Namur Nature Festival: nine days where nature takes center stage
Every autumn, there is a precise moment when the valley shifts gears. Mist settles over the Meuse at dawn, beech trees turn a coppery hue, and nature—the very nature observed all summer from the edge of your terrace—suddenly becomes a subject viewed in a new light. That is exactly when Namur turns on the spotlights.
From Saturday, October 10 to Sunday, October 18, 2026, the Walloon capital hosts the 32nd edition of the Namur International Nature Festival. It offers nine days of films, photography, lectures, and walks, spread across two iconic venues: Le Delta, in the heart of the city, for film screenings; and the Citadel, overlooking the city, for exhibitions and the “Nature Village.” Ranked among the top five European festivals of its kind, the event takes place just a 45-minute drive from the Bonsoy Bungalows.
Here, we provide everything you need to plan your visit down to the last detail: what to see, what costs money, what is free—and how to turn this outing into an autumn getaway by the Meuse.
A festival born of a conviction: nature deserves the big screen
The Namur International Nature Festival—known to regulars simply as FINN—is built on a simple yet enduring idea: nature imagery is not merely a backdrop; it is a narrative. For over thirty years, the event has brought together filmmakers, photographers, naturalists, and enthusiasts for four international competitions: photography, amateur films, professional films, and ultra-short films.
The figures for the 2026 edition illustrate the high standards involved. The photography contest received 4,238 entries, yet only sixty will make up the official exhibition at the Citadel. As for the film categories, the amateur film jury met at UNamur’s Quai22 cinema to evaluate a selection that the organizers themselves describe as being of exceptional quality.
A nature festival does more than just showcase beautiful animals. It teaches us how to look: the framing, the patience, the light waited for three mornings in a row. We leave with our eyes seeing things a little differently.
The 2025 winners set the standard: the Photography Grand Prix went to Alex Pansier for Flock of Gold, and the Professional Film Grand Prix to Jaguar Beach by Ann Johnson Prum. Suffice it to say, people don’t come here to see merely “nice” images; they come to see the very best in global wildlife photography and documentary filmmaking.
Two venues, two atmospheres
Le Delta: The Film Hub
Located on Avenue Fernand Golenvaux in the heart of Namur, Le Delta hosts all festival screenings from October 10 to 18. With its main auditorium, filmmaker Q&A sessions, bar, and cinema atmosphere, it serves as the hub for evening events. Each standard screening session features two films, allowing you to travel from one continent to another in a single evening.
You can reach Le Delta on foot from the Namur train station in about twenty minutes, by bus (getting off at the “Pont de France” or “Place d’Armes” stops), or by car via the Confluence Interparking facility. Free bicycle parking is available nearby.
The Citadel, the photography hub, and the Nature Village
Located along the Route Merveilleuse at the top of the city, the Citadel becomes the festival’s beating heart from Wednesday, October 14 to Sunday, October 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It hosts the Nature Village—featuring partner booths, activities, workshops, and talks—as well as all the photography exhibitions.
The outdoor trail features six open-air exhibitions, on view from October 10 to 18: the prestigious International Photo Contest, the AgriNature & Youth Grant exhibition, and three guest exhibitions—the Festival Photo Montier Photo Contest, Alpine Ibex from the Chamonix Photo Festival, and the Visit Wallonia exhibition. A photographic journey along the ramparts, spanning local nature and vast landscapes from around the world.
Good news for your budget: access to the Citadel, the Village Nature, and the exhibitions is completely free, as is the Esplanade car park. You can also get there by cable car or shuttle—an approach we highly recommend if you are discovering Namur for the first time, and one we previously mentioned in our guide to the Namur Citadel.
How much does it cost? Price details
The festival has made a rare choice: the majority of its activities are free. Admission to the Nature Village, indoor and outdoor exhibitions, lectures, and nature walks—there is no charge for any of these. Only film screenings and gala evenings require a ticket.
| Option | 2026 Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nature Pass | €40 | Choice of 6 screenings (excluding galas and lectures); also valid for reruns of award-winning films, the closing night event, and reruns of amateur films |
| Standard screening — adult | €8 | Two films per screening |
| Standard screening — child | €4 | — |
| Standard screening — Article 27 | €1.25 | — |
| Family screening | €4 | Booking required via the box office |
| Gala evening | €18 | Screening + cocktail reception; booking required; not included in the Nature Pass |
| Photography workshops | €25 to €60 | Price set by the organizing host, independent of the festival |
| Nature Village, exhibitions, lectures | Free | — |
Online ticketing is open and remains the most reliable option, as some screenings sell out quickly. A physical box office is also located at Le Delta, open weekdays from 1:00 PM to 8:30 PM and weekends from 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM during the festival. Please note: no tickets are sold at the exhibition venues at the Citadel. Electronic tickets can be presented on a smartphone; no need to print them.
