DINANT, an ancient town in the province of Namur, Bel gium, on the Meuse, with the station and the suburb of St. Medard. Pop. (193o) 7,003. As early as the 7th century it was a dependency of the bishopric of Tongres. From the loth century to the French revolution it was a fief of the prince-bishopric of Liege. In 104o a castle was built on a rock dominating the town. In the 15th century, with a population of 6o,000, and 8,000 workers in copper, Dinant was one of the most flourishing cities in Walloon Belgium until it incurred the wrath of Charles the Bold. In 1466 Charles, in his father's name, laid siege to Dinant, and carried the place by storm, killing most of the combatants. In 1675 Dinant was taken by Louis XIV., and remained in French hands for nearly 3o years. The citadel on the cliff, 30o ft. or 408 steps above the town, was fortified by the Dutch in 1818, but was dis mantled later. Half way up the cliff is the grotto of Montfat, i3th century. The church of Notre Dame (13th century) stood im mediately under the citadel, flanking the bridge, and was a re markably complete illustration of Gothic architecture with a curious slate-covered spire shaped like a long pumpkin. Dinant was practically destroyed in August 1914 during the German invasion and 67o of its inhabitants were shot, but since 1918 it has been largely restored. The present prosperity of Dinant is chiefly derived from its being a favourite summer resort. It is also a convenient central point for excursions into the Ardennes.