Discover Nivelles

Nivelles combines an impressive cultural history with park landscapes and distinctive routes through the city. Those looking for a holiday apartment for their trip can combine different holiday interests here, including historical discoveries, walks, a short cycling tour and a traditional procession.

Church history and historical landmarks

The Tour Simone is a striking remnant of the former city fortifications. It is the only surviving part of Nivelles’ former city walls and makes the town’s historical development visible in a specific structure.

The collegiate church of Sainte-Gertrude is at the heart of the town’s religious history. Its defining features include a 102-metre-long nave, two choirs facing each other and an 11th-century crypt. Archaeological excavations beneath the collegiate church also uncovered five churches built between the 7th and 10th centuries. For travellers who want to explore architectural history beyond a single period, this site therefore offers several different historical layers.

The Musée communal d’Archéologie, d’Art et d’Histoire de Nivelles offers another perspective. It is housed in the former refuge of the Trinitarian priory of Orival, an impressive 18th-century residence. This allows a museum visit to be combined with an interest in a historic building, without limiting the cultural experience to a single subject.

Tour Sainte-Gertrude and living tradition

The Tour Sainte-Gertrude is a procession in Nivelles and is recognised as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of the French Community. During the Tour Sainte-Gertrude, the reliquary of Saint Gertrude is pulled by horses on a 15th-century triumphal cart. The procession includes a 14-kilometre route following in the footsteps of the abbesses and choir nuns.

This information can help with personal travel planning: you can get to know Nivelles primarily through its church and museum history, or focus on the procession and its long route. Accommodation in Nivelles is therefore particularly suitable for a trip in which cultural impressions and physical activity are deliberately combined.

Parks, water and walks

Parc de la Dodaine offers a different experience. There, you can stroll among works of art. The park includes a French garden, an English garden, two ponds and flower beds along the paths. It also has a lake covering several hectares. Fishing is permitted at this lake from April to December.

Parc de la Dodaine therefore offers various ways to spend your time: you can combine a walk with art, view the garden areas and ponds, or take the fishing opportunity during the stated period into account. When looking for a holiday apartment, it is worth considering the daily rhythm you want: culture enthusiasts choose Nivelles for its historic sites, while others also plan time for the park and water.

A short cycling tour and local tradition

The cycling route from Nivelles to Genappe is available for an active stage of your trip. It starts behind Nivelles railway station, follows Line 141, is accessible to everyone and is 6 kilometres long. The route can therefore be considered an independent part of your travel plans, without confusing it with the 14-kilometre procession route of the Tour Sainte-Gertrude.

Local food culture is also part of Nivelles’ character. The Confrérîye dèl Târte al Djote awards its quality labels every year on a Tuesday during the month of February. Those who want to include this aspect can take the relevant period into account when planning their trip.

More destinations for your search

You can also visit the pages for Tienen, Bertem, Geetbets, Kortenberg, Lubbeek, Affligem, Waterloo and Wijgmaal for additional options. This allows you to compare Nivelles with other destinations and tailor your accommodation search to the experiences you prefer.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Brabant.