The smallest city in the worldVisiting Durbuy is a bit like making an
appointment with history; as if the smallest town in the world opened up to its
visitors like a picture book that is leafed through unhurriedly, because Durbuy
is the showplace of tranquillity, harmony and timelessness.
We are in the
of
heart of the Liege-Namur-Marche triangle.
Dual carriageways and secondary roads lead you here without difficulty. Another
haunt: the
river are twin sisters, making the boundaries of the Condroz, Famenne and
Ardenne regions.
Far from the upheavals of major cities, the Condroz countryside unfolds a
tapestry of fertile fields, prosperous farms and small, intimate lanes.
Further south is the
equally pastoral Fammene. Rural life is
governed according to the seasons and the whims of the climate.
Ardenne, lastly, with its meagre lands and magical forests, announces to
the East its horizon of verdant hills, grey stone houses and meadows of rough
grass.
That symbol of modernity - the train - does not go through Durbuy, although it
stops at Barvaux. Hectic life, speed, pollution - they none of them pass
through the old walls or mask the murmur of the water. The Ourthe is the ideal
visit for nature enthusiasts.
Durbuy, the keystone in this natural setting of rivers and forests, has become
a refuge for those dreaming of rest, leisure and relaxation.
Several itineraries setting off from the town and its surroundings are ideal
for the visitor dip into a richly varied geography in the space of a walk.
The Ourthe of course, enticing fisherman seeking fame in amateur competition
or solitude chastened by the quality of the environment. The more sporting
prefer kayaking and the boldest of all embark on whitewater rafting!
Paths and tracks are all that remain, just wonderful for all types of cycling,
and how about on horseback, on a mount that simply needs guiding provided
there's fresh water and a peck of oats on its return.
All this infrastructure combines to make the smallest town in the world
not just an attraction for tourists, leisure activities and good eating,
but also an ideal spot for all sorts of seminars, not forgetting the small
retailers.
As for fervent enthusiasts for architectural heritage, may they be reassured -
they will be lost for choice in the museum town of
detracting from the modern comforts offered by all categories of hotels to the
most demanding tourist!
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