Location: Braine-l'Alleud
Top Things to do in Braine-l'Alleud
Top Restaurants in Braine-l'Alleud
What to do and see in Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium: The Best Places and Tips
Braine-l'Alleud (Dutch: Eigenbrakel) is a Walloon municipality in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of Brussels. The Braine-l'Alleud municipality includes the former municipalities of Braine-l'Alleud proper, Ophain-Bois-Seigneur-Isaac, and Lillois-Witterzée. It also includes the hamlet of Sart-Moulin, the inverted name of which inspired Hergé’s Moulinsart castle. The famous Lion of Waterloo where the eponymous battle took place is in the territory of Braine-l'Alleud. Bordering Flanders, the town is home to a minority of Dutch-speakers.
Restaurants in Braine-l'Alleud
1. Memorial 1815
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Buried at the foot of the Lion's Mound, the Memorial 1815 enables you to to experience one of the most turbulent times in our History... as if you were there. Dive into the heart of the battle, in a multi-sensory experience, full of special effects, the only one of its kind in Europe! 1815 m² of immersive journeying in a narrative set design which focuses on the experience of the battle! The Panorama is an impressive fresco with a circumference of 110 m and a height of 12 m, made in 1912. The painting puts you at the heart of the battle thanks to an impressive sound system. The Lion's Mound offers a unique view of the battlefield after a memorable ascent of 226 steps! As last authentic witness of the battle, the Barn of Hougoumont features a brand-new scenography made of 4 exhibition rooms as well as an impressive multimedia show.
Reviewed By SteveAussie - Surfers Paradise, Australia
Last minute European side trip where we flew here enroute from Italy to Poland for one night just to see the museum and surrounding attractions relating to Waterloo. Expense aside, so glad we did.
This museum and the Lion hill behind are very interesting to visit as is walking around the field at dusk and visiting the farm down the road and the house where Napoleon stayed the night before the battle. We didn't have time to visit Wellington's musuem back in town unfortunately.
The interactive display here and down at Chateau d'Hougoumont are very well made and interesting. The displays at the museum well thought out. The museum isn't too big that you need hours to consume and therefore kids will enjoy it. The view of the battlefield from the Lion hill is awesome. Up there you can rent virtual-reality glasses so you can get into the mood of what happened there back in 1815.
We made a special trip to the area, a 24 hour stopover and as I said so glad we did. What they have on display in this area celebrating what went on there is a credit to those who thought it all up and keep it all going. Outstanding effort and world class. And I do feel it necessary to say, I am no war tragic, someone into military attractions. But this was very cool. Again well done.
2. European Balloon Corporation
Overall Ratings
5 based on 302 reviews
Reviewed By DianeBelgium - Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
My husband and I took a balloon ride with our two teenagers in early November. We left from Enghien, Belgium and were able to see the beautiful fall colors. Benoit, our pilot, was excellent; professional, friendly, funny, knowledgeable, tri-lingual (French, Dutch, English) and most importantly, very experienced. We flew with complete confidence. This is one of those once-in-lifetime experiences and I would definitely recommend this company!
3. Maison du Tourisme de Waterloo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
4. Hallerbos – ‘'The Blue Forest’'
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 232 reviews
Reviewed By Jerry T - New York
Absolutely terrific place to jog. There are miles of trails conditioned for walking, jogging or biking. The larger trails have street names but the majority of the trails has no tagging at all, so make sure you plan your way before using the map, it could get confusing, and a wrong turn could add a couple of km to your journey.
Drive to the East entrance, where there is ample parking, at the 8 way ( yes 8 major trails leave from one point), but plan ahead as all the access roads are not always open in the weekend.
Unique is also the separation of horse trails from ten others. You can catch glimpses of gracious horse riders here and there without having to worry you will share the same space with your baby carriage and a giant trotting animal.
If you are coming from the South or West there are other parking areas as well.
5. Spa Cinq Mondes
6. Napoleon's Last Headquarters
Overall Ratings
4 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By Thebates22
Visited Napoleons last HQ Museum earlier today, great value for money (€5:00 Adults). The exhibits are laid out in a confusing manner and the complimentary multi-lingual audio headset is difficult to use (manually operated - especially for the older generation - My dad who is 79 years old). Genuine period articles, weaponry, clothing (Many owned by Napoleon himself) are located over a single floor.
Due to this layout I would say that this museum is well not suited for wheelchair users or the very infirm.
As with all museums there is the obligatory gift shop in the reception area.
Worth a visit, but I've been to better.
7. Collegiate Church of Saint Gertrude
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Reviewed By Elwing - Antwerp, Belgium
I was really looking forward to visiting this impressive Romanesque church, but I walked around it and could not find any way in. Maybe it is just closed on Tuesdays, there were signs but I could not read them as they were only in French. I tried to ask for help at the city hall, which is attached to the building, but I could not find any person who was willing to speak to me or even look at me. So I peeked trough the windows and caught a few glimpses of what looked like a wonderful old cloister.
And then I left Nivelles disappointed, musing about the pettiness of the Belgian language struggle. Tourist go home!
8. Bezoekerscentrum Beersel de Lambiek
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Vijk01 - Waregem, Belgium
De Lambiek is a small visitor's centre, not quite a museum, that tells the story of the typical beers brewn around Brussels: geuze and lambiek. The story is brought to you by a film, little quiz questions,... which makes it interactive and varied. You get a warm welcome by the staff and to conclude your visit you can taste some lambiek.A great starting point for a visit to one of the Breweries in the surroundings (although not many of them are open to the public).
9. Brouwerij Oud Beersel
Overall Ratings
5 based on 34 reviews
Brewery Oud Beersel, an authentic and independent lambic brewery which started in 1882 is located near Brussels. It is well-known for its lambic beer, brewed according to traditional brewing methods. Brewery visits are possible individually, or in a group: -without an appointment on the 1st/3rd Saturday of each month, -or by appointment in groups of 8-25 people. Tours are operated by guides of the VZW De Geuzen van Oud Beersel, and the total visit takes about 90 minutes.
Reviewed By grilango - Mexico City, Mexico
If you are Reading this it is probably because you appreciate lambic and gueze beers. No surprise - this is a great place to visit. If going simply to buy beer, you will find these fantastic beers, as well as several made by gueze blenders who use Oud Beersel lambics, at the best prices around. But the real pleasure is speaking to the owner, Geert, and his parents, who help out in the shop. Hours may change but it seems Saturday morning is the best time to visit. When I went, Geert's dad took me around for a tour of the place. They are not a family steeped in brewing, but a family steeped in drinking, and when this place went out of business they stepped in, learned how it's done, and started it up again. Kind of refreshing after visiting Brussels' Cantillon Brewery, also a great stop, but they are intensely aware of how good they are and not shy about mentioning it - constantly. At Oud Beersel, they are more humble, make great product but more than willing to talk about how they have learned and developed during the last 7 or 8 years that they have been running the place. Refreshing.
10. Kinepolis Imagibraine
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