Parks and gardens
They include Tenbosch, Jean-Félix Hap, Faider, Buchholtz and Egmont, to name but a few. The Region has also established 14 nature reserves and two woodland reserves, including Moeraske, Poelbos, Marais de Ganshoren and Vallon du Vuylbeek. Home to the Region’s emblematic iris, various species of orchid, bats, amphibians, reptiles (including grass snakes!), ducks, kingfishers and one of the last colonies of hares in Brussels.
A good source of information online is the site of Bruxelles Environnement (FR/NL), the regional administration in charge of managing parks and green spaces.
Jardin des sens (Sensory garden) in Anderlecht
This park is specially designed for visually impaired people. It provides them - and anyone else - with a chance to discover various plant species thanks to audioguides and paths marled in Braille. There is a greenhouse that hosts aducational activities connected to the garden.
Open Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm.
Visit with audioguide available by advance reservation from the Division des Espace verts of the commune of Anderlecht.
Rue de Neerpede 187, 1070 Brussels
Phone: +32 (0)2 523 45 54
Email: espacesverts@anderlecht.irisnet.be
Jardins du Fleuriste (Florist Gardens) in Laeken
This space was where the horticultural workers and florists who worked for King Leopold II used to live. Today the area has been converted into a demonstration garden, and the aim is for it to be the Centre bruxellois pour les arts et techniques du jardin (Brussels Centre for Horticultural Arts and Techniques).
Visitors can admire a great variety of plants, as well as various eco-friendly gardening techniques.
Guided tours and events are organised on a regular basis.
Avenue Sobieski, 1020 Brussels
Online: www.jardinsdufleuriste.be (FR/NL)
Jardins des Sculptures (Sculpture Gardens) in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert
The first permanent garden of modern sculptures in Brussels, at Louvain-en-Woluwe campus.
Online: www.md.ucl.ac.be/celil/jsc.html (FR)
Statues of traditional trades at the Sablon
In the Middle Ages, artisans were grouped into corporations. In the 18th century, 48 of them were recognised by the city of Brussels. They are represented by bronze statues all around the Petit Sablon square.
Here we can make out a tailor, a blacksmith, a haberdasher, a shoemaker, a cobbler, a fishmonger, a silver and goldsmith, a miller, a tapestry-maker, a butcher, a coppersmith...
Square du Petit Sablon
Rue de la Régence, 1000 Brussels
Parc Georges Henri in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert
This 3.90ha park was developed on the site of deconsecrated Etterbeek cemetery. Tombstones not claimed by the families of the deceased were used to pave the paths. The two obelisks at the park entrance also come from the cemetery.
A garden of scents has been specially designed to accommodate people with reduced mobility.
Square Meudon, 1200 Brussels
Parc Léopold
Located in the European neighbourhood, Parc Léopold first opened to the general public in 1851 as a zoological garden.
The bear cages and the lion pit are long gone, however. After the zoo went bankrupt the upper park was sold to the Belgian state, which opened the Natural Science Museum there. The park accommodates several other buildings, including the old Solvay library, which is now used as an events venue.
It is also home to a majestic Oriental plane and, if you look closely, a small house flanked by a tower – all that remains of Eggevoord château.
Place Jourdan and Rue Belliard, 1040 Brussels
The Open-air Theatre in Parc d'Osseghem
A corridor of copper beeches leads the way to a glade where you’ll find an open-air theatre designed by Jules Buyssens. Holding up to 3000 people and boasting excellent acoustics, the theatre hosts concerts, fairs and festivals in the summer.
Avenue de l'Atomium, 1020 Brussels
Urban farms
Sheep, chickens, donkeys, rabbits, kitchen gardens workshop, organic gardening... For everyone.
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Learning farm in Parc Maximilien
Quai du Batelage 21, 1000 Brussels
Online: www.lafermeduparcmaximilien.be (FR) -
Uccle's Farm (next Parc Fond'Roy)
Online: www.tournesol-zonnebloem.be (FR/NL) -
'Chant des Cailles' Farm
Avenue des Cailles, 1170 Brussels
Online: chantdescailles.be (FR) -
Children's farm in Jette
Petite rue Sainte-Anne 172, 1090 Brussels
Online: fermepourenfantsjette.be (FR)
Vertical garden
The façade of this office building on Rue Belliard has been transformed into a vertical garden. The concept was developed by botanist Patrick Blanc. A metal frame grafted onto the wall holds the support for the moss and plant roots. A network of pipes supplies the greenery with the nutrition it needs to grow. The vertical garden covers 600 sq m of wall.
Rue Belliard 14, 1000 Brussels
