Running in Namur: the capital of Wallonia
- audreyubertino
- Dec 22, 2025
- 4 min read
Located at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers, Namur is the heir to an ancient Roman city. Running in Namur means discovering the noble houses that have stood here over the centuries and admiring its rich architectural heritage. But it also means enjoying its many festivals in the heart of a modern and vibrant city!
The seventh largest city in Belgium in terms of area and eleventh in terms of population, Namur stands out first and foremost for its history. Located between two rivers, at a confluence that has been occupied since Neolithic times, it has preserved a large number of remarkable buildings from its rich past.
Although we know that Namur was first urbanised in Roman times and existed under the name Namuco during the Merovingian period, the appearance of the first Counts of Namur in the 10th century marked the beginning of a succession of noble houses at the head of the fiefdom. Its citadel, whose foundations date back to the Romans, is one of the largest in Europe. It was successively a fortified castle, the seat of the county, and then became the current citadel under the hands of the genius architects Vauban and Coehoorn. Its vast network of underground passages earned it the nickname ‘termite mound of Europe’ from Napoleon I. During your stroll through Namur, you can easily visit it by running... or by taking the cable car that leads there!
From Le Grognon to the Brasseurs district
Over the centuries, Namur's appearance has changed as a result of the conflicts that have shaken Europe. This was particularly true in the 17th century, which marked a real architectural turning point: as you walk through the streets of the city, you will see few buildings dating from before this period. This is especially true since the Grognon district, the historic birthplace of the city, was demolished in the early 1970s due to unsanitary conditions. Its strange name was due to its location, on a ‘beak’ of land separating the Sambre from the Meuse rivers – a Grognon, from the Old French groin, meaning a prominence of land.
However, at the foot of the citadel, you will discover some remains from medieval times, including towers from the old third wall. The city of Namur suffered twenty sieges... in twenty centuries, and at the height of its defensive power, it had four walls, which were reinforced by the citadel. This made it a major stronghold in the Southern Netherlands, but above all one of the most coveted in Europe. Its belfry, the Tour Saint-Jacques, was built at the end of the 14th century. This former defence tower, repurposed without losing its fortified appearance, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Along the water
Along the Sambre River, you can admire two successive neighbourhoods during your run. First, there is the Evêché district, home to the magnificent Italian-style Saint-Aubain Cathedral, built in the 18th century on the site of a former collegiate church. Further on is the brewers' district, which was established at the same time when these craftsmen settled here in large numbers, attracted by the proximity of the river and the bustle of this commercial district.
During a hike along the towpath or a simple stroll along the quays, you will appreciate this now renovated neighbourhood, which has far fewer brasseries than it did at its commercial peak. You can also take a ‘Namourette’, one of the small boats that sail on both rivers, somewhere between a gondola and a whaling boat.
Modern Namur
Beyond its monuments, Namur is a lively, modern city, a true ‘smart city’ renowned for its cultural events, particularly its festivals. It is the seat of the Walloon government, but also of the Walloon Parliament, which is housed in the former Saint-Gilles hospice, a medieval building that is one of the few remaining vestiges of the Grognon. From a cultural point of view, Namur. On the one hand, during your trip to Namur, you may have the chance to admire one of the city's stilt jousts, which are now part of the intangible heritage of humanity. The stilt walkers of Namur have been around for over 600 years!
Namur also has a wealth of museums, both archaeological and artistic. Don't miss the Diocesan Museum and the Cathedral Treasury, which contain rare examples of Mosan gold and silverwork. Or the African Museum, which focuses on the Belgian presence in the Congo. For a visit that is out of the ordinary, you could also consider going to the Strawberry Museum, which focuses on the cultivation of this fruit, or the Terra Nova Centre, which offers a multimedia tour of the city's history.
Of course, if you visit Namur in September, don't miss the Wallonia Festival, a golden opportunity to taste the local ‘peket’, a juniper liqueur. Or the famous International French-Language Film Festival (FIFF). However, almost every month, you will find a major cultural event to enjoy in the heart of this Belgian city.
Run, walk or cycle with JOOKS, from the Citadel to Saint-Aubain Cathedral!
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Fascinating slice of history—cities constantly evolve. It’s interesting how places reinvent themselves over time, a bit like SoFlo Wheelie Life turning simple streets into something dynamic and memorable.