Walloon Brabant

At only a few kilometres from Brussels, you will discover the province of Brabant Wallon. Here is a quick guide on what to visit.

Waterloo

300,000 visitors annually are attracted by this name, which became legendary for the famous Battle of Waterloo in 1815, which saw the defeat of Napoleon. 238,000 fighters battled it out for over eight hours, leaving behind over 9,500 dead and 32,000 wounded. This event resonated throughout the whole world.

Today,right next to the battlefield, Waterloo is a vibrant small town about twenty kilometers from the capital. By visiting this rather high-end suburb, you can meet the bronzed youth at the pavement cafés in the "triangle of Waterloo,"… a triangle composed of three bars! More seriously, the Wellington Museum, in reference to the Duke of Wellington, victor of Waterloo, will tell you everything you need to know about this amazing man.

In front of the museum you can admire the royal chapel and its baroque style. And if your children are with you, don’t miss the wax museum. It presents the key players in the battle of Waterloo… made ??of wax. They are so well done that you'll want to shake their hands!

Don't miss the famous Lion of Waterloo. From here you will have an amazing view over all the surrounding countryside, well worth the 226 steps you have to climb to reach the top!

This epic tale of interest to you? Take a walk on the battlefield and you will understand the reasons for the defeat (or victory, depending on your camp) that changed the history of Europe.

Each year on June the 18th, a
reconstruction of the battle takes place here andattracts a bigger crowd every year…


Nivelles

Close to Brussels, at just half an hour away, Nivelles invites you to travel from the Middle Ages to the present. The old abbey city attracts many tourists. Did you know that the collegiate St. Gertrude is one of the oldest and largest Romanesque churches in Europe? The interior is more than 100 meters long!

Extend your visit by going to the local museum of Archaeology, Art and History located at the corner of Brussels Street and the Rue des Gunners. Strolling through the medieval streets of Nivelles, look up and see the architecture of these old mansions.

For lovers of architecture, continue your visit by going to the Grand Place. Here you will discover the neo-gothic courthouse.


Louvain-La-Neuve

As its name suggests, Louvain-La-Neuve is a new city (neuve means ‘new’ in French). It is also coupled with Ottignies, a provincial town that came to grace with the construction of the railway.

In the 70s, due to problems between the Flemish and French speaking communities, the Catholic University of Louvain decided to find a new home to welcome its french speaking faculties. The Mayor Ottignies then proposed the plateau of Lauzelle, 920 hectares of fields and woods. The first stone of the new town of Louvain-La-Neuve was laid February 2, 1971 by King Baudouin.
In October 20, 1972, the Catholic University of Louvain welcomed its first students on a site still under construction. Today, nearly 30,000 inhabitants including 20,000 students enjoy Ottignies / Louvain-La-Neuve, a city with modern architecture and a friendly atmosphere.


Lac de Genval

This is our little favourite!
Lac de Genval (Genval Lake) is the perfect place to spend a few hours in a country setting, peaceful and located less than 25 km from Brussels. Enjoy lunch in one of the restaurants around the lake and enjoy water sports or a walk in beautiful surroundings. Before arriving in Genval, don’t miss the visit of the magnificent Château de La Hulpe, formerly owned by the wealthy family Solvay. Afterwards, a stroll through the beautiful park is a real treat!