Discover Walloon Brabant Waterloo and Beyond
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Discover WALLOON BRABANT In the heart of Belgium Waterloo & beyond édito sommaire ISSN 2506-9748 Discover Walloon Brabant… This brochure from the Walloon Brabant Tourist Office has been produced to give you the keys you need to explore a region in the heart of Belgium that offers great variety for tourists. A visit to Wal- loon Brabant, just a few kilometres from Brussels, is a chance to relive history, soak up culture and enjoy the best that nature has to offer every day. After (re)discovering the Waterloo battlefield, its famous mound and its museums, and also Nivelles with its 1000-year-old collegiate church, or Villers-la-Ville and its Romantic ruins, you will quickly realise that all eras of history have left us with exceptional cultural heritage, from the Gallo-Roman tumulus in Glimes to the variety of museums and memorials to World War II. The white stone which characterises the old buildings in the Jodoigne region is a real gift of nature developed by the hand of man over centuries. All over Walloon Brabant in fact the stones have a ©MTBW story to tell to those who know what to look for and how to listen. Bois des rêves Walloon Brabant also has large parks and estates that are great for walks, such as the Solvay Regio- nal Estate in La Hulpe, near the Sonian Forest, or Hélécine Provincial Estate with its classic 18th-cen- tury castle. Above all, combine walks or bike rides with sampling local products, we have so many PAGE 03 PAGE 05 PAGE 09 to choose from! From Piétrain to Nivelles, fans of gourmet food will always find something to satisfy their taste buds… with, of course, a good local beer to go with it! Make the most of these unique Must sees Fresh air and outings At the crossroads moments and enjoy the gentle lifestyle! of Europe’s destinies Walloon Brabant awaits you! With the keys we are giving you today, you will feel almost at home... and yet very much somewhere different! You are very welcome here! PAGE 13 PAGE 19 PAGE 21 Heritage Unusual Land of Artists Joseph Tordoir Chairman of Walloon Brabant’s Tourist Office PAGE 23 PAGE 25 PAGE 27 Tourist office of Walloon Brabant Adventurer’s Map Culture with the family Delicious specialities Contact us: By phone: +32 (0)10 23 61 08 By e-mail: [email protected] By post mail: Place du Brabant wallon 1 – 1300 Wavre www.waterlooandbeyond.be PAGE 31 PAGE 33 Destination Brabant wallon Destinationbw Folklore and traditions Accommodation 3-4. Wavre Experience unforgettable sensations at the Walibi and 5. Helecine Must sees Aqualibi theme parks or by manoeuvring through the tree The Castle of Hélécine stands proudly in the middle of tops at the Adventure Park in Wavre. These are fully secure a 28-hectare estate. It was originally used as an abbey. environments designed for the whole family. Walk all around the estate and see geese, ducks and La Hulpe 2. Feel the excitement of one of Walibi’s 42 attractions, on one swans. Also take your children to the two large free The Solvay Regional Estate in La Hulpe, listed as exceptional of the 7 slides at Aqualibi or one of the 23 courses playgrounds or the wonderfully landscaped 19-hole mini- heritage of Wallonia, is one of the most beautiful spots for a Braine-l’Alleud Waterloo at the Adventure Park! golf course. Be charmed by the many attractions of this 1. / walk in Belgium. It includes Solvay Castle, built in 1842, and exceptional place and its activities organised throughout Immerse yourself in the heart of the famous Battle of the Folon Foundation which presents more than 500 works the season. Waterloo at the Waterloo 1815 Memorial. Enjoy a mul- by the synonymous artist. Take a walk in this wonderful ti-sensory experience that is unique in Europe and 227-hectare estate ‘of 1,000 rhododendrons’. admire the impressive view from the peak of the Lion’s Mound. For the full experience, visit Napoleon’s Last Head- quarters, Belgium’s only Napoleon museum, and also the Wellington Museum where the British army staff set up their headquarters. 