Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Making a splash

As the Belgian town of Dinant gears up for the 26th International Bathtub Regatta, Renée Cordes peeks behind the scenes of the world’s weirdest boat race

If you’re looking for a day out with a difference this summer, head straight for Dinant in southern Belgium. On 15 August, a bizarre race will take place on the Meuse river between motor-free vessels crafted out of tubs – the 26th International Bathtub Regatta.

What started as a publicity stunt to boost the profile of this small Wallonian town (hitherto best known for being the birthplace Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone) has graduated into a local institution. “Rain or shine, we have the regatta,” says Patrick Dolhet, vice president of the organising committee for the past 20 years. “The main thing is that we have fun among friends.”

The setting certainly couldn’t be more picturesque. Located below steep limestone cliffs, Dinant – about 65km south of Brussels – is dominated by its citadel and the onion-domed Notre-Dame church. But it’s the annual tubof-war that really pulls in the crowds, attracting 20,000 spectators, some of whom come back year after year.

This year’s theme is the Olympic Games, but boats can be of any design as long as they incorporate at least one tub. Motors are strictly prohibited, as is the deliberate sinking of a rival’s vessel. The fun kicks off at 4.30pm and prizes will be awarded in several categories including speed, originality and beauty. There’s even an award for the best representation of Dinant.

Some 30 to 40 boats are expected to take part in this year’s race, although organisers are still hoping to exceed the record of 48. And if this August’s race inspires you to get involved next time round, it’s worth bearing in mind that you don’t need to be a Dinant resident to enter – although you do need to know how to swim.

Until the day of the race it’s anyone’s guess as to what gems will appear on the water. It isn’t unheard of for participants to don costumes, such as the year when a whole crew showed up dressed as Marsupilamis, the bouncy yellow and black animated creatures created by cartoonist André Franquin.

The race is held on a public holiday, so in the unlikely event of you tiring of the festivities on the water, there will be a flea market on the banks of the river and lots of live music. And if you decide to make a weekend of it, there’s plenty more to do in the area.

Don’t miss…

There’s so much to do around Dinant…

1 Les Jardins d’Annevoie 37a Rue des Jardins, Annevoie, 9797, jardins.dannevoie.be Located between Dinant and Namur, the Annevoie Gardens were originally laid out by Charles-Alexis de Montpellier in the 18th century. Still owned by the same family, the gardens combine the best of French, Italian and English styles, and boast 20 ornamental lakes and ponds. There’s also a children’s playground, making it a good choice for families.

2 Musée de la Leffe 18 Rue de Moulin, Dinant, 7583, breweryvisits.com Immerse yourself in the history of one of Belgium’s most famous beers at the interactive museum in the grounds of the Notre-Dame de Leffe abbey. Monks developed the ale here in the middle ages using local ingredients, and although all Leffe beer is now brewed in Leuven, the museum and the all-important tasting room remain in Dinant.

3 Grotte la Merveilleuse 142 Route de Phillippeville, Dinant, 2210, dinantourism.com This cave certainly lives up to its name, ‘the marvellous one’. Lined with stalactites and waterfalls, it’s considered one of Belgium’s most beautiful grottes. Conveniently located about 500m from Dinant’s train station on the left bank of the Meuse, it’s also blissfully cool, so it’s a great place to escape the summer heat.

4 Château de Vêves 5 Noisy, Celles, 6395, chateau-de-veves.be Regardless of whether or not you believe the five-tower Vêves castle is haunted, it’s well worth a visit. There has been a château on this spot overlooking the picturesque town of Celles since the 7th or 8th century, and the present structure dates back to 1410.

5 Maison Collard 24 Rue en Rhée, Dinant, 2836, couquesdedinant.com Maison Collard has been making the town’s renowned couques de Dinant (flat spice cookies made with honey and wheat flour) since 1774. There are conflicting stories about the origins of the biscuits, one being that locals used to throw stale cookies at unwanted neighbours from nearby Bouvignes. Tours of the factory can be arranged.

Leave a Reply