One Day in Dinant: La Descente de la Lesse

Dinant is a charming town, not far from Luxembourg, known for its dramatic cliffs and colorful buildings. But that’s not all! Dinant is also famous for "La descente de la Lesse",  which involves kayaking or canoeing down the Lesse River, a thrilling summer activity πŸ˜‰.

The operator Dinant Evasion provides everything you need to embark on this adventure. If you're traveling from Luxembourg, you can reach Dinant Evasion in about an hour and a half, and there is parking available near the reception area.

It's highly recommended to book in advance your kayak experience on their official website:

Dinant Evasion - Booking

Reservations are available from April 1 until October 13, except when there's an unfavorable variation in the water level of the Lesse. When booking, you'll need to choose the length of your path from the following options (If it's your first time and you also wish to visit the town of Dinant, I recommend choosing the second or third option):

1. 21km from Houyet to Anseremme (about 5 hours)

2. 12km from Gendron to Anseremme (about 3 hours)

3. 9km from Houyet-Gendron (about 2 hours)

Additionally, you will need to select the type of kayak. We opted for the Double Kayak ( which is the one you can see in the photo below πŸ˜‰) as it was the cheapest per person, but we regretted it! By the end of the route, we were soaking wet since this type of kayak doesn't keep water out, plus there was no back support. If I go again, I would definitely choose the Double Comfy Kayak or the Double Super Comfort.

Here’s an overview of the prices (per person) and models:

Double super comfort – €34.5

Single super comfort Kayak – €39.5

Double comfy Kayak – €32

Double Kayak – €29.5

While kayaking, you will have the opportunity to stop along the way to admire the beautiful landscapes. Take advantage of these stops to have a picnic πŸ˜‰. At the beginning of the trip, they will provide you with a bucket to store your personal items, so you can also bring some food if you like!

Don't forget to bring a change of clothes, as you will probably get soaked! Changing rooms are available at the end of the route.

If you're not too tired after kayaking, you'll likely have some time to enjoy the town! Consider exploring the Citadel of Dinant, an 11th-century fortress that provides a stunning view of the Meuse Valley. The entrance fee is €12 and includes the cable car ride. Another option is the Maison of Leffe - a museum dedicated to the history and heritage of Leffe beer, where you can learn about the brewing traditions and history of one of Belgium's most renowned abbey beers.

Add comment

Comments

There are no comments yet.