A visit to the Citadel of Dinant is a must-do during any stay in Dinant. It's impossible to visit this Meuse Valley city without climbing to the top. A family visit to the Citadel of Dinant is an activity that everyone will enjoy!
If you are staying at Gîtes Kangourou Dinant, we highly recommend that you discover this medieval fortress.
Centuries of sometimes very turbulent history await you. The visit allows you to discover the history of the Citadel through the ages.
Not forgetting the of Dinant breathtaking Dinant is truly worth it. panorama of the city and the Meuse! The panoramic view from the Citadel of
How to visit the Citadel of Dinant ? What are the hours? How long does the visit last? When is the best time to visit the Citadel of Dinant ? Follow the guide: we will take you to discover this jewel of local military heritage. Here's a preview of what to expect.
How to access the Citadel of Dinant ?
There are two possibilities to reach the Citadel of Dinant :
– From below, at the foot of the Citadel, via Place Reine Astrid (near the Collegiate Church).
– From the top, via rue Saint-Jacques and rue Pont d’Amour.
Access to the Citadel from the city center
At the end of Place Reine Astrid is one of the two access points to the Citadel of Dinant. After purchasing your ticket, you then have two options:
– climb the staircase and its 408 steps (good luck!);
– take the cable car (it's faster).
The entrance ticket gives you the choice (it’s the same price).
Do you want a suggestion? Take the cable car to go up… and the stairs to go down. This was our option during our visit :)
Access to the Citadel from above via rue Saint-Jacques
If you come by car, the best option is to arrive at the Citadelle from the top: via rue Saint-Jacques, rue Pont d'Amour and chemin de la Citadelle.
You will have access to ample parking. Then you can visit the Citadel. Of course, nothing stops you from taking the stairs and/or the cable car to get to the center of the city of Dinant (this is included in the entrance price).
Start of the visit to the Citadel of Dinant
When you purchase your entrance ticket, you will receive a map of the visit to the Citadel of Dinant (available in several languages).
This plan is particularly well designed to allow you to visit the site on your own and at your own pace.
The visit has 14 stations: you will find the numbers on the walls, so that you can complete the visit in the order suggested.
With your entry ticket, choose either the stairs or the cable car. If the 408 steps of the staircase require some effort, the cable car may require patience... depending on the crowds. You can imagine that most visitors opt for the suspended cabin rather than the steps.
The different stations on the tour circuit: the history of the Dinant citadel
We are not going to present to you the 14 stations offered on the route of the Citadel visit. The best thing is obviously to discover them for yourself, at your own pace and according to your interests.
As soon as you pass through the main entrance of the Citadel, you can access a space dedicated to the First World War, and in particular to the invasion of the city of Dinant in August 1914.
A long gallery of almost 150 meters evokes the terrible events which marked the city of Dinant during this world war: the terrible battles between soldiers, but also the tragic massacre of civilians. During this conflict, Dinant was probably the city whose civilians suffered the most. The animated tour allows you to imagine this painful episode in the life of Dinant.
General Charles de Gaulle, then a lieutenant in the French army, participated in these battles and was wounded. A statue stands in his honor near the bridge that bears his name (on the left bank).
After visiting the 1914 area, you will walk to the central courtyard of the Citadel, surrounded by casemates. There you can discover the history of the Citadel, whose earliest elements date back to 1040.
It was the Dutch who, at the beginning of the 19th century, gave this fortress the configuration that we know today.
You will undoubtedly be able to observe the artillery pieces on the site, which bear witness to the evolution of military practices over the centuries. Some of these pieces weigh 2 tons. And the shells could be launched over a kilometer.
A breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Dinant
At the back of the central courtyard, a casemate door gives you access to a superb viewpoint overlooking the city of Dinant and the Meuse River that flows through it.
Just think! You are 100 meters above the level of the Meuse. Don't cruise ships look like floating walnut shells?
Observe the Charles de Gaulle bridge and the Collegiate Church of Dinantbelow. In the distance, you can see the Charlemagne viaduct.
On your right, you'll see the medieval town of Bouvignes, as well as the ruins of Crèvecœur fortress. We invite you to read our article about Crèvecœur and its history.
Military life in the fortress at different times
It was the Dutch who, between 1819 and 1821, gave the Citadel its current configuration. Due to its proximity to France, Dinant was indeed a strategic stronghold.
Several spaces have been set up to represent the life of the garrison at that time: kitchen, bakery, dormitory.
This part of the buildings also shows the life of the fortress in other periods: in the Middle Ages (with the sacking of the town by the Duke of Burgundy), or during the French occupation under the reign of Louis XIV.
Extending from these spaces, a collapsed World War I shelter has been reconstructed. This shelter evokes the trenches of the Yser . It's quite unique… and we'll let you discover it for yourself!
Other pieces complete the presentation of military life at the Citadel, which was demilitarized in 1868.
Visiting the Citadel of Dinant in practice: timetables, guides, duration
The opening hours of the Citadel of Dinant vary depending on the season:
– between April and September, open every day from 10am to 6pm.
– between October and March, open every day from 10:00 to 16:30 or 17:30, except in January (open only on weekends).
We invite you to check the opening hours on the official website of the Citadel of Dinant. You will also find information there on the different ticket options (it is possible to combine a visit to the Citadel of Dinant with a cruise on the Meuse).
Allow around an hour for the visit.
Note also the possibility of downloading a free educational guide for children (available in 3 languages) via the website
What else to see and visit in Dinant and its region?
If the Citadel of Dinant is a must for your stay in Dinant, the city and its region have other places that are worth the detour.
We invite you to consult our list of places to visit in Dinant and around. You will also find other activities to do in Dinant.
In our travel guides, we also invite you to discover Dinant and its region.
Finally, if you stay at Gîtes Kangourou Dinant, you will have access to a tourist information folder. Don't hesitate to contact us for any information you may need to plan your stay in Dinant and your local activities!
Photos: © Michel KASIER
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