Film Hector (Urbanus)

This motor route takes you through the picturesque Pajottenland, a rolling region in Flemish Brabant just southwest of Brussels. The area is known for its winding roads, historical square farms, expansive meadows, and the heritage of Flemish film and culture.

Start: Café De Rustberg (Remco Evenepoel Supporters' Local)

Location & Region: Schepdaal (Dilbeek).

What to see: This iconic café on the climb of the Rustberg is home to the supporters' club of cycling phenomenon Remco Evenepoel. It is the perfect place to start your engines with a coffee amidst cycling memorabilia, right in the heart of the Flemish outskirts.

22 km | Statue of Urbanus

Location & Region: Tollembeek (Galmaarden).

What to see: Through winding roads in the quiet Pajottenland, you arrive at the village center of Tollembeek. Here stands the bronze statue of the famous Flemish comedian Urbanus, sitting on a bench. An ideal stop for a quick photo opportunity.

44 km | Café In De Oude Smis Van Mekingen

Location & Region: Mekingen (Sint-Pieters-Leeuw).

What to see: An authentic folk café located in a former smithy. The area around Leeuw and Mekingen is characterized by open farmland and old agricultural houses. The café exudes nostalgia and offers a traditional Pajots regional beer or artisanal gueuze.

48 km | Film 'Hector': Café with the big chocolate

Location & Region: Sint-Martens-Lennik.

What to see: Lennik is the central heart of Pajottenland. In the center lies the village square where scenes from the classic film Hector (with Urbanus) were filmed, including the well-known café where Hector drank his gigantic cup of hot chocolate.

49 km | Urbex: The old paper factory

Location & Region: Denderleeuw / Okegem (border zone Pajottenland - Dender region).

What to see: Just over the edge of the hills towards the Dender valley lies a dilapidated industrial site of a former paper factory. From the road, you can see the weathered brick facades and rusted structures that are loved by urbex photographers. (Note: the site itself is private property).

57 km | Film 'Hector': The Bakery

Location & Region: Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Lennik.

What to see: You return to the narrow backroads of Lennik. Here you pass the building that served as the bakery of the character Achiel in Hector. The landscape here is typically Pajots: gently rising and falling roads lined with pollarded willows.

69 km | End point: Film 'Hector': The House

Location & Region: Balthazar / Schepdaal (Dilbeek).

What to see: The route ends close to the starting point. In this quiet neighborhood stands the characteristic house that was used in the film as the home of the family. You conclude the ride in a green, residential area that represents the transition between the rural Pajottenland and the Brussels outskirts.