Traveling without a car - From Namur to Brussels

From Rops via Hergé to Folon, a fabulous artists' journey!
You start your adventure in the capital of Wallonia: Namur is the perfect city to indulge in ‘slow tourism’. In the traffic-free center or along the banks of the Sambre and the Meuse, you'll find charming restaurants and beautiful terraces. The city is a genuine invitation to explore, stroll, relax, and seek out culture. In the heart of the Vieux Namur district, the Félicien Rops Museum shows you all aspects of the work of this famous 19th-century Belgian artist.
You then leave Namur to enjoy everything that the central part of Walloon Brabant has to offer, and there you will also find the geographical center of Belgium. You visit the Abbey of Villers-la-Ville, founded in 1146. It is rightly considered one of the most beautiful architectural sites in Europe. Afterwards, you arrive in Louvain-la-Neuve, a university pedestrian city, the youngest in Belgium. It was built in the 1970s, stands out with its architecture, and will captivate you with its unique atmosphere. You certainly should not miss the Hergé Museum, which immerses you in the enchanting world of the artist and is notable for its exceptional architecture. The route continues to the valley of the Dijle and Waver. This city with a tumultuous historical past was the theater of fighting between Prussian and French troops in June 1815, as part of the Napoleonic campaign. Numerous buildings still bear traces of this armed confrontation, such as the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church, which has a pillar with a cannonball still visible. After Waver, another journey through time follows. You walk or bike to Lake Genval, a true gem with an area of 18 hectares. The lake was created in 1904 to allow holidaymakers of the time to enjoy water activities. You will surely fall for the charms of this romantic setting and the buildings from the Belle Époque.
The heritage and artistic finesse of this trip will continue to amaze you. The Solvay Regional Domain in Terhulpen, Exceptional Heritage of the Walloon Region, welcomes you in the green. In this enticing environment, also known as the park with the 1000 rhododendrons, you enjoy exuberant nature. The immense park encompasses 227 hectares of greenery and houses the Folon Foundation and the Castle of Terhulpen, built in 1842 after the model of the Loire castles. Here you will discover the many facets of Jean-Michel Folon's art in an original and surprising arrangement. After Terhulpen, you can easily reach Brussels, which is only a proverbial stone's throw away, bringing a splendid cultural and heritage journey to an end.