Districts of Flanders

Bruges District:
Beernem
Blankenberge
Brugge/Bruges
Damme
Jabbeke
Knokke-Heist
Oostkamp
Torhout
Zedelgem
Zuienkerke

Kortrijk District:
Anzegem
Avelgem
Kortrijk/Courtrai
Deerlijk
Harelbeke
Kuurne
Lendelede
Menen
Spiere-Helkijn
Waregem
Wevelgem
Zwevegem
(more…)

History of Flanders

In 862, Baldwin Bras-de-Fer [Iron Arm], a son-in-law of Emperor Charles II, became the first count of Flanders. In the divisions (9th cent.) of the Carolingian empire, Flanders became a fief of the French crown, but its powerful counts enjoyed virtual independence. They extended (11th cent.) their domains to the east; these additions, being held in fief to the Holy Roman Empire, became known as Imperial Flanders, in contrast to Crown Flanders, held from the French kings. In the 12th cent. the direct line of counts died out, and in 1191 the counts of Hainaut (with which Flanders previously had been briefly united) also became counts of Flanders.

The struggle for the succession to Flanders in the 12th cent. resulted in the loss of Artois and other districts and towns in W and S Flanders to the French crown. At the same time, the Flemish cities—among which Ghent, Bruges, Ypres, and Kortrijk were foremost—gained vast privileges and liberties (see commune). Their prosperity and the prosperity of Flanders as a whole depended on the growing cloth industry, which had been introduced in the 10th cent., and on the transit trade at such major ports as Bruges (later superseded by Antwerp) and Ghent. By the 13th cent. the Flemish cloth industry was the foremost in Europe, and it has still retained much of its importance.

Flanders had a turbulent history in the 13th and 14th cent. due to social, economic, and political tensions. One result of the intensive industrialization of the cities was a struggle between the guild workers and the patricians. This struggle was reflected in the political rivalry of the Leliaerts (supporters of the French kings, named for the fleur-de-lis on the French arms), who were backed by the patricians, and the Clauwaerts (supporters of the counts of Flanders, named for the lion’s claws in the counts’ shield), who represented the lower classes. In addition, there was a long-standing rivalry among the cities, which often led to open warfare.
(more…)

Attractions of Namur

Fortified centre. The citadel, overlooking the town and the Meuse river.

Please note: the walk up to the fortified centre . A walk though the paths and streets that lead up to the centre will allow you to relax into the individual atmosphere of this town. Please be aware however that the walk can be long and at times steep. It is thus not appropriate for very young children, the weak or fragile. A car is a viable alternative.

Parfumerie Guy Delforge
Route Merveilleuse, 60
5000 – Namur
http://www.delforge.com
info@delforge.com

Parfumerie Delforge. The view from the entrance is perhaps something you might expect to see more in Provence than Belgium! Enter through the officer mess and discover the source of the essential oils! The visit takes you 30ft below ground and back to the 17 th century. It’s dark and cool down there – conditions essential to keep the oils properties intact.
(more…)

Wallonia the Capital City of Namur

Wallonia (French: Wallonie) or the Walloon Region (French: Région Wallonne) is the predominantly French-speaking region that constitutes one of the three federal regions of Belgium, with its capital at Namur. Its official languages are French and German.

Demographics and language

The Walloon Region occupies the southern part of Belgium. It has a surface area of 16844 km² (55.18% of Belgium) and comprises the following provinces:
Hainaut
Liege
Luxembourg
Namur
Walloon Brabant
Charleroi

Its major cities and towns include Liège, Namur, Charleroi, Mons, Tournai, Arlon, Bastogne, Wavre, Verviers, Dinant and Eupen.
(more…)

Notable inhabitants

Félicien Rops (1833-1898), artist
Henri Michaux (1899-1984), poet, writer and painter born in Namur
François Bovesse
Nicolas Bosret, author of Li bia bouquet
Benoît Poelvoorde, actor

Culture and sights

Namur has taken on a new role as the capital of the federal region of Wallonia. Its location at the head of the Ardennes has also made it a popular tourist centre, with a casino located in its southern district on the left bank of the Meuse.

The town’s most prominent sight is the citadel, now demilitarised and open to the public. It plays host to a beer festival at Easter. Namur also has a distinctive 18th century cathedral dedicated to Saint Aubain.

An odd Namurois custom is the annual Combat de l’Échasse d’Or (Fight for the Golden Stilt), held on the third Sunday in September. Two teams, the Mélans and the Avresses, dress in medieval clothes while standing on stilts and do battle in one of the town’s principal squares.

Namur possesses a distinguished university, the Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix, founded in 1831.

Economy

Namur is an important commercial and industrial centre, producing machinery, leather goods, metals and porcelain. It is also an important railway junction situated on the north-south line between Brussels and Luxembourg City, and the east-west line between Lille and Liège. River barge traffic passes through the middle of the city along the Meuse.

History of Namur

The town began as an important trading settlement in Celtic times, straddling east-west and north-south trade routes across the Ardennes. The Romans, too, established a presence after Julius Caesar defeated the local Aduatuci tribe.

Namur came to prominence during the early Middle Ages when the Merovingians built a castle on the rocky spur overlooking the town at the confluence of the two rivers. In the 10th century it became a county in its own right. The town developed somewhat unevenly, as the counts of Namur could only build on the north bank of the Meuse - the south bank was owned by the bishops of Liège and developed more slowly into the town of Jambes (now effectively a suburb of Namur). In 1262, Namur fell into the hands of the Count of Flanders, and was purchased by Duke Philip the Good of Burgundy in 1421.

After Namur became part of the Spanish Netherlands in the 1640s, its citadel was considerably strengthened. The King Louis XIV of France invaded in 1692, capturing the town and annexing it to France. His renowned military engineer Vauban rebuilt the citadel.
(more…)

Namur

Namur (Namen in Dutch) is the capital of the region of Wallonia in southern Belgium. It is also the chief town of the province of Namur. A city having 106,767 people (2005), it stands at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers at coordinates 50°28′N 4°52′E. Namur occupies a total area of 175.69 km² which gives a population density of 607.69 inhabitants per km². The municipality of Namur straddles three different regions - Hesbaye to the north, Condroz to the south-east and Entre Sambre et Meuse to the south-west. The language spoken is French.

Namur may not be the most attractive Belgian city but it’s still a nice place to visit and an excellent base for exploring the valleys around it which are of great natural beauty.

Over the centuries Namur has been one of the main strategic points of the whole of Belgium, on account of its geographical position where the Sambre flows into the Meuse. Namur is also historical town whose foundation goes back to the Roman conquest. Unfortuantley it played a role in many wars and many of its historic buildings have been distroyed over the years.

The main attraction of the city is the Citadel, but you should also take your time to discover the picturesque old quarter of Namur. Passing through its narrow streets and passageways, you will be surprised by its rich architectural history, dating mainly from the 18th Century.