Getting Oriented

Getting Oriented

This part of Belgium is marked by contrasts. The bigger cities of Namur and Liège mix a bit of cosmopolitan bustle with the historical appeal of ages-old European towns. In the countryside, major roads lead to tiny hamlets, and hills give way to deep river valleys. There's a vast territory to cover, and plenty to see and do, whether you're driving along rustic back roads or strolling down city streets.

The Meuse river valley and the wooded plateau of the Ardennes are popular travel destinations for Belgians and foreign visitors alike; the hilly, even mountainous, terrain is a great draw for nature lovers who enjoy hiking, biking, and canoeing. The region stretches over Wallonia's three eastern provinces, Namur, Liège, and, to the south, Belgian Luxembourg.

Namur

The city stands at the confluence of the Meuse and the Sambre rivers, and these strategic waterways neatly divide it into three distinct sections: the partly pedestrian historic center on the banks of the Sambre; the spur of the Citadelle; and the residential Jambes neighborhood across the Meuse.

Liège

Liège, the area of Wallonia most influenced by the French, is a good jumping-off point for exploration of the Ardennes, a largely wooded region that stretches into the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the south. There's a medieval air to the Ardennes; the small towns interspersed among the woods are dominated by centuries-old castles and abbeys and even older Roman ruins. The twisting roads are often a challenge to navigate. Here, as in the Meuse valley and perhaps more so, outdoor activities amid the deciduous forests, rocky escarpments, and fast-flowing rivers are an ever-popular pastime.