Location: Louvain-la-Neuve
Top Things to do in Louvain-la-Neuve
Top 10 Things to do in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Louvain-la-Neuve (French pronunciation: [lu.vɛ̃.la.nœv], French for New Leuven) is a planned city in the municipality of Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, situated 30 km southeast of Brussels, in the French-speaking part of the country. The city was built to house the Université Catholique de Louvain; following the linguistic quarrels that took place in Belgium during the 1960s, and Flemish claims of discrimination at the Catholic University of Leuven, the institution was split into the Dutch language Katholieke Universiteit Leuven which remained in Leuven, and the Université Catholique de Louvain.
Restaurants in Louvain-la-Neuve
1. Herge Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 614 reviews
Just outside of Brusells, continue the celebration of cartoons at the Herge Musee (Herge Museum). The museum is dedicated to the creator of Tintin, following him and his life, including his personal experiences.
Reviewed By Steeve P
Tintin is undoubtedly the most famous Belgian in the world. In Louvain-la-Neuve, a student town less than one hour by train from Brussels, there is a Tintin Museum (called "Hergé Museum"). It's only a seven or eight-minute walk from the train station. It isn't the best museum on the planet, but it's new, well-designed, and there is a lot to discover about the different albums of Tintin and his creator, the Belgian Hergé. The souvenir shop at the ground-floor is great too. If you are a fan of Tintin, you shouldn't wait to pay a visit to this museum!
2. Aventure Parc
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
Reviewed By pgb2pgb - Brussels, Belgium
My wife originally found this Park, it's set about 20 minutes drive outside of Brussels in a lovely forest area. It's an activity park where you can climb amongst the trees, using specially designed courses to suit your abilities (yellow, green, red, black). The climbing courses are for all ages from 5 years upwards. You start off on the easy courses before building up to the more adventurous ones (which get higher and more active). Safety is 100% assured, you are supplied with a set of overalls (to keep your clothes clean), gloves (if required), a climbing harness (fitted by the staff), plus a safety line that allows you to go round each course (keeping you from falling if you slip).
The safety line hooks onto the start of each course, then as you move around it follows you (you also have to slide it past catch points on the sections in the course to ensure you don't get stuck). Even if you loose your footing all is okay as you are held in place by the safety line. Most courses are a mix of tunnels, zip wires, climbing nets and walkways... all suspended high up above the ground in the trees. the park has been built ecologically with flexible fittings to the trees so that they are not damaged and the courses can be adapted as the trees grow (no nails or bolts hammered into the trees).
We started off in the sun and then it rained, but being under the trees it didn't matter that much. The thrill of climbing around was great, plus the variety of different challenges made it exciting. The courses are open to both adults and kids, with the red/black courses limited to children above a certain height (but both our children aged 7 & 12 really enjoyed the green, red and black courses). Kids can climb without adults (if you don't feel adventurous enough to join them), but you do have to follow them on the ground level. Staff are all around on the ground to advise and help if anyone gets stuck.
They have their own car park (free), which can take all types of vehicles (cars, buses, vans etc). You have changing rooms to get into your overalls, plus lockers (1€ returnable with key). The staff are very friendly and speak different languages, so english is no problem. There's a cafe which offers standard food like burgers, hotdogs and sandwiches, etc plus coffees, chilled drinks and ice creams (you can sit inside or out as per the weather). If you want something more then you can also try the restaurant nearby outside of the park.
It was great value compared to other adventure parks, costing 27€ per adult and 23€ per child (above 7), plus kids from 5-6 years are 19€. You can spend as long as you like at the park, we went at 10.30am and didn't leave till 4.30pm, so it was a full on day out. We only left as everyone was getting really tired due to the climbing and walking around.
Overall I'd recommend it as an 'active' day out, wear good shoes (with grips), plus loose clothing for under your overalls so you can flex easily. We also took our own gloves (as they fitted well), but sun glasses are not recommended as the can fall plus you are amongst the trees so not really needed (if you wear glasses then take a neck line). Also get a good nights sleep beforehand as you will need all your energy for the climbing. Dogs are not allowed, but there is a public park opposite the entrance where you can walk your dog, etc.
Our favorite bits were the zip wires which are great fun... we will be going again... hopefully to try the evening climbs at night which also look great fun...
3. Bois des Reves
Overall Ratings
4 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By Maciej B - Brussels, Belgium
This place, around 40 km from Brussels, offers many possibilities of having joy if the weather is nice. I'm not familiar with the way it works but given the small prices it must be state-owned or at least financed. You pay 1-2 EUR for parking. The playground (huge and well preserved) is free of charge. The pool (we did not try but it looks nice) costs 1,5-2,5 EUR depending on the age. Besides you can find there a BBQ facility (upon earlier reservation), a pond where you can fish, walking and biking routes. The only small problem may be the food. You can easily get some snacks and drinks but if you intend to stay long there you'd better take something with you. There is one cafe with light dishes but it was closed on the day we were there - perhaps it was because it the national celebration on that day. But since the rest was working it was a bit strange.
4. Abbaye de Villers
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 310 reviews
Villers Abbey (abbaye de Villers) is an ancient Cistercian abbey located near the town of Villers-la-ville, 50 minutes from Brussels. Founded in 1146, the abbey was abandoned in 1796. Most of the site has since fallen into ruins.
Reviewed By Iweinvanaalst - Herentals, Antwerpen, Belgium
The Cistercian abbey of Villers was founded in 1146 and flourished particularly in the thirteenth (first golden age) and eighteenth (second golden age) century. The complex was sacked in 1789 and 1794 before permanent abandonment in 1796.
