Is this a place to see or a place for a drink? Let’s agree on this: It’s both!
Dinant is a middle sized town in Belgium’s region Wallonie. The river Maas passes by in a really picturesque way. And an old fortress is guarding the city from high above, looking down from majestic greyish rocks.
And Dinant is the home of the Leffe-Brewery. Leffe is actually a city district of Dinant and the Abbey that used to produce the beer is located here.
Used to? Yes, Leffe (the beer) has been sold to AB/ InBev and only the abbey is left in Leffe (the place). The abbey itself is closed to the public, ss the order of the Premonstratensians wants to pray in silence. So in Leffe (the place) there is nothing to see from Leffe (the beer) anymore.
But capitalism is unstoppable, so AB/InBev simply bough a nearby old chapel (actually much more central then the abbey) and turned it into a museum for, well, Leffe Beer. Though I am not a fan of big business, I have to say: it is well done! The museum is called Maison Leffe and the exhibition is really fancy and rather digital. And even if you are deep into beer-talks and nerdy knowledge of brewing, you might still get something out of it (at least the option to go for a tasting at the end of the exhibition).
So if ever in Dinant, have a look, enjoy a tasting! And then, strengthened by a beer, go for the fortress and enjoy the brilliant view of the Maas valley!
Locations: Check here for the location of the old abbey and over here for the museum, the Maison Leffe.
