A family weekend
in Walloon Brabant

It’s so nice, sometimes, to decide a last minute break, just to escape a hectic routine and relax as a family. In other words – to relax your batteries ! This is how we decided, on a Friday afternoon we jumped on the train for a delightful weekend away…

We had two criterias for the destination: not too far from Brussels (to have more time on site) and activities we did not need to book beforehand.

We decided on the Walloon Brabant region, which offered a fantastic program: a stroll at the Helecine castel followed by a night in Waterloo for the Saturday, a visit of Villers-la-Ville abbey on the Sunday.

Architecture, treasure hunting, shopping, a fantastic restaurant, soothing green spaces: in just two days we stocked up of amazing experiences and really disconnected from daily life.

Day 1 : Waterloo and Hélécine castle

We left on the Saturday morning and headed for Hélécine castle, impatient to explore its 30 hectares designed for endless wandering. Perfect to play with the children!

First was a walk along the three fishing ponds. The path is partly sheltered by trees and comes with countless encounters with ducks, geese and swans, swimming peacefully. Further along the way, we found an enclosure with goats.

© WBT - Bons Baisers d'Aurélie

Our steps take us to a vast wooden play area and its bouncy castles. The boy’s glee was immediate – they immediately ran towards it.

We – the parents – settled for the guinguette overlooking the scene and a refreshing drink while we watched them play. The nearby picnic tables proved perfect to unpack our lunch before exploring another side of the park.

After a joyful long walk, we jumped back into the car and drove to Waterloo. A town, two atmospheres: we divided in two groups. One went to play ball in the nearby park, the other shopping, a real pleasure in this rather green town.

The day concluded on a feast at Biwouwag, a delicious food market. Time to go to our family room at the Côté Vert hotel!

Day 2: a visit of Villers-la-Ville abbey

A resting night, a royal breakfast at the hotel and we continue our journey towards Villers-la-Ville and its abbey. We had only seen pictures of this majestic site – would you believe me if I told you it is even more impressive in reality?

© WBT - Bons Baisers d'Aurélie

From the last turns of the road, we could already see the peaks of its impressive architecture. The kids are in awe. So are we.

Built at the beginning of the 12th century, the abbey has known a number of transformations through the centuries and integrated many architectural styles. In 1796, the monks were forced to leave, the site was ransacked and partly demolished. It slowly fell into ruin, nature started reclaiming it. It’s only from 1830 that the site attracts the first tourists. It then will be renovated, little by little, consolidated into wat now is an open air museum, a testimony to 800 years of history.

© WBT - Bons Baisers d'Aurélie

Faced with such greatness, we felt very small. The parc invites to slow down, there are picnic tables in the shade of the trees. We unpacked our feast. In the distance, come the sound of a choir, rehearsing in the nave. Like true adventurers, we explored the buildings, finding our way to the roofs, down to the caves, sit to admire the work of the ancient builders. A peaceful, contemplative time.

What a discovery ! We then left the abbey, walked to the nearby Villers-la-Ville tourist office to be handed an adventure bag. With this, we take a stroll in the countryside, between woodlands and orchards, to look for “the recipe of joy”. In the kit are objects handy to solve playful riddles. The children guide us along the treasure hunt. There also is an envelope for parents, to be opened in case of emergency only with the answers to the enigmas and the location of further ones. We only got to use it once!

A 2 hours hike later, the treasure found, we sat down at a terrace behind the abbey for well earned ice cream.

It’s been fun, very much fun, but it’s time to go back to Brussels, happy to have gathered more family memories, lived more adventure. A well packed, varied, yet relaxing weekend between the Villers-la-Ville abbey, Waterloo, Hélécine castle, proving once more the best holidays don’t need to be far away!

Absolute must-do with children during a weekend in Walloon Brabant

Our favourite addresses

Hotels with family rooms (for 3 or 4) in Walloon Brabant:

• Hôtel Côté Vert, Chaussée de Bruxelles 200 G, 1410 Waterloo

This is where we stayed. The room was spacious, comfortable and overlooked the garden. The buffet breakfast offered a wide choice of option and you can sit on the terrace, in the shade of a large tree to enjoy it.

Kids friendly restaurants in Walloon Brabant:

• Bivouwag (Chaussée de Bruxelles, 216, Waterloo) : This food market comes with 4 different kinds of cuisines in a cheerful, well decorated setting: burgers and fries, pizza, Indian street food, dim sum. There is something for everyone.

• La Popote (Rue de la Station 113, 1410 Waterloo) : Local, seasonal cuisine. This restaurant offers simple but delicious options for lunch.

• Boucherie/charcuterie Maison Courtain (Avenue Arsène Tournay 40, 1495 Villers-la-Ville) : A great butcher selling charcuterie, and the best place to pick up terroir products for your picnic.

Les informations pratiques