If you're passing through Louvain-la-Neuve, don't miss its university museum! It's Belgium's very first large-scale university museum. 3830 m², spread over 6 floors, are accessible to the general public. The Musée L has a total of 20,000 works, 1,500 of which are exhibited. These works come from all 5 continents and cover a wide period, which goes from Prehistoric times to the 20th century.Crossing the threshold of the Musée assures you a wealth of encounters with the worlds of science and the arts. The Musée L seeks to breath life into the dialogue between works of art, artefacts from ancient civilisations, the inventions of science, while prioritising experimentation and direct contact with the works.

The 'Bois des Rêves' is a haven of peace for young and old in the centre of Walloon Brabant. 67 ha of nature devoted exclusively to leisure, to be enjoyed as your heart desires … Those who like walking and cycling have 17 km of waymarked paths and trails to explore. Children will love the huge playground designed specially for them with safety in mind.Athletes can check out the closed-circuit mountain bike track or try to best the 15 obstacles on the 1500 m health trail.Persons with reduced mobility have not been forgotten, a 500m health track with 9 obstacles has been designed specially for them.From April to November, the pond is open for fishing.The "Bois des Rêves" … An ideal spot for a get together of family and friends.

The Water and Fountain Museum is currently an outdoor museum, undergoing transition. Part of its collection can be viewed for free in the Bois des Rêves.The museum invites classes and families to discover the wonders of water, the source of life... Listen for the babbling of the fountains in the “Fountain Enclosure”, opened for the museum’s 30th anniversary. You will learn how everything works such as the pumps, wells, Archimedes’ screw and other machines related to water.

The Hergé Museum in Louvain-la-Neuve is a fascinating picture of the life and work of Hergé, the father of Tintin and Milou.More than 80 original drawings, 800 photos, documents and various objects have been collected in this audacious palace of light and magic.Its architect, Christian de Portzamparc, a poet of volumes and space, dreamed of an exceptional building for an exceptional heritage.Surprises are guaranteed with the multi-talented artist: graphic artist, publicist, caricaturist, script writer and painter in his leisure time, Hergé was all that and moreDiscover the fabulous career of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century.

Louvain-la-Neuve lake has seen some changes since it was created in 1984. Originally created as a stormwater basin and for fishing, this lake is located in Walloon Brabant’s newest town and is very popular with all. A little haven of greenery in the heart of an urban area, this is a great place to recharge your batteries. You can admire the delightful plants along the banks of the lake as you take your walk or run. Picnics, disc golf, playing on the grass or sitting with a book, there are many ways to enjoy yourself here!

The 1st French Army Museum at Cortil Noirmont is set in the classrooms of the former school where, in May 1940, a Moroccan regiment decided to base its headquarters due to the combat that was breaking out in the region. The teachers were asked to evacuate...The museum looks back at the operations carried out in 1940 by the French army in Belgium through numerous military artefacts. On display are weapons, ammunition, uniforms, documents from the time, maps, etc. You can learn about operations undertaken by the Belgian, French and British armies as part of the “Dyle manoeuvre”. The French army fought heroically there. It is also possible to combine visiting the museum with visiting the necropolis and battlefield.

Exceptional listed Walloon heritage, the Villers-la-Ville Cistercian Abbey is remarkably preserved since the 12th century!Explore its reception-shop area with a wide choice of local products, its interpretive centre and its tour itinerary. Get a panoramic 180° view of all the Abbey. The Abbey has 5 gardens of very different styles. The Jarden des Simples of Medieval inspiration and the Jardin des Moines have medicinal plants from yesteryear and today. The Jardin de la Pharmacie and the Jardin de l'Abbé are two ornamental gardens. The fifth Abbey Garden touches the senses and the olfactory one in particular.Also visit the micro-brewery and the vineyard.With the family of friends, explore Villers-la-Ville Abbey, its architecture, its history, its gardens and its animals!

On June 15th 1815, the Duke of Wellington decided to establish his field hospital at the farm of Mont-Saint-Jean. During and after the battle of Waterloo, near 6000 soldiers were treated there.This former, hardly ever sanitized hospital is now a museum. Discover the work of surgeons in times of war, the surgical instruments used, the weapons, uniforms, ammunition ... with an impressive recontextualisation of the facts.Stories and illustrations of the work of the Scottish surgeon Charles Bell, present at the site in June 1815, are also on show.The broader history of the farm is also presented. More than eight centuries old, it was occupied by the Order of Malta, turned into a farm and housed a brewery. Take the opportunity to enjoy the Waterloo beer, brewed on site.

Le Mémorial 1815 regroupe 4 activités sur un seul site, le Champ de Bataille de Waterloo 1815 !

Mémorial :
Enterré au pied de la Butte du Lion, le Mémorial vous permet de vivre une des époques les plus tourmentées de notre Histoire ... comme si vous y étiez. Guidé par un soldat de votre armée favorite, vous découvrez la mécanique qui conduit inexorablement au coeur de la bataille, dans une expérience multisensorielle unique en Europe! Pendant 15 minutes, vivez les phases clés, en taille réelle: sur un écran 3D, panoramique de 25 mètres de base, dans une salle truffée d'effets spéciaux!

