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Neighborhood · Durbuy, Luxemburgo
Vieille ville de Durbuy
Old centre of Durbuy, with cobbled streets, limestone and half-timbered houses, the church Saint-Nicolas and the castle d'Ursel on the rock, all within a former bend of the Ourthe.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Vieille ville de Durbuy
The old centre of Durbuy occupies the area that, in the Middle Ages, was an island within a closed meander of the Ourthe. The river protected the town, and the rock served as the base for the castle. In the 18th century that river arm was filled in and drained, but the outline still appears in the relief and in the old bed that the town's geobalade follows.
In 1331, John I, Count of Luxembourg and King of Bohemia, elevated Durbuy to city status. It was a centre of trade and small industries in the Middle Ages and preserved the layout from that period: narrow stone lanes, grey limestone houses with slate roofs and some half-timbered façades.
At the top of the centre stands the castle of the counts d'Ursel. The family has been linked to Durbuy since the 18th century, and the building you see was rebuilt in 1880 on older foundations. As the family still lives there, visits are only from the outside. Nearby are the church Saint-Nicolas, a former convent church consecrated in 1643 with a 17th-century pulpit and baptismal font, and the Place aux Foires, surrounded by restaurants.
The whole centre can be walked in under an hour, but the charm is in stopping: on the bridge over the Ourthe, in the shops of regional products, on the terraces and in the Halle aux Blés, which operates as a museum.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
One to two hours to walk without rushing, enter the church Saint-Nicolas and stop at the bridge and the shops.
Best time
Early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when tour groups haven't arrived yet or have already left. In July, August and on sunny weekends the narrow streets fill up around lunchtime. Weekdays outside Belgian school holidays are the quietest.
How to get there
Those arriving by car leave their vehicle in the parking lots at the town entrance and walk, because the center has narrow stone streets. From Barvaux station it's about 4 km, by taxi or local bus.
Tip
Wear footwear with firm soles: the stone paving is uneven and becomes slippery when wet. The most complete view of the ensemble, with the castle and the roofs, is from the bridge over the Ourthe and from the terrace of the Parc des Topiaires.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Vieille ville de Durbuy
Is the castle in the centre of Durbuy open?
No. The castle belongs to the d'Ursel family and does not receive visitors. It can be seen from the bridge, the narrow streets and the Parc des Topiaires.
Can you drive through the town centre?
Car access to the old centre is limited and the streets are narrow. The most practical solution is to use the car parks at the entrance and walk.