The best cycling routes around Floreffe

The Namur cable car is a modern transport and tourist installation that directly connects the historic city center with the higher-located citadel. This cable car, officially opened in 2021, forms an important link between heritage, mobility, and tourism, and is designed to transport visitors to the citadel in an efficient and visually appealing manner. The installation departs from the center near Place Maurice Servais and ends at the citadel's esplanade. The route is approximately 650 meters long and overcomes an altitude difference of about 103 meters. The ride takes an average of three to four minutes and passes over the river Sambre and the citadel's ramparts. This offers a panoramic view of both the city and the surrounding landscape. The cable car is not only a tourist attraction but also an infrastructure project that addresses accessibility. The citadel is located at an altitude of about 190 meters and was historically difficult to reach, highlighting the importance of a direct connection. The current cable car is not the first connection of its kind in Namur. As early as 1898, a funicular railway was built, the first in Wallonia, connecting the city with the citadel. However, this installation was only in use until 1907 due to high costs. Later, in 1956, a cable car was built that served as an important tourist attraction for about forty years. It was decommissioned in 1997, partly due to safety issues such as the risk of falling rocks. In 2002, the lower station was also destroyed by fire, leading to the permanent disappearance of the installation. The reintroduction of the cable car was part of a broader urban development project. Construction began in 2019 and was carried out by specialized companies such as Poma (cabins) and Labellemontagne (operation). The cable car is operated under a 30-year concession, indicating a long-term vision for tourism and urban development. The modern cable car features cabins that can accommodate multiple passengers (about six per cabin). The capacity is around 300 people per hour, with the possibility of scaling up during peak times. The system is designed to function efficiently and safely, with attention to noise pollution and integration into the urban landscape. Notably, the upper station was partly integrated into a reused pavilion from the Milan World Expo (2015), indicating a combination of reuse and modern architecture.

Adeps 5km walk on January 25, 2026, great walk! And beautiful view of the seminary!

The wonderful road to the citadel is a beautifully steady climb, with soft cobblestones and switchbacks. Moderate and wide gradient.

It all began in 1240, when the monks of the Belgian monastery of Notre-Dame de Leffe began brewing beer. For a long time, they produced their own abbey beer. However, during the French Revolution, the monastery was closed. It wasn't until 1929 that the monastery was revived, and the monks resumed their brewing activities. A good twenty years later, the brothers Nys and Albert Lootvoet began producing beer based on the Leffe Abbey recipe. Their company is now owned by the brewing giant Anheuser-Bush InBev. Source: bierpedia.org/bier/leffe-blonde

In 1152, Henry the Blind, Count of Namur, donated the church of Leffe to the Premonstratensians of Floreffe. The monastery resulting from this donation became an abbey in 1200. It was rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries and plundered by the revolutionaries in 1794. In 1816, the current buildings were sold and converted into workshops. They were repurchased in 1903 by French Premonstratensians who were then in exile and, starting in 1931, restored by their Flemish confreres from Tongerlo, who rebuilt the abbey. The abbey today has a double courtyard. The 17th-century abbey quarter, rebuilt in 1747, borders the guest quarter, dating from 1604. The former library, which was separate from the abbey, is now a primary school. Source: visitwallonia.de/de/content/abtei-notre-dame-de-lesse

It all began in 1240, when the monks of the Belgian monastery of Notre-Dame de Leffe began brewing beer. For a long time, they produced their own abbey beer. However, during the French Revolution, the monastery was closed. It wasn't until 1929 that the monastery was revived, and the monks resumed their brewing activities. A good twenty years later, the brothers Nys and Albert Lootvoet began producing beer based on the Leffe Abbey recipe. Their company is now owned by the brewing giant Anheuser-Bush InBev. Source: bierpedia.org/bier/leffe-blonde

Dinant is a beautiful little town with a rich history and is well worth a stop.

The road is a bit rough. From there, either go up to Franière along the Sambre or head towards Namur via Profondeville, which are two very pleasant directions.