The 17 essential things to do in the province of Walloon Brabant

A trip to Belgium? Plan to visit the province of Walloon Brabant and its dazzling sites!

South of Brussels , the capital of Belgium, extends a region that deserves all your attention. The Walloon Brabant is the smallest province in the country.

However, there is no lack of appeals or stories to tell. Let him tell you the most exciting events in his past.

He will also take you to meet his natural, artistic and entertaining heritage. It is therefore a whole program that awaits you during this Belgian stay.

Find out what to do in Walloon Brabant thanks to our selection of activities. Let's go!

1. The Abbey of Villiers-la-Ville

Halfway between Brussels and Charleroi, Villiers-la-Ville houses an architectural treasure: its abbey. It is undoubtedly among the excursions to be made in the Walloon Brabant. Built in the 12th century, it was the home of the Cistercian monks. Today, only its walls testify to the greatness of the place.

The abbey seems illuminated by divine light when the rays of the sun cross its openings. Also stroll through its gardens classified as Parcs and Jardins de Wallonie.

2. The Waterloo Memorial Museum

Visit the province of Walloon Brabant invites you to dive into its military history. For this, go to the Museum of the Battle Memorial of Waterloo 1815.

A key place for Napoleon's wars, Waterloo proposes to return to this episode through a playful journey. Scenes, 3D film and animations retrace the event by relying on the work of passionate researchers.

3. The Butte of the Lion

Alongside the Waterloo Memorial, the Butte of the Lion is launched in the sky. If you feel attacked, climb the 226 steps.

They will lead you to 40 meters above the battlefield. This small hill is surmounted by a lion sculpture. The animal represents the allied and victorious monarchies against Napoleon I.

The butt was ordered to commemorate the injury inflicted on the Prince of Orange of the Netherlands during the battle.

4. The farm of Hougoumont

The ferus of History should be filled with this outing. The farm of Hougoumont is probably the most important place of the day of June 18, 1815.

The English and French troops fought precisely here. And the least we can say is that the battles were unheard of violence.

The buildings were practically reduced to nothing. Rediscover the decisive moments by following the track punctuated with multimedia documents and media.

5. The farm of Caillou

To visit the Walloon Brabant province and to know its history, the Caillou Farm is an essential stop. The building was requisitioned by Napoleon I to install its headquarters.

He spent the night of June 17-18, 1815, before the crucial confrontation. You will see the emperor’s camp bed, weapons and testimonies.

6. The park of the Château d’Hélécine

Are you wondering what to do in the Walloon Brabant province? We recommend a walk in the park of this XVIII century castle.

Although the monument is not open to the visit, its exterior is worth the trip. You will enjoy your legs around the four beautiful ponds. The children, they, will marvel at the animals at liberty.

To be determined : An archaeological interpretation museum (the MiaBW) is located in the park. Exhibitions, lectures and simulator of excavations should delight more than one.

7. The Hergé Museum

If you eat The Adventures of Tintin This trip is yours! Hergé Museum, author of the famous comic strip, is located in Louvain-la-Neuve.

You can admire the permanent and temporary exhibitions around Georges Remi’s work and life. For if you didn’t know, Georges Remi is the real name of Hergé. This museum will captivate both the small and large with its various supports.

8. The L Museum

Don't get away! A 10-minute walk from the Hergé Museum, the L Museum offers an artistic stop. The collections of the University of Louvain are ideal for visiting the province of Walloon Brabant in an unexpected way.

In this recently opened museum, dialogue is at the heart of the museum design. Attend thematic guided tours. They take the curious as close as possible to the works, their discovery or their creation.

In order to make them dialogue, you may be surprised by their cohabitation. These works are not placed according to their time or origin, but according to their interaction.

An emotion, for example. Sometimes little obvious at first, the guides put you on the path.

9. The domain Solvay

About 15 kilometers from Brussels and Wavre, La Hulpe unveils its peach: the Solvay estate. If you don't know what to do in the province of Walloon Brabant, we suggest a small tower in this park of 227 hectares.

Three trails allow you to explore the area classified as an exceptional heritage of Wallonia. Forêt de Soignes, ponds and gardens take you to a bucolic journey.

At the heart of the estate, you will meet the castle of La Hulpe, former residence of Count Solvay. Like that of Helecine, he does not visit.

10. The Folon Foundation

The Solvay domain is open to art. During your walk, make a stop at the castle farm and discover the work of the artist Folon. 500 sculptures, paintings and various works are highlighted.

Folon himself designed the scenography to offer you the most logical and playful experience possible. The exhibition in its entirety is accessible to persons with disabilities.

The funds collected are intended to continuously improve the reception of all audiences.