Panorama :
À côté du Mémorial 1815, le Panorama, vaste bâtiment circulaire, abrite la toile peinte par Louis Dumoulin en 1912 pour la célébration du premier centenaire de la bataille. Cette gigantesque fresque atteint les dimensions spectaculaires, dignes de son sujet éminemment dramatique : 110 mètres de circonférence sur 12 mètres de haut.

Butte du Lion:
Cette butte de 40 mètres fut érigée à l'endroit présumé où le Prince d'Orange (1792-1849) fut blessé avant de devenir Roi des Pays-Bas (de 1840 à 1849). Du haut du tertre, le regard embrasse l'ensemble du Champ de bataille et il est alors facile de se rendre compte de ce que purent être les formations en carré de l'infanterie ou des déploiements de la cavalerie. Une table d'orientation indique les positions défendues aux différentes étapes de la bataille.

Ferme d'Hougoumont:
Cette ferme fortifiée fut le cadre de combats meurtriers. Position avancée protégeant l'aile droite des alliés au même titre que la ferme de la Haie-Sainte et la ferme de Papelotte, Napoléon y déclencha l'action le 18 juin vers 11h30. Ce qui ne devait être au départ qu'une manœuvre de diversion est devenu le point le plus violent de la bataille. Les assauts français y furent terribles et vains. On s'y battit férocement jusque vers 19 heures. Le verger et le jardin changèrent sept fois de mains tandis que les bâtiments restèrent aux mains des 1 500 soldats de la coalition. Le corps de logis fut incendié. La maison que l'on voit aujourd'hui est l'ancienne maison du jardinier. Victor Hugo lui a consacré deux chapitres dans son ouvrage Les Misérables.

Lieu emblématique de la bataille de Waterloo. Cette ferme fortifiée fut le cadre de combats meurtriers. Position avancée protégeant l'aile droite des alliés au même titre que la ferme de la Haie-Sainte et la ferme de Papelotte, Napoléon y déclencha l'action le 18 juin vers 11h30. Ce qui ne devait être au départ qu'une manœuvre de diversion est devenu le point le plus violent de la bataille. Les assauts français y furent terribles et vains. On s'y battit férocement jusque vers 19 heures. Le verger et le jardin changèrent sept fois de mains tandis que les bâtiments restèrent aux mains des 1 500 soldats de la coalition. Le corps de logis fut incendié. La maison que l'on voit aujourd'hui est l'ancienne maison du jardinier.
Victor Hugo lui a consacré deux chapitres dans son ouvrage Les Misérables.


Une nouvelle scénographie époustouflante. La ferme d' Hougoumont fait partie intégrante du ticket combiné Mémorial 1815 et renferme depuis le 18 juin 2015 une scénographie inédite: 4 salles d'exposition ainsi qu'un spectacle multimédia impressionnant!

Heures d'ouverture et accès:
Fermée en semaine du 06/01 au 22/02
Ouverture sur demande 48h avant.
Ouverte les week end.

Site web:
www.waterloo1815.be/presentation-memorial-waterloo-1815/

The Renipont reserve is located near the municipalities of Rixensart and Lasne. Listed as a Wetland Zone of Biological Interest since 12 June 1997, the site covers an area of 5 hectares and includes wet meadows, ponds and marshland.

The Solvay Regional Estate in La Hulpe is affectionately called the "Park of a thousand rhododendrons", and is one of the loveliest places for a stroll in the country.Lawns, woods, rhododendron beds, and remarkable varieties of trees enhance some 227 ha. This magnificent wooded park just outside Brussels boasts paths around and over tree-lined hills and ponds with exceptionally rich animal life.It is also home to Béthune castle, built in 1842 using the Loire castles as a model, and its French gardens with decorative sculptures.

The Folon Foundation, located just a few minutes from Brussels, was imagined and created by the Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon who presents some 40 years of his creativity. More than 500 of his works are on display in 15 rooms dedicated to the museum in the La Hulpe Castle farm on the grounds of the gorgeous Solvay Regional Domain.The exhibit shows multiple facets of Jean-Michel Folon's art: watercolours, silk screens, etchings, posters, re-interpreted objects, stained-glass, sculptures …In a very original presentation; the museum conducts a surprising tour as the artist opens the book of his life… Films, sound and visual effects enliven the interactive display. After your visit, enjoy the 227 hectares of the Solvay Regional Domain to wander around the lovely grounds and ponds that are the home of exceptional animal and plant life.

Set in magnificent, green surroundings, Genval lake is located around 20 km to the South of Brussels. In addition to delightful country walks, the lake promises a range of exciting leisure activities such as sailing and canoeing. The waterside restaurants offer visitors the opportunity to combine culinary pleasures with the quiet and relaxing atmosphere of this enchanting site.

The Archery Museum has been set in a tower since 1928 to allow for popinjay (very handy in winter!). This tower has two perches which are the last covered perches still in use in Wallonia.The museum looks back at the use of the bow from prehistoric times up to modern day and the emergence of vertical popinjay as a leisure activity. You will find models of traditional, pulley and Japanese bows as well as different types of arrows.Come and have a go at vertical or horizontal popinjay! All the equipment is provided.