The Meuse is at its most picturesque while crossing the province of Namur. Its powerful waters have cut a 300m-high valley before gradually lowering in altitude towards the north. The Meuse flows from south to north, like most Belgian rivers, and forms a marked bend when reaching Namur. The variety of landscapes result from varied soil. Shale-covered, wooded slopes alternate with hard rock (limestone, sandstone), whose bare stone forms a channel for the river.