The visit starts with a small museum with touch screens and a scale model. Next up you can discover the ruins with the help of information panels and reconstruction drawings. The latter are most useful since the topography of the area has changed (construction of streets and a railroad) and several buildings have been altered or demolished (home and infirmary of the converts, dormitory of the monks).
An audio guide is available for people with a deeper interest in the history of the abbey and the life of the monks.
Three reasons to visit the site :
Villers is a fine example of a Cistercian abbey. The typical layout is easily recognizable and numerous thirteenth century structures have been preserved. Highlights include the home of the guests, the church, the refectory of the monks, the cloister and the prison.
The atmosphere is serene and peaceful despite the vicinity of a railroad and streets. You can relax in the sun with a book or enjoy a family pick nick.
The ruins are very picturesque. A lot of people seem to come here to take photos. We noticed several marriage couples, Goths and even some fashion models !
PS :
Honor and praise to management and staff for their efforts to make the site accessible for disabled people (installation of lifts) and for their language skills (multilingual audio guide, shopkeeper fluent in dutch) !
5. Golf du Bercuit
Overall Ratings
4 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By PhotographyCG - Brussels, Belgium
The exhibition has been prolonged until December 31st thanks to its success!!!
Chantal Guillaume shows her collection ‘The World of Golf’ at the Golf du Bercuit in Grez-Doiceau (Belgium) during the entire Summer.
Viewing the official pictures of last year's British Open edition that took place on the mythical Old Course at Royal & Ancient St. Andrews in Scotland, is always a pleasure for any amateur.
The visitor of the exclusive exhibition ‘The World of Golf’ will have the opportunity to enjoy pictures, some even unpublished, of the world's top golf players competing during the British Open 2010. (i.e. Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington, Phil Michelson, Sergio Garcia, …)
The exhibition also presents a ‘Scenic Holes’ section, which invites the visitor to dream away while viewing some of the most well-known European golf holes. (n° 18 Old Course R&A St. Andrews, n° 5 Bercuit, n° 10 Etretat, n° 7 Royal Ostend, n° 12 Cannes-Mandelieu Old Course, …)
Chantal Guillaume studied photography at the Sint Lukas Academy Brussels. In 2009 she obtained a 3rd place award in the international competition ‘About Golf’ with the photograph ‘Putting Green K Club Smurfit course’ and won the major competition ‘Small Patrimony’ organized by Brussels Capital in 2010 with ‘Red Doorknob’.
As an official reporter during the British Open 2010, some of her works were published to high lighten the press articles on this topic.
She of course had more works published, most of them regarding travels throughout the world, as well as graphic views of architecture and portraits of the management of important companies.
It concerns an exhibition that no amateur golfer would want to miss, eventually combined with a nice round with business partners on the technical Golf du Bercuit course.
www.chantalguillaumephotography.jimdo.com
6. Beer Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By Daniel19721972 - Leuven, Belgium
positif: large choice, served in the correct glass. Negatif: extremely loud music which makes it difficult to talk to each other.
7. The VEX
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Looking for different activities? Do you have enough cinemas, bowling, escape rooms and other classic activities? Come discover with family or friends our activities 3.0 with many experiences in virtual reality! Immerse yourself alone or simultaneously in the same virtual environment. Live in group epic moments ... Amusement and adrenaline guaranteed! Come with your friends to play and discover the Virtual Reality (VR) ! In the center of the city, our facility is designed to give you the best experiences possible. We have 3 kind of rooms : -Social (up to 4 players): 1VR device, 3 joysticks, 1 couch -Arcade (up to 2 players):1 or 2 VR devices -Multiplayer (up to 4 players): 1 to 4VR devices, 3 joysticks, 2 couches
Reviewed By Jean R - Brussels
We went in family for a nice evening. Nice welcome. The activity was fun. The games are interesting ans diverse. Unfortunately, during the activity we inadvertently broken one manette. It cost us 150€. No insurance were offered beforehand.... so sad experience for us at the end. Too bad.
8. Walibi Belgium
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Kouider_milan - Milan, Italy
If you are in Brussels you can spend the day with the family there.
Price are quite expensive for day ticket in case you are planning to go with family go for family pass so you can enter anytime with the entire family.
When you buy tour ticket pay already for your parking to avoid big line.
Make sure that you have some sun because if it will be raining you will not enjoy that much.
You have several choice of restaurant but i suggest you to bring with you fresh sandwiches
9. Foundation Folon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 235 reviews
Reviewed By Normadroaming - London, United Kingdom
This place is a gem of Brussels suburb.
Without cars, it is bit difficult to reach, however, as long as the weather is good, this is a nice place to walk and enjoy the air, scenery and some arts.
They have a good cafe with Terrace.
Great place fro picnic even for non art lovers.
10. Bois de Lauzelle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Steeve P
The best place to have a walk in Louvain-la-Neuve is undoubtedly around the lake. No one will argue about that! The second best place is the Bois de Lauzelle. It is a lovely wood ("bois" in French) in the north of Louvain-la-Neuve. Ideal for walks and runs all year round, but most enjoyable late spring and during the summer, it is home to a small monastery called "Clerland", where students or anyone who wants a few days of peace can rent a room.
On weekends, meditation workshops (zen days) are also organized. Pierre de Béthune, the leading monk, is involved in interfaith dialogue. He has lived in a zen monastery in Japan for several years. He leads small meditation retreats there, in the heart of the Bois de Lauzelle. I warmly recommend you this meditation workshop. If you aren't into meditation, no problem, you can still enjoy the beautiful wood, for a walk, a jog, a bicycle ride, a picnic or any activity of that kind.
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