The smallest province in Belgium, Walloon Brabant lies south of the capital Brussels. If the destination is perfect for getting away from it all and reconnecting with nature, it also reveals a rich heritage, which deserves the full attention of visitors. Castles, abbeys, dynamic cities and small towns of character, architecture lovers have plenty to delight their desires of escapades under the sign of beautiful stones. Not to mention that Walloon Brabant is easily accessible by car, motorcycle, but also on foot or by bike, with a multitude of itineraries that invite you to open your eyes wide. You can also take the time to discover the gastronomy. Restaurants and other stores are waiting for the walkers to delight their taste buds with some specialties and live a stay where all the senses are awakened.
Discovering the heritage in Walloon Brabant, the places not to be missed
During a stay in Walloon Brabant, you can't miss its monuments and cities. The adventure can start on the incredible site where theabbey of Villers-la-Ville is located. Classified as an exceptional heritage of Wallonia, the monument has its origins in the 12th century and was the residence of Cistercian monks. Today, only its walls remain to testify to its former grandeur and importance, but the walk is divine especially when the building is bathed in sunlight. A platform is also accessible from the smartphone to relive the abbey as it was in the Middle Ages. A visit to this exceptional site also includes a walk through the vineyard of Villers-la-Ville, the abbey's vineyard. This is an opportunity to taste the red and white wines of the eponymous appellation. Unless you prefer to try the Lumineuse, the Ténébreuse and the Dom Placide, beers available at the microbrewery of the Hostieux, installed in the old laundry of the Abbey, south of the mill.
Want to see castles? Walloon Brabant has several jewels to discover. The castle of the Counts of Hornes in Braine-le-Château is a private property still inhabited. Built in the 13th century, this defensive monument was redesigned during the Renaissance to become a pleasure castle. Guided tours allow you to enter the park to admire its beautiful appearance, which lies in the middle of the water. Another marvel to discover, the castle of Rixensart is located on a promontory of the Lasne valley and impresses with its red bricks, its loggias and its mullioned windows. The interior is rich in relics of the past and a refined décor. Later, a visit to the castle of Bois-Seigneur-Isaac allows to admire a medieval fortress which was transformed into a beautiful residence during the 18th century. This marvel of the municipality of Braine-l'Alleud enchants with its French classical style façade, its library and its imposing wooden staircase. The visit includes a stroll in its French park extended by an English garden. Another beautiful castle is also surrounded by an impressive park. It is the castle of Hélécine, a former abbey founded in the 12th century by the Premonstratensians and which today catches the eye with its neoclassical style architecture, with a 300 m² dome whose dome reaches 27 meters high.
And then, how can we mention the unmissable monuments of Walloon Brabant without mentioning the collegiate church of Sainte-Gertrude in Nivelles? This emblematic monument of the charming Brabant city is considered as one of the most beautiful Romanesque buildings in the world. Built in the 11th century, its nave, its cloister and the discoveries of archaeological excavations in the basement never cease to fascinate the curious. Moreover, one should take advantage of being in Nivelles to stroll in its historical center. You will be struck by the charm of each street and alley and the atmosphere of a city in the country. The collegiate church is also visible from the Parc de la Dodaine, a superb green setting where it is good to have a picnic in the shade of a tree, before taking a walk around the lake.
Louvain-la-Neuve is another city in Walloon Brabant from which one can quickly escape for a walk in the middle of nature. This student city is a good example of a new university city. Architecture lovers will be delighted to discover a wide range of styles. Places such as the Halles Universitaires, the Saint-François church, the Place des Sciences, the Aula Magna and the Hergé Museum are reflections of a heritage that is eclectic.
A multitude of ways to get to the must-sees and to get off the beaten track
Walloon Brabant is a Belgian region which, because of its size, invites visitors to easily move from one place to another. By car or by motorcycle, everyone can concoct his or her own program to see the elements of the heritage and unmissable cities. For example, you can follow the footsteps of the monks and knights by starting the route with the abbey of Villers-la-Ville and continuing the other days with Nivelles and medieval Braine-le-Château.
But Walloon Brabant also proposes to take the paths on foot to get off the beaten track and to meet the nuggets of the territory. For example, a walk in Nodebais allows you to discover a village with large square farms and typical Brabant farmhouses. In the Hesbaye, a natural region of Belgium that passes through Walloon Brabant, you can also take a walk leading to the Saint-Martin church of Tourinnes-La-Grosse, a marvel of pre-Romanesque and Romanesque architecture in Wallonia. During a stroll in the Hesbaye countryside, you will discover other remarkable buildings, such as the Saint-Corneille chapel and the Rond Chêne farm. Still in Hesbaye, another walk leads to the hamlet of Herbais, where the superb Gothic chapel of Saint-Catherine is located.
With the arrival of spring, all the conditions are met to ride a bike through Walloon Brabant and discover its heritage. Here too, there are many possibilities. You can pedal on the bicycle network circuit between the must-see places such as the abbey of Villers-la-Ville and Braine-le-Château, as well as do the grand tour of Walhain and discover unusual heritage elements such as the mill of Tiège and the tumuli of Libersart, ancient Gallo-Roman tombs. The nice walk around the municipality of Genappe is quite short, but it allows to cross not less than four villages, Glabais, Ways, Bousval and Baisy-Thy. You can also stop in front of the chapel of Try-au-Chêne, a small isolated 17th century building that seems to watch over the surrounding woods and fields.
Note that with the label "Bienvenue vélo", cyclists have the possibility to stop in structures (bed and breakfast, etc.) offering them adapted and highly appreciated services.
Rejuvenate with local gastronomy
A trip to Walloon Brabant to admire its heritage is also an opportunity to discover local specialties. In Nivelles, you must try the Tarte al Djote, a savory pie made of fermented cheese made from skimmed cow's milk, chard, eggs, parsley, onions and butter, a delight! Near Braine-le-Château, the helicicultural farm l'Escargotière Saint-Véron reveals the secrets of snail breeding and offers two Sundays a month snail-based dishes at the table d'hôtes. On the sweet side, the proposals are numerous, but let's mention for example the Lothier's pie made with sugar, eggs, rice semolina flavored with crushed bitter almonds, delicately placed on apricot marmalade. It is available in several shops in Genappe
