Green Belt - day 3: from Tervuren to Grimbergen

The Warande Park of Tervuren was once the hunting ground of the Dukes of Brabant. Today, it is a graceful walking park with a neoclassical French garden, ponds and beech and oak trees many of which are over 200 years old. At the edge of the Park, the imposing AfricaMuseum can be found.

Eye-catcher!

One look at the AfricaMuseum will take your breath away for a moment. Leopold II had it built at the beginning of the 20th century by Frenchman Charles Girault, designer of the Le Petit Palais museum in Paris. After a renovation taking no less than five years, the grandeur of days gone by was given a modern touch. Top architect Stéphane Beel designed the glass reception pavilion. From here you walk through an underground gallery to the renovated building. Five thematic zones offer you a fresh, contemporary view of proud Central Africa.

Did you know that the AfricaMuseum just celebrated its 125th anniversary? It opened its doors in 1898 in the Colonial Palace of Tervuren, which quickly became too small for the impressive collection. During this anniversary year, an extra-large number of activities and experiences are planned. Don’t miss out!

It’s as if you can touch them, so low do the planes roar above your head in Steenokkerzeel. On the spotter platforms along the approach routes, there are always a few spotters waiting to photograph that one special aircraft. Watch video.

The last few kilometres take you through the Floordambos of Melsbroek, via the Zenne and the Verbrande Brug in Vilvoorde, until Grimbergen once again comes into view. A long cobblestone road leads you to the Tommenmolen. This old water mill is part of the MOT, the Museum for Old Techniques. The terrace beckons, but will you perhaps make a quick visit to the Fenikshof and the microbrewery of the Norbertines first?

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