A date with Adolphe Sax in Dinant, Belgium

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Trivia: Did you know that the inventor of the saxophone came from Dinant in Wallonia, Belgium? His name is Adolphe Sax and he invented the musical instrument in 1841.


So here I am, just recently, having a quickie date with Adolphe Sax 2.5 weeks ago. Behind this bench is the Maison Adolphe Sax, the house where he was born, as well as where he grew up and lived before moving to Paris.

Adolphe Sax struggled as an entrepreneur and filed for bankruptcy twice, the latter during the French-German war when production of the musical instruments halted. He moonlights as a music teacher and musical director of an opera in Paris. Throughout his life he never saw riches. Why is it that famous inventors and artists that were born before the 20th century either died as a pauper or with just enough money to carry on a decent burial?


Adolphe Sax, the father of Saxophone.
There is a family living in the Maison Adolphe Sax building now and I wonder if they are family.


Every November, Dinant holds an ‘International Saxophone Competition Adolphe Sax’. The event takes two weeks. The street where he was born is also named after him—Rue Adolphe Sax.

Jazz wouldn’t be the same without him.

Travel Period: July 2010
Destination: Dinant (Namur), Belgium

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Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
Location: Dinant, België
Welcome to my world! After years in the fast-paced tech world, I am now in my 50s and embracing a slower pace of life in the Dutch countryside. This diary is a collection of my favorite things: the joy of country home life, my new journey into gardening, and my lifelong passion for travel. Whether I am nurturing my garden, nesting at home, or exploring places locally and abroad, I am documenting it all. Come on in. I hope you enjoy your stay!

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