 1914, when fierce fighting broke out between French and German troops and the town was marked by the massacre of civilians.

An immersive visit into the lives of soldiers

Today, the Dinant Citadel has been converted into a museum of arms and history, retracing almost a thousand years of events in the Mosan valley. As you wander through its corridors, casemates and former garrison quarters, you will discover reconstructions of military life in the XIXᵉ century: bakery, kitchen, barracks rooms, cells and soldiers' service areas.

Part of the tour is devoted to the summer of 1914, with reconstructed trenches, a collapsed shelter and displays evoking the fighting and the oppressive atmosphere of the first days of the war. The tour ends with a spectacular panorama of Dinant, the collegiate church and the meandering Meuse, one of the region's most emblematic viewpoints.

Getting to the Citadelle: stairs, road... and cable car

There are several options for getting to the Citadel. From the centre of Dinant, a 408-step staircase, built as early as the XVIᵉ century, links the square at the foot of the cliff to the top of the promontory - ideal for the more athletic. The citadel can also be reached by road, via rue Saint-Jacques and rue Pont d'Amour, which lead to a car park close to the entrance.

A cable car usually links the square at the foot of the collegiate church to the Citadel, offering a spectacular ride above the Meuse. However, the cable car is currently at a standstill for an indefinite period for safety reasons, so it is advisable to check the situation on the official website before your visit.

Times, length of visit and guide prices

The Citadelle of Dinant is open all year round, with opening times varying according to the season, generally from late morning to late afternoon, with longer periods in the high season (spring-summer). Entrance tickets give access to the site and the museum areas, and often include a ride on the cable car when it is in service.

The recommended visit time is between 1? and 3 hours, depending on whether you take part in a guided tour or explore the rooms and exteriors on your own. Adult prices generally range from around ten to fifteen euros, with discounts available for children, families or groups, but it is advisable to check the latest information on the Citadelle website or official tourist portals.

From our gîte in Silenrieux: a great day out

Silenrieux is located in the heart of the Lacs de l'Eau d'Heure region, in the immediate vicinity of these large bodies of water surrounded by forests and meadows. The village is around 38 km from Dinant, making it an ideal destination for a day trip during your stay.

For a few days, you can combine water sports activities and walks around the Lacs de l'Eau d'Heure with a cultural outing in Dinant: visit the Citadel, take a walk along the Meuse, discover the collegiate church and its narrow streets, or take a short river cruise. Back at our gîte, you can enjoy the peace and quiet of Silenrieux, away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist trade, while having access to a remarkable heritage within a very reasonable radius.

Tips for preparing your visit

To make the most of your day in Dinant, we advise you to start at the Citadelle in the morning or early afternoon, so that you have enough time to visit without rushing. Remember to bring comfortable shoes, as the site includes stairs, corridors and sloping paths, especially if you choose to climb the steps from the town centre.

Before you leave Silenrieux, take a quick look at the official website for the Citadelle and the tourist information for Dinant to check the timetables, the location of the cable car and any special events or guided tours. We'll also be happy to help you organise your day at the gîte and give you other ideas for visits in the Meuse valley or around the Lacs de l'Eau d'Heure.