Do you want to avoid the bustling city center of Brussels full of tourists and go on a discovery of the nature and peaceful sides of the city? The districts Woluwe-Saint-Pierre and Auderghem have hidden gems for a relaxing experience in the verdant colors of the trees and the smell of grass tickling your nose.
Promenade verte
Are you keen on taking some fresh air to get away from all the stress in your life? La promenade verte is a 63 kilometers long jaunt divided into 7 different sections all around Brussels where you come across various kinds of landscapes. From busy urban streets to serene rural areas and green spaces, la promenade verte has it all. Whether you prefer to stroll around by foot or by bike, the path is large enough for you to stretch your arms out and swirl around freely.
The section of the valley of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre is filled with various flora, especially Robinia trees, as they were used to fasten the railroad to the ground. Just close your eyes, take a deep breath and let the fresh air of nature fill your nostrils while the sound of rustling leaves soothes you to a peaceful state of mind.
Address: Bovenberg 2, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre
Musée du Tram
During your Promenade verte walk, you may encounter a bridge crossing a busy street. If you are passionate about old transportation methods, you can join the Museum of Urban Transport Brussels – or Tram Museum for short – by going down this bridge. It is also accessible with the tram line 39 or 44. Here you can discover the intriguing history of public transport in Brussels. Every Sunday from April to September and every first Sunday of the month for the other months, you can ride the special historical tram dated from 1935. It only rides twice a day, so be sure to catch it on time! This entertaining journey will take you along the Tervuurse Steenweg all the way up to the African Museum in Tervuren while crossing the deep green Sonian forest in between. The price depends on if you want to ride on the historical tram. Including the ride, the price is between €6 and €12, otherwise it will cost you between €4 and €8. If you already have a ticket for the museum only but change your mind, you can pay an additional €5 to hop on the historical tram. You can find more information on their official website here to find the days they are open: https://trammuseum.brussels/en/the-museum/practical-information/.
Address: Avenue de Tervueren 364, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre
Étangs Mellaerts
Woluwe-Saint-Pierre has loads of superb nature points to sit back from the stressfully busy work and study life. Étangs Mellaerts is one of those splendid places to unwind on sunny weekends or even after a long and exhausting day of work. Those days that make your head want to explode. A path running along the two ponds, you can stroll around chatting with friends, family, or colleagues
Sports enthusiasts come here to do their morning jog, families enjoy a pleasant pick-nick in the summer breeze with their little kids, sweet elderly couples walking hand in hand to stay fit, this place offers a recreative area for every age. The kids can even have a fun expedition on the small pedal boats on the ponds during summer. Benches are located around the ponds to settle onto with a thrilling book or just to savor the waterfront view with the sun warming up your skin. Plug in your headphones or relish the blissful singing of birds and the flowing water.
Address: Boulevard du Souverain 275 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre
Brasserie Mellaerts
Carving some fancy food? Grab a table at the brasserie des étangs Mellaerts. This tremendous 100 years old house has been renovated to an exquisite restaurant. This waterfront brasserie is located next to a smaller pond near the Mellaerts ponds. Dine in their luminous glass-covered veranda wrapping around the whole building or on their outside spacious terrace with a playground to entertain your children.
Their quite appetizing French cuisine has been made for years by the same top-quality chef. The modern furnished interior with black and white color-themed chairs and tables give off a rustic atmosphere which will make you feel you’re at an extravagant dinner. The brasserie is open from Thursday to Saturday from noon to 11pm, and from Monday to Wednesday from noon to 10pm. Find their menu here https://restauration-nouvelle.be/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/RN_ETANGS_MELLAERTS_MENU_PRINT-VERSION.pdf.
Address: Boulevard du Souverain 275, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre
Mini-golf des étangs Mellaerts
Searching for a place to have an amusing time with kids? Take them out to play a round of miniature golf at the mini-golf des étangs Mellaerts with 18 short golf courses with obstacles. Or you can even go with other adults, fun has no age! This golf is located in the parc of the Mellaerts ponds, which gives you a lovely view of the large pond with a variety of silly ducks and graceful swans. At the reception, you can savor a yummy ice-cream in the brisk weather as a reward after the jolly competition. The price range is €5 for children from 5 to 12 years old and €7 for adults.
Address: Boulevard du Souverain 275, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre
Château de Val-Duchesse
This mansion with numerous different architectural styles is very well-known in the area of Auderghem. Rebuilt into a princely residence in 1915, the oldest part of the building still standing dates from 1780. The interior is filled with valuable elements like green and white marble and blue ceramic tiles. Scattered over the mansion, you can find tainted glass panels adorned with old proverbs. The inside of each room has its own unique aura whenever you enter them. All the rooms have been transformed into catering and conference areas which companies can book on the website. This is certainly a rather peculiar place to hold a meeting. This place is a paradise for people with a passion for historical sites. Although Val Duchesse is open to the public only once a year, its exquisiteness is worth a visit. Take some time on the 22nd of September to visit the picturesque gardens of Val Duchesse.
Address: Boulevard du Souverain, 259, B-1160 Auderghem
Centre culturel Auderghem
This cultural center is easily accessible as it is positioned right onto the crossing of two big arteries in Auderghem, namely le boulevard du Souverain and la chaussée de Wavre. It has a diversity of entertaining programs and shows, mostly French theatre. Other than diverting acts, the cultural center offers sociocultural events for elders and the young generation with recreative workshops. This year they start with a Paris-themed season pass where the best of French theatre, like Parisian comedians, come by for seven days. Next to that, every week, they organize an activity called exploration du monde. Each week you discover an appealing new destination from around the world where guests narrate enthusiastically their adventurous experiences with marvelous imagery.
Address: Boulevard du Souverain 183, 1160 Auderghem.
Rouge-Cloître
Somewhere secluded in the middle of the mystic Sonian forest, the is an 18th-century structure reposing peacefully. An ancient priory full of fascinating history frequented by bright scholars, theologians, historians, and skillful painters. This archeological site was a significant place for art with remarkable old found manuscripts. Art workshops and museums were built to keep this artistic importance alive. Alongside all the cultural patrimony, the superb green space of Rouge Cloître is heaven for wandering on the paths around and the playgrounds for children. The monastic buildings themselves are reconstructed from well-kept sources about the abbey.
Address: Rue du Rouge-Cloître 4, 1160 Auderghem
