Discover Meise between culture and nature

Meise can be explored through two very different interests: architectural and church history, and walks through nature areas. At Plantentuin Meise, HOUTlab offers a hands-on experience centred on wood, where you can get involved yourself. Admission to HOUTlab is included in the Plantentuin admission ticket. As ticket policies may change, please check them before your visit.

Castles, churches and stories

Kasteel van Bouchout is a medieval castle in Plantentuin Meise. Its square building has an inner courtyard and old galleries at the castle entrance. The castle’s history dates back to the 12th century. Here, the structure’s form is connected with a long historical legacy.

Sint-Martinuskerk Meise also offers several perspectives on the past. It is a late Gothic sandstone church; its choir dates from the early 16th century. The church is associated with one of the most important and oldest parishes in north-west Brabant, whose history dates back to the 8th century. The church’s carillon has 56 bells and is the fourth largest in Flanders. It is played regularly by Eddy Mariën, the town carillonneur, and other carillonneurs. There are listening benches between the library and the cultural centre. Playing times may change; if you would like to plan around a concert, check the current programme in advance.

At Sint-Stefanuskerk Oppem, different eras come together: the church has been a protected monument since 9 September 1948. Its furnishings include distinctive Baroque altars, enclosed oak panelling with a built-in communion rail, a confessional and a pulpit, as well as a Romanesque baptismal font. Medieval wall paintings were discovered beneath a layer of plaster. Boskapel Imde, meanwhile, is a single-nave Baroque chapel built in 1707 as an extension to an older pilgrimage chapel; it has been a protected monument since 1952.

The history of Kasteelhof Imde can be traced through specific dates: the estate was first mentioned as ’t hof te Aerzele in 1365. The present-day building complex dates from the 17th and 18th centuries, and the square gate tower was built in 1673. The present-day farm complex Duivelsschuur also dates back to the 17th century. A local legend is associated with its name: a farmer is said to have sold his soul to the devil so that he would build a barn overnight. Molen van Amelgem, also known as Elveriksmolen, is a watermill dating from the 19th century. Its ensemble is considered a rural landscape treasure and continues to attract many artists.

Walking trails and habitats

Birrebeekvallei is the largest nature reserve in Meise. The Koesterburenpad is located in the valley area. The Beemden walking trail takes visitors through a different natural setting: between Wolvertem and Imde, it leads into the Wolvertemse Beemden area. There, the landscape is shaped by valuable alder and willow swamp woodland and wet grassland. Waterfowl can be spotted regularly; visitors may encounter Natuurpunt’s Galloway cattle in the meadows.

The d’Hoogvorstwandelpad runs through the centre of Meise and also follows attractive country lanes past centuries-old chapels. Its described route therefore differs from that of the Beemden walking trail, which leads into a nature area. For planning purposes, these offer two clear options: you can choose a route through the town centre and along country lanes, or one that leads into the Wolvertemse Beemden.

Land van Oppem offers another distinctive natural setting. The area consists of swamp woodland with a series of man-made ponds. It provides a habitat for insects and amphibians, including frogs, toads, dragonflies and salamanders. The different natural settings offer contrasting experiences: wet grassland and waterfowl in the Wolvertemse Beemden, and swamp woodland and ponds in Land van Oppem.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Meise, you can start by considering what you would like from your trip: should your stay focus mainly on architectural history and churches, or are walks and nature observation more important? The places and trails mentioned offer different thematic highlights to help you decide.

Discover more destinations: Gooik, Drogenbos, Asse, Braine-Le-Château, Machelen, Sint-Genesius-Rode, Dilbeek, Braine-L’alleud.

For the regional travel overview: Brabant.