Traveling without a car - From Namur to Brussels

From Rops via Hergé to Folon, a fabulous artist's trail!
You begin your adventure in the capital of Wallonia: Namur is the perfect city to indulge in 'slow tourism.' In the car-free center or along the banks of the Sambre and Meuse rivers, you will find charming restaurants and beautiful terraces. The city is a direct invitation to discover, 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, where 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. You then 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 entice you with its unique atmosphere. You must not miss the Hergé Museum, which immerses you in the captivating world of the artist and stands out for its distinctive architecture. The route continues to the valley of the Dijle and Wavre. This city, with a tumultuous historical past, was the scene of battles 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 where a cannonball is still visible. After Wavre, another journey through time follows. You walk or bike to Lake Genval, a true gem covering 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 journey will continue to amaze you. The Regional Domain Solvay in Terhulpen, Exceptional Heritage of the Walloon Region, welcomes you amidst nature. In this enticing environment, also known as the park with 1000 rhododendrons, you can enjoy abundant nature. The immense park encompasses 227 hectares of greenery and houses the Folon Foundation and the Château de 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 display. After Terhulpen, you can easily reach Brussels, which is just a proverbial stone's throw away, bringing an end to a magnificent journey of culture and heritage.