A nod to early risers
The first 50 festival-goers to arrive at the Delta’s physical box office will receive a special “Red Deer Rut” tour, courtesy of the Domaine des Grottes de Han. It makes for a wonderful addition to your stay with us during this time, as the sound of the rut echoes through the nearby forests—something we highlighted in our article on the red deer rut around Houyet and Han-sur-Lesse.
Key highlights of the program
- Saturday, October 10 — Opening gala at Le Delta.
- Monday, October 12 — Nature and Forests Department symposium (registration required).
- Wednesday, October 14 to Sunday, October 18 — Nature Village at the Citadel, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., free admission. Each partner with a stand is hosting a contest with prizes to be won daily.
- Thursday, October 15 — Environment Focus: film screenings followed by discussions.
- Throughout the week — Children’s cinema, school screenings, lectures, photography and watercolor workshops, and nature walks (booking required; most are free).
- Sunday, October 18 — Re-screening of award-winning films (announced on Saturday, October 17), followed by the closing event.
Twenty-one exhibiting photographers will also be present: twenty-one distinct worlds, twenty-one ways of viewing the natural world.
An ideal day: the festival and the valley
Here is the day we recommend to our guests—designed to let you enjoy the festival without missing out on the beauty of autumn in the Meuse Valley.
Morning — the Meuse before the city
Set off from Bonsoy at a leisurely pace. The October mists over the Upper Meuse are worth the trip in themselves; the route via Waulsort and Dinant treats you to a stunning succession of golden limestone cliffs. Plan a coffee stop in Dinant—the town is just fifteen minutes away—and take the opportunity to pick up some Couques de Dinant.
Midday — The Citadel and its Nature Village
Head up to the Citadel in the late morning and park for free on the esplanade. Allow a good two hours for the outdoor photography trail, then let yourself be drawn into the Nature Village—a spot where children love to linger among the stalls, workshops, and contests. It’s the perfect place to grab lunch without having to head back down.
Afternoon — The Old Town, then the Delta
Take the cable car back down; the view of the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers is one of the finest in Wallonia. After a leisurely stroll through Namur’s narrow streets and a spot of tea, you’re just a short walk away from the Delta.
Evening — two films and the journey back
Book a late-afternoon or early-evening screening: two films, often followed by a Q&A session with the directors. The drive back to Hastière takes 45 minutes—headlights cutting through the night, your mind filled with the images you’ve just seen. A fire, a cozy blanket, and the evening winds down in the peaceful atmosphere of the estate.
Why October is the best month to visit
We often tell our guests: autumn is the valley’s most underrated season. The sites are uncrowded, the colors are magnificent, and major cultural events take over from the summer activities. After the Fêtes de Wallonie in September and Heritage Days, the Namur Nature Festival rounds out the region’s autumn trio of events.
And if the festival inspires you to move from images to reality, the region is perfectly suited for it. The Aquascope de Virelles is the ideal spot to try your hand at bird photography; the Furfooz Nature Reserve boasts one of Wallonia’s most beautiful river bends in October; and you don’t even need to leave the estate, as shown in our Bonsoy bird-watching guide.
For this type of stay—early mornings, binoculars on the table, and silence all around—we recommend Serenity, the one among our three bungalows that most readily blends into the natural surroundings.
Practical information
- Event: 32nd Namur International Nature Festival (FINN)
- Dates: Saturday, October 10 to Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Film Venue: Le Delta — Avenue Fernand Golenvaux 18, 5000 Namur
- Photography & Nature Village Venue: Namur Citadel — Route Merveilleuse 64, 5000 Namur (October 14–18, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
- Prices: Nature Pass €40 · Screening €8 (adult) / €4 (child) / €1.25 (Art. 27) · Family screening €4 · Gala €18 · Nature Village, exhibitions, and lectures are free
- Online Ticketing: shop.utick.net — Box office at Le Delta, 081 98 09 82
- Official Website: festivalnaturenamur.be
- Contact: info@festivalnaturenamur.be — +32 81 43 24 20
- Distance from Bungalows du Bonsoy: approx. 45 minutes by car
- Parking: Citadel Esplanade (free) · Confluence Interparking (for Le Delta)
Nine days, and the whole valley to explore
A nine-day festival is an invitation to stay longer than just a single evening. Settle in for a few nights by the Meuse River: you’ll have time to catch a screening at Le Delta, spend a morning at the Village Nature, take a misty walk, and enjoy a wood fire at the end of the day.
Our three bungalows—Birdy, Woody, and Serenity—await you at the Domaine du Bonsoy in Hastière. October dates fill up fast: book your stay now and treat yourself to an autumn that feels like a beautiful documentary—only you’re the one starring in it.
