Hotels Namur

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Belgium is a fascinating country with an important historical past. The city of Namur, the capital of the French speaking Walloon region of Belgium, encompasses the wide and diverse influences the country has seen over the years. With more than 300 shops to satisfy visitors, several museums, wonderful architecture and a whole host of hotels Namur is a popular destination. The city's symbol is a snail, which is appropriate, as the pace is certainly unhurried in this picturesque medieval town. Locally the city's residents have a reputation for speaking French slowly, a trait that has also been linked to the snail. Monuments and quirky statues including two bronze snails in a cage pay homage to the emblem.

Whether visitors want to browse the many varied shops, relax in cafes, bars and restaurants, see beautiful scenery or visit one of the museums, the city can offer visitors a host of pastimes and attractions. Belgium is famous for its chocolate and love of fine food and the Belgians themselves consider their cuisine as second only to the French. Chocolatiers are extremely proud of their art and many have their own shops where they create mouth-watering creations to tempt passers-by. A particular specialty is pralines, but in all chocolate shops, the heavy scent of chocolate hangs in the air and some offer guided tours over their premises. Another famous skill is that of the perfumier. There are several perfumeries that create unique scents and again, tours can be arranged. The hotels Namur houses can arrange guided tours on behalf of their guests as well as popular day trips to the surrounding areas.

Restaurants compete with each other to offer the best service and cuisine for their guests. The Belgians are said to cook with the finesse of the French but with the portion sizes of the Germans and food and drink play an important part in their culture. The typical Belgian cuisine is a fusion of French and Dutch although it has its own flavor. Medieval influences can also be found with dishes such as Buttermilk Soup and Apples, or Braised Chicken with Grapes combining sweet and sour. Waterzooi, a soup with chicken or fish, Boudin Blanc and Boudin Noir, artisan sausages made with blood, Belgian Fries and Vlaamse Stovery or La Carbonade Flamande are traditional favorites.

The latter, a beef stew cooked in beer, is usually prepared from a family recipe and there is much friendly rivalry over whose is best. Endives, a delicate white vegetable known as White Gold by the Belgians, are widely used as an accompaniment. While wine is popular, perhaps because of the French influence, the Belgians are renowned the world over for their brewing expertise. Many of the nearby monasteries and abbeys brew their own beer and the Maredous Abbey is particularly noteworthy. The Abbey also makes a spicy cheese popular with tourists. No trip to Belgium would be complete without sampling a few of the hundreds of beers available.

Many of the hotels Namur boasts are right in the heart of the city making all the attractions easy to reach. Hotels range from clean and comfortable to high-end luxury and some are based in the beautiful medieval buildings to be found in the shadow of the mighty Citadel that lies above the city on a rocky outcrop. It was once one of the ten mightiest strongholds to be found anywhere in Europe and it covers a vast area. As well as a tourist attraction of note, it also houses children's playgrounds, a registry office and an open air theater. A famous perfumery now occupies one of the old casements. The views to be found from the Citadel and its grounds are first rate and the underground caverns should not be missed.

The Citadel is not the only attraction for those staying in the hotels Namur provides. Several fine museums can be found within the town's confines including the wonderful 18th century patrician's house. This fine building is home to the Groesbeeck de Croix Museum, the Museum of Ancient Arts, housing very rare and early works from the 11th to the 17th century and the Felicien Rops Museum named after the Belgian caricaturist and illustrator who donated his vast collection of paintings to the province of Namur.

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