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 Opens in new windowBruxelles Environnement (FR/NL), the regional administration in charge of managing parks and green spaces.

Although it is accessible to all, it is the first enclosed public garden designed and fitted out for the visually impaired in the Brussels-Capital Region, allowing them to move around in complete autonomy.

It is on the senses of smell (fragrant plants), hearing (games and water elements), touch (characteristic plants) and taste since some plants are edible.

The walk, which lasts approximately one hour, is facilitated by changing, contrasting (visually impaired) and indicative surfaces (touch-sensitive tiles) as well as by open and closed spaces, in particular by the presence of vegetated pergolas. The park is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Audioguides in 4 languages are available to visitors who have previously requested them from the Green Spaces department.

A stone's throw from the Royal Estate of Laeken, the Gardens were born from the will of Leopold II: they once housed the king's florists and horticultural workers.

Integrated into the royal parks and gardens of Laeken and property of the Royal Donation, the Florist's Gardens were created by Brussels Environment to make it a place for experimentation and exhibition of rare plants and a showcase of its know-how in management of parks and gardens. The various gardens that make up the park today reinterpret the historical character of the site and bring it a refined modernity, while respecting the strictest ecological standards. The highlight of the visit, the balconies underline the panorama that stretches from Notre-Dame de Laeken to the Palais de Justice. Guided tours and events are regularly organised.

The renovation of the Jardins du fleuriste took into account the needs of people with reduced mobility. However, the presence of shavings in the undergrowth makes it difficult to travel in a wheelchair in this part of the park.

The first permanent garden of modern sculptures in Brussels, at Louvain-en-Woluwe campus.

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...

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.

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.

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.

Sheep, chickens, donkeys, rabbits, kitchen gardens workshop, organic gardening... For everyone.