Genval

Genval is a place in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant and a district of Rixensart. Until January 1, 1977, it was an independent municipality. Under the ancien régime, Genval was an independent lordship. Juridically, it fell under the mayoralty of Terhulpen, in the quarter of Brussels of the Duchy of Brabant. After the French invasion, Genval was classified as a municipality within the canton of Overijse of the Dyle department. This department was transformed into the province of South Brabant after the French were expelled, the later Belgian province of Brabant. In 1904, a paper mill was opened on the Lasne, which produced packaging and wallpaper. The factory saw a significant expansion after the invention of balatum in 1923 and with the production of kraft paper. Factory owner and mayor Auguste Lannoye had workers' houses built around the factory, a shooting range with a standing catapult, and the church of St. Peter of Maubroux. The paper mills were successful until the mid-1960s. After a steady decline, the factories closed in 1980 and have since made way for apartment buildings.

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