Beffroi

Namur


In the centre of town lies the Unesco-listed Beffroi, a medieval stone fortress tower on which a clock spire was plonked in 1733. It houses a youth information centre and can't be visited.

The pockmarked facade of the belfry and the adjoining building attest to a devastating bombing raid in WWII, when American planes 'accidentally' bombed the city centre, killing 330 and gravely injuring 600 residents.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Namur attractions

1. Palais des Congrès

0.03 MILES

The elegant stone-and-brick Palais des Congrès conference centre was rebuilt in the 1930s with war reparations from Germany (the German army having…

2. ‘King of Liars’ Seat

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This tiny stone seat is where the Roi des Menteurs (King of the Liars) is crowned during September's amusingly drunken Fêtes de Wallonie festivities.

3. Place d'Armes

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Namur's central square has been marred by a 1980s department store yet still features the elegant stone-and-brick Palais des Congrès conference centre,…

4. Musée Archéologique de Namur

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Housed in the photogenic Halle al'Chair, this small two-level museum houses a collection of artifacts spanning more than 2500 years. Highlights include…

5. Halle al’Chair

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Formerly the meat market, this 16th-century riverside building is one of few venerable structures to have survived Namur’s history of continual wartime…

6. Musée des Arts Anciens du Namurois

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In an 18th-century mansion, this interesting museum displays old artworks from the local region, paintings by 16th-century artist Henri Blès and many…

7. Église St-Joseph

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The tall, red baroque frontage of this church is a notable landmark in the centre of town. Long-term restoration of St-Joseph began in 2017, and the…

8. Église St-Loup

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Baudelaire reputedly described this remarkable baroque church as a ‘sinister and gallant marvel’. With purple marble columns, black stone arches,…