Citadelle de Dinant

About the museum

Perched more than 100 metres above the Meuse, the Citadelle dominates Dinant from its rocky spur. In the Middle Ages the town was the second city of the Principality of Liège. It owed its prosperity to dinanderie, the art of working copper, and to its position on the Meuse, a major trade route associated with the Hanseatic League. Fortifications defended the town at the time. In 1466 Dinant was sacked by Charles the Bold.

Over the centuries the fortress was strengthened and adapted to advances in military engineering, notably according to the principles of Vauban in the 17th century. It went through the Dutch period and became a military prison. In August 1914 Dinant was the scene of fierce fighting and of the massacre of 674 civilians, whose memory is kept today by the crosses surrounding the Citadelle.

The present visit combines a museum with faithful reconstructions, themed rooms, historical corridors and cellars with an augmented-reality trail using the HistoPad, which brings more than 1,000 years of history to life. Visitors also follow the first days of the war in 1914, evoked by sounds from the past. Outdoor courtyards, terraces and a panorama over the valley complete the site.

Highlights

• HistoPad: augmented-reality visit with 13 time doors, in 8 languages
• Historical trail from medieval origins to the Great War
• Staircase of 408 steps, dating from 1577, between the town and the fortress
• Panorama over the Meuse and playgrounds
• 3-in-1 package with a cruise on the Meuse

Permanent exhibitions

• Parcours historique de la Citadelle – Themed rooms, historical corridors and cellars trace the history of the site, from the Middle Ages to the fighting of August 1914.
• HistoPad : visite en réalité augmentée – Thirteen time doors to scan with the tablet bring to life the Dutch period, the military prison and the events of 1914.

Admission & discounts

The standard rate includes the visit to the Citadelle and the HistoPad. Family packages exist; see the rates page.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Access for people with reduced mobility is only via the upper part of the site: a bell at the gate, near the green chalet, lets staff open it. The fortress is historic, with uneven cobblestones and steep areas. The “collapsed shelter” area is not wheelchair-accessible and is not recommended for people who walk with difficulty or have balance problems. Dogs on a lead are allowed throughout the site.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

The trail is accessible to all audiences, with playgrounds and terraces. Children can go on a hunt for hidden objects with the HistoPad and take photos in period costume; a playful educational booklet can be downloaded. A birthday package is offered.

Getting there & parking

The Citadelle is 9 km from the E411 motorway Brussels–Luxembourg, exit 20. Cars, coaches and bicycles arrive from the top of the site.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

Café-friterie “Les Canons” at the top of the site, with a panoramic terrace and a playground (personal picnics are possible with a drink purchased); a refreshment bar in the central courtyard; and the restaurant “La Citadelle” at the foot of the 408-step staircase, near the Notre-Dame collegiate church.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Four rooms in the heart of the site (Gribeauval I, Gribeauval II, the Vauban room and the Bicentenary gallery), over 450 m² in total, for seminars, meetings, company events, private parties, birthdays and receptions. The Prieuré d'Anseremme, 4 km away, also hosts weddings and large events.

Plan your visit