11. The collegial Sainte-Gertrude

One of the must-sees in the province of Walloon Brabant is the visit of the Sainte-Gertrude collegiate. This magnificent monument is considered one of the largest Romanesque buildings in the world!

You have an architectural masterpiece before you. Built in the 11th century on the foundations of ancient churches, the collegial owes its name to its first abbess.

Gertrude was the daughter of Pepin the Old, and therefore of the same family as Charlemagne. During your exploration you can admire the nave, the cloister and the basement revealing the archaeological excavations.

Outside, a detail may have asked you. In the south turn is hanging a strange character. It is Jean de Nivelles, or Djan Djan, a copper automaton that hits the bell every hour.

12. The castle of Rixensart

Although the seigneury existed since the Middle Ages, it was only in the seventeenth century that the castle took the look that it knew.

Walls made of bricks, slate roofs, windows and loggias make it unique. Know that it is still inhabited by the family of Mérode. The castle is only open upon reservation from spring to autumn.

After this Romanesque release, you will certainly not regret visiting the province of Walloon Brabant.

13. The Wellington Museum

Let’s go back to the Battle of Waterloo with one of the key characters, the Duke of Wellington.

Leader of the British troops, he led his soldiers to victory after bloody fighting against Napoleon I. The museum circuit invites you to see the scenes of the war on the other side of the mirror.

In this old hostel, you will have the opportunity to discover the Duke’s room and different rooms. You can follow the events to the triumph!

14. The caves of Folx-les-Caves

To visit the province of Walloon Brabant in the middle, a visit to the caves of Folx-les-Caves is required. It is more precisely in the commune of Orp-Jauche that you will have to go.

A few meters underground hides an unsuspected world. The caves open to the public are on a surface of six hectares. A real labyrinth was discovered by the Racourt family after an earthquake in the 19th century.

The date of construction is not known. However, it is known that these cavities were dug by man’s hand several centuries ago.

In turn, they served as a shelter in the event of war, as well as a tool warehouse and as a mushroom. Adventure in the caves for a trip to the inside of the earth!

15. La ferme de Mont-Saint-Jean

"A stop in Waterloo," tell us! "But what to do in the province of Walloon Brabant apart from talking about the battle? »

This time, we offer a totally different, more gourmet step. The farm includes a micro-brewery, a restaurant, a micro-distillery, a museum... Let's confess, the museum is about the war.

However, the micro-brewery will invite you to explore other facets of Waterloo, including its beers. The city has been known for its drink since the 15th century.

If the micro-distillery has further paved your curiosity, observe the distillation of gin and whisky.

16. The Château de Bois-Seigneur-Isaac

Last castle of our selection, Bois-Seigneur-Isaac charms the eyes. The old medieval fortress turned into a pretty house in the 18th century.

The castle has been listed on the Wallonia Heritage List since 1993. It is true that its beautiful facades, its imposing wooden staircase and its beautiful library deserve to be lingered.

Enjoy a guided tour on open doors or Heritage Days. You can also make an appointment all year round.

After this trip in time, extend the pleasure in the park. This one covers seven hectares of land! French gardens and English gardens share this infinite exterior.

17. Walibi

Visiting the Walloon Brabant province without passing through the Walibi box is certainly unthinkable for children! Adventure trails, rides and attractions will decorate you.

This is the time to make the full of more or less strong sensations. Between the 50 animations, everyone will find the one that corresponds to the heart of this vast park.

A single record: get out and have fun until exhaustion! A sensational day is announced during your stay.

How to get to the Walloon Brabant province?

Did you spot what you wanted to do in the province of Walloon Brabant? All you have to do is organize your trip.

By car

If you leave Paris by car, drive to Wavre, the provincial capital. Borrow the highway A1 , then A2 . At the Belgian border, you will follow the road E19 , and finally N25 . 314km separate the two cities. So count about 3h travel.

By train

A train escape is not much longer than by car. From Paris, you will have to take a correspondence for Wavre. The trip lasts between 3h and 3h30 .

By plane

Want to fly? Fly to Brussels, then take the train that will take you to Wavre. The plane is, in our view, not the most interesting option since Paris because we must count on 5h . On the other hand, we recommend it if you leave Bordeaux, Marseille and Toulouse. With the site Skyscanner , you will certainly find the best offers for your trips.

Where to stay in the Walloon Brabant province?

Before visiting the Walloon Brabant province, put your suitcases in your accommodation. By lodging to Wavre , Nivelles or Louvain-la-Neuve , you will be near the sites not to be missed.

Would you like to book a hotel? One night in Wavre costs on average 80€ . To make the right choice, you can use a Compare hotels . If you prefer to rent Airbnb , you will find whole accommodation located in Wavre for 50€ at night.