Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone, was born in Dinant in 1814. Even though he developed his brilliant invention in Paris, the city of Dinant pays permanent tribute to this illustrious citizen. Perhaps you have already seen one or more of the giant saxophones 's ongoing homage Dinant to the father of the saxophone.
By following a walking tour through the city, created at the initiative of theInternational Adolphe Sax Association, you can discover Dinant and Adolphe Sax. You will find all the practical information on this page.
You will come across saxophones during this walk, which also allows you to discover the main points of interest of the Meuse town.
Before that, let's go back to the birth of Adolphe Sax in Dinant. More than two centuries ago…
Why is Dinant the city of the Saxophone?
The answer is simple: because the father of the saxophone, its brilliant inventor, Adolphe Sax, was born in Dinant. His family had lived there for five generations. Dinant is therefore the birthplace of the saxophone's inventor.
It is November 6, 1814. At number 33 of today's rue Sax (formerly Rue Neuve), the first child of Marie-Joseph and Charles-Joseph SAX was born. For the record, the child receives the first name of his grandfather, namely Antoine-Joseph: but we will call him Adolphe. He had a total of 11 brothers and sisters, but only he was born in the Meuse city. He doesn't stay there long, anyway.
Adolphe Sax's father was always on the move. Adolphe was only a few months old when the family settled in Brussels. There, his father established a musical instrument-making workshop. He would later become the official instrument maker to the Court of the King of the Netherlands.
Adolphe Sax also devoted himself to the manufacture of musical instruments, such as the saxophone, as well as to the improvement of existing instruments. He spent most of his life in Paris, where he developed his activities as a musical instrument maker, not without some difficulties at times.
Although Adolphe Sax only spent the first months of his life in Dinant, the city has paid him a permanent tribute for many years.
It is in fact impossible to walk around Dinant without coming across, sooner or later,… a saxophone.
A walking tour is organized to allow you to follow in the footsteps of the father of the Saxophone and his main invention.
Follow the leader !
The route to discover Dinant and Adolphe Sax: Sax and the city
It is the initiative of the International Adolphe Sax Association – AIAS – that we owe this original walking route through the streets of Dinant.
This short and easy walk takes you in the footsteps of the inventor of the saxophone, along an educational and colorful route. With one central theme: the saxophone, of course!
The starting point of this walk?
TheExplore Meuse Tourist Officeis where you can pick up a map of the saxophone discovery route through the streets of Dinant. You can also download the map of the " Discover Dinant and Adolphe Sax – Sax and the city " route from the website of the International Adolphe Sax Association.
If you arrive in Dinant by train or bus, don't miss the first of the saxophones on the route, located rue de la Station, near the train station.
From the Tourist Office, head towards the Charles de Gaulle Bridge.
The Saxophones of the Charles de Gaulle Bridge
Impossible to miss them! On either side of the Charles de Gaulle Bridge, the only bridge that spans the Meuse in the center of Dinant, several decorative saxophones are installed.
Above, you see the 4 saxophones on the right side.
Observe them… Carefully: each saxophone is decorated to represent a European country. Not all European countries are represented on the bridge, but you are not yet at the end of your journey.
These saxophones offer you the opportunity to take beautiful photos, with the Meuse, the Collegiate Church, the Citadel of Dinant ... or yourself to enhance the view, in selfie mode!
After crossing the bridge, turn left and head towards the banks of the Meuse River, near Boulevard Sasserath. This area is now better known as La Croisette. Continue towards Quai Jean-Baptiste Culot and Place Patenier. In this square, above a parking lot, you'll find three saxophones.
The giant saxophone, Mr. Sax's house and his statue on a bench
Leave Place Patenier via Rue Adolphe Sax. At the intersection of Rue Sax and Rue Saint-Jacques, near a fountain, you will see a giant saxophone.
Further on, still on rue Adolphe Sax, stop first at place Collard: two saxophones are installed in the shade of plane trees.
Then, you can't miss the illustrious inventor of the saxophone, Adolphe Sax himself, sitting cross-legged on a bench with his beloved instrument. Why not sit next to him and take a photo as a souvenir of your visit to Dinant ?
You are standing in front of Mr. Sax's house. This is not the original home of the Sax family: it was destroyed during the First World War.
The place is not a museum: it's a interpretation center . Access is free and the door is open.
You will discover an enlargement of the saxophone patent (filed in 1846) and several declarations of love for this instrument.
Anamorphoses, the house of Pataphony and the Clepsydra
Continue the route via rue Sax, towards the Collegiate Church.
This part of the route allows you to discover the anamorphoses. In total, seven contemporary totems to evoke all the instruments of the family: sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass and double bass.
Next, after passing the Collegiate Church, take Rue Grande, then at Jacobs Bakery, turn left onto Rue Ernest le Boulangé (you couldn't make it up). This street leads you to the Maison de la Pataphonie : a place where the most improbable sounds are created. Note the address to return (by appointment).
Take the first street on the right, to return to the main street and reach theTown Hall. In its courtyard, you can admire a work by the glass artisan Bernard Tirtiaux : the Clepsydra.
This water clock was inaugurated in 2014, on the occasion of the bicentenary of the birth of Adolphe Sax in Dinant . As you can imagine: this clepsydra has the shape of a… saxophone.
Monsieur Sax's kiosk
Leaving the courtyard of the town hall, take Rue Grande to the right then quickly turn left onto Rue du Palais de Justice. Facing this building, continue right.
Along the way, you will notice another saxophone on Place Lion, as well as in front of the Adolphe Sax conservatory, rue Saint-Michel.
Your steps lead you back to Rue Grande and take you to the Dinant. At the end of the parking lot, on Esplanade Elisabeth, you'll find the Adolphe Sax bandstand. It's a venue for musical events, shows, and outdoor activities. This bandstand is also available for rent.
Then, the route takes you to discover the last saxophones scattered around the city, Place Saint-Nicolas and Place d'Armes.
Return to your starting point by following the Meuse or taking Rue Grande to the Charles de Gaulle Bridge.
The Adolphe Sax International Association – AIAS
The International Adolphe Sa Association has been working since 1994 to highlight the legacy left by Adolphe Sax. She develops activities around the saxophone, both in Dinant and internationally.
We owe him in particular, every four years, the international Saxophone competition.
To be informed of the schedule of events, visit the AIAS website.
Photos: © Michel KASIER
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