9-10. Louvain-la-Neuve 6. Nivelles 9. Museum L is Belgium’s first large-scale university museum. Once you With its 102-metre long nave, two sets of choir enter its doors, you can make 1001 discoveries among the sciences and stalls and 11th-century crypt, the Collegiate arts. Museum L aims to get people to discuss its 1,500 pieces (art, artefacts Church of Sainte-Gertrude is one of the oldest from civilisations, scientific inventions) from 5 continents ranging from and largest Roman churches in Europe. Under- prehistoric times up to the 20th century, while encouraging experimentation neath it are concealed five churches and a crypt, and direct contact. Unusual discoveries and questions about the world and the largest in our regions. The underground our humanity will feature strongly on your visit... archaeological site below the main nave is 7. Villers-la-Ville 8. Ottignies 10. Walloon Brabant pays tribute to comic books… The certainly worth a visit, as well as the cloister and An enchanting place, full of magic and listed as exceptional heritage The Provincial estate of the Bois des Rêves, Hergé Museum tracks the life and work of Hergé, the central steeple which houses the bells. The little of Wallonia... Sound good to you? The Cistercian Abbey in with its 67 hectares of greenery, is a real peace creator of Tintin and Snowy, in an exceptional building. copper warrior that you will see perched on top Villers-la-Ville has been remarkably preserved since the haven, dedicated to relaxation and leisure. Discover one of the greatest artists of the 20th century of the southern turret is Jean de Nivelles, or ‘Djan 12th century. Immerse yourself in the past in the company or the A lake, health trails featuring different obstacles and learn about his story. The museum houses more than Djan’. He strikes his hammer to signal the hours monk Odelin thanks to a tablet using augmented reality that bring for exercise (also for people with reduced 80 original plates, 800 photos, documents and various and half hours as he has done for six centuries. architectural elements and people from the past back to life. mobility), a mountain biking track for the more items from this multi-talented artist. Hergé takes his nom Enjoy a 180° panoramic view over the whole Abbey and admire sporty types and a playground for children aged de plume by reversing his initials: RG, for Georges Rémi. the beauty of the five gardens with very different styles. The shop 2 to 13 all await you. offers a wide choice of local products. PAGES 03//04 Hundred-year-old trees Fresh air and outings On the edge of the Sonian Forest, the Solvay Regional Estate is a beautiful site with 227 hectares of greenery. Also known as “the park of 1,000 rhododen- drons”, it is considered one of the most beautiful spots for walking in Belgium. Take the time to wander along the footpaths, shelter under the tall trees or sit by the lakes... Take a good look and enjoy the views... ©MTBW Preserved estates Time will stand still in this wonderful peace haven, the Bois des Rêves. This little green paradise is perfect for relaxation and fun. Be blown away by the tranquillity of this place and enjoy the many kilometres of signposted Take a breath paths, the closed-loop mountain biking of fresh air! route or the health trails. Kids will also love the playgrounds. We are spoilt in Walloon Brabant by the varied and pretty landscapes. Whether in the forest, through fields, woodland or large green ©MTBW expanses, you will be able to visit charming places away from the crowds. The Castle of Hélécine, set in a beau- tiful 28-hectare estate, has plenty of space to enjoy a variety of activities: walks, a small animal park, playgro- unds, mini-golf… The site hosts many events throughout the year and also has a small restaurant where you can prolong the moment and enjoy the view. PAGES 05//06 ©MTBW ©MTBW More private spots Our top 3 wonderful walks Walloon Brabant also has plenty of more discreet, lesser known places. One of the great things about our region is that we have large natural spaces while still being close to big urban centres. Recharge your batteries however you like in these various green spaces or beside the water... Walk from Rosières Fields and white village In the heart of Villers of Mélin Dodaine Park in Nivelles, a former On the edge of Rixensart woods, A wonderful place, you can’t not This 6km walk, departing from marshy zone, has been nicely laid out departing from Rosières, this 8km fall in love with Mélin, this char- the splendid Villers-la-Ville Abbey, and is now a beautiful reserve with walk takes you to discover Genval ming white village in the east takes you through woods and English and French gardens and many Lake, one of Walloon Brabant’s of Walloon Brabant. This 9km fields and offers nice viewing statues. It has a large rectangular most beautiful gems! A lovely walk will take you on the trail of points from the top of the slopes ornamental lake as well as a natural green setting with a romantic feel, Gobertange stone and offer pano- by the Thyle river. lake. When the sun is at its highest this this place is perfect for an unfor- ramic views over this beautiful place is full of picnickers, and then is gettable moment of relaxation.