Situated in the heart of Europe, a stone’s throw from Brussels, the Province of Namur, the seat of the Capital of the Walloon Region, enchants the tourist and charms the business man. Namur is a land of well-being where it’s good to be alive, travel and work; it’ a region opening up to the world.

Ideally positioned on the routes of all modes of transport, the Province of Namur has thousands of companies., mainly SME’s . The tertiary sector is important in Namur who has a vocation of center of services, business exchanges et tourism.

The Province of Namur confirms its status of center of innovation and creativity with its two universities, five colleges et the CREALYS Science Park. It has been able to position itself as a Center of Excellence in two particularly promising sectors: IT and agribusiness.

International festivals, renowned museums, magnificent castles, majestic citadels, parks, garden, valleys, traditions… the cultural assets of the Province of Namur have something to please the most demanding art and history lovers.

History
The oldest spoors of live in Namur date the Mesolithic. But the settlement extends during the first centuries AD.

Namur is invaded by the Julius Caesar’s legions, the Franks, the Carolingians, The Holy Roman Empire and know a economic expansion notably thanks to the river Meuse.

In 9th century, Namur becomes an important politic center with the Count Bérenger: growth of guilds, trade expansion, autonomy of the county of Namur.

After five centuries of war who weaken it, Namur is under the Duke of the Burgundy’s thumb. The county become next Spanish, Austrian, French, Dutch and Belgian (1830: independence of Belgium). In 19th century, Namur intensifies its vocation of administrive and politic center. Since 1996, Namur is the Capital of the Walloon Region.

Travel to City
Namur is a major node of communication. It stands the intersection of the motorway systems of North-West Europe: between North and South (Brussels-Luxemburg-Strasbourg-Basel) et between East-West (Cologne-Paris).

Namur station is the leading passenger station in Wallonia and an important freight artery (the high-speed line puts Namur within 2h16 of Paris). At the confluence of the Meuse and the Sambre, Namur is at the heart of the European networks of navigable waterways.

Population: 452.856

Area: 3.666 square kilometer

Workforce: 144.000

Economy
The economy of Namur has two characteristics:
1) Ninety six percent of businesses are SME’s and very small companies (under 5 persons)
2)Seventy six percents of the employment are in the tertiary sector (services): public administrations, non profit activities, schools, research, medical sector, social sector, tourism and culture.

Secondary sector (manufacturing) is well present: carriers and building materials (like glass), mechanic and metal constructions (shipyards), chemistry, information and communication, agro-food and wood.

There are few private and public partners of economic development:

• BEP: Office for the economic development of the province
• Scientific park Crealys
• Chamber of Commerce of the province of Namur
• NEW - Namur Congrès: office for congress and business tourism

Major Cultural Events:
International French-speaking Film Festival (September)
Média 10-10 (October)
Fairground Arts Festival (Namur en mai) (May)
International Festival of Ancient Music (June)
International Laughter Festival (May)
Festival de l’été mosan (Ancient Music) (July and August)
International Sax Festival (November)
World Youth Choir (January)
Fêtes de Wallonie (September)

Ten Major Employers and Industry:

Employer	Industry
Public administration	Public administration
Aldi Gembloux	Retail food store
Alpha Répartition	Dealer of pharmaceutical products
Kraft Foods Namur	Food factory
Saint-Gobain	Glass Factory
Carmeuse	Limestone and dolomitic products for industrial use
EPC	Dealer of pharmaceutical products
Materne-Confilux	Food factory