Bayard is the name of a horse found in the legends of Charlemagne. This talking horse was given to the four sons of Aymon by Charlemagne. Although looking like a normal horse, Bayard had the ability to stretch its back to accommodate all four of the sons of Aymon. Bayard was also known for possessing great speed. To win the horse, it was necessary to conquer him by force or skill, this rendering him tame and docile.
Outside of the city is a rock, called 'le rocher Bayard' (the Bayard rock). It stands completely separated from the rest of the main rock of which it obviously used to be a part. The Rocher Bayard was separated with an explosion to provide passage for the French troops of Louis XIV after they had taken Dinant. However, popular belief has it that the rock was split by the hoof of the giant Bayard Horse, when it jumped from here over the Meuse river. The Bayard horse is a legendary animal from the story of the four Aymon Brothers. These four brothers were on the run for Charlemagne and escaped through the Ardennes sitting on the back of the Bayard Horse.
