Can you even guess why beer was brewed a few centuries ago in Belgium and who did it??? No, it wasn't a pleasure drink like today! Well, anyone who could brew beer brewed it that even included monks and nuns! Why??? That was the only sure shot way of killing all germs in the water, because water was contaminated with germs of even the dreaded plague!!! One of the most popular brand of beer Leffe had its humble beginnings in a monastery here in Dinant!
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To begin with - its a bit confusing! There are 2 different places - Maison Leffe and Abbaye Notre-Dame de Leffe. The 2 are located in the opposite directions of the railway station with 1.8km between them. The Abbaye Notre-Dame de Leffe is where originally Leffe Beer was brewed. However it is now still a functioning monastery where setting up a beer museum or beer tasting and serving tourists, would be a hindrance to the people there. Also the monastery does not produce beer anymore, but has been taken over by AB InBev. So, within the site of La Marveilleuse Resort, which is a convent converted to a hotel, a portion has now been converted to Maison Leffe - a museum that talks about the history of Leffe beer plus a bar for beer tasting as well!
To Get There:
To Dinant: Refer to my earlier post
On Google Maps: Maison Leffe, Abbaye Notre-Dame de Leffe, Grotte la Merveilleuse
All sites are walkable from Dinant Railway Station, city centre and each other.
On Google Maps: Maison Leffe, Abbaye Notre-Dame de Leffe, Grotte la Merveilleuse
All sites are walkable from Dinant Railway Station, city centre and each other.
To Stay:
Hotels and B&Bs at all price points are available in nearest city Namur.
There are a few hotels in Dinant. Here’s my review of La Mervelliuse Resort where I stayed.
There are a few hotels in Dinant. Here’s my review of La Mervelliuse Resort where I stayed.
Entry Tickets & Timings:
Maison Leffe: €7; 11:00AM to 06:00PM; Oct-May: Fri-Sun only; June-Sept: Tues-Sun
Grotte la Merveilleuse: €9; Tues-Sun: Guided tours once every hour from 11:00AM to 3:00/4:00/5:00PM (in winter/autumn/summer respectively)
My complete Dinant travelogue: coming up soon...
Maison Leffe: €7; 11:00AM to 06:00PM; Oct-May: Fri-Sun only; June-Sept: Tues-Sun
Grotte la Merveilleuse: €9; Tues-Sun: Guided tours once every hour from 11:00AM to 3:00/4:00/5:00PM (in winter/autumn/summer respectively)
My complete Dinant travelogue: coming up soon...
P.S: I was invited by Wallonia Tourism to experience the city for review purposes, however the opinions are my own and this post does not to advertise the product/service.
P.S.2: Leffe beer is an alcoholic beverage. You must be of legal drinking age to consume it, as stated by your country. Excessive drinking is injurious to health. Drinking & Driving can be lethal.
P.S.2: Leffe beer is an alcoholic beverage. You must be of legal drinking age to consume it, as stated by your country. Excessive drinking is injurious to health. Drinking & Driving can be lethal.