Forest: Parks, History and Culture

Forest combines impressive parkland with places where the district’s history and culture can be seen. When planning your trip, you can focus on different things: expansive gardens and historic woodland, architecture and art, or markets and seasonal events. Deciding which of these aspects you want to shape your days can also help guide your choice of holiday apartment.

Parks with their own character

Parc Duden is a public garden covering 23 hectares and preserves the historic character of a beech forest. Parc de Forest offers a different landscape: its hilly grounds cover 13 hectares, and it was laid out as an English-style garden. Parc Jupiter connects Parc de Forest with Parc Duden. This makes it possible to include two differently described parks in your plans without confusing their respective features.

The history of the landscape is also present in Forest. Parc Jacques Brel is the surviving remnant of the former Kersbeekbosch, which belonged to the Forêt de Soignes. Parc du Bempt encompasses about five hectares of what was once a much larger wetland. These details highlight different aspects: a historical woodland connection in one case, and the changed size of a once more extensive landscape in the other. If you enjoy comparing parkland and its history when you travel, these differences provide concrete points of reference.

Abbaye de Forest and historic architecture

The site of Abbaye de Forest has a history dating back to the Middle Ages. Together with Hôtel communal de Forest, the church and Place Saint-Denis, it forms the historic centre of the Brussels municipality of Forest. Since its foundation in 1106, the Abbaye has served successively for worship, horticulture, industry, residential use, culture and artistic creation. These changing functions give the site a layered history; the ABŸ project includes its renovation and conversion into a cultural centre.

Access to the Abbaye site is restricted during restoration work. The playground, Saint-Denis Church and the northern area of the park remain accessible during the work via Chaussée de Bruxelles, Rue des Abbesses and Boulevard de la Deuxième Armée Britannique. As routes may change as the work progresses, check the latest municipal notices before visiting.

Hôtel communal is also a striking architectural landmark: Jean-Baptiste Dewin designed it in the Art Deco style. Notable details include an off-centre tower, long vertical window openings and sculptures. Guided tours are organised by Arkadia and Korei Guided Tours; check the dates and current visitor arrangements in advance.

Art, views and local traditions

WIELS is located in the building Adrien Blomme constructed in 1930 for the Wielemans brewery, which served as the brewery’s flagship building. Today, WIELS hosts temporary exhibitions by established or emerging artists. The panoramic terrace on the fifth floor offers wide-ranging views across Brussels. The combination of changing exhibitions and views makes WIELS a good stop for travellers who want to include contemporary art and architecture in their stay. As exhibitions change, you can check the current programme in advance.

A weekly market takes place on Place Saint-Denis every Saturday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Forest’s annual fair brings residents, visitors, itinerant traders, second-hand dealers and associations together in the Saint-Denis district and puts local traditions at the centre. Municipal information on market hours and event formats may change, so check the latest dates when making specific plans.

Another seasonal option is the Petit Train à Vapeur de Forest. It is open to the public from the end of April to the beginning of October every Sunday, on public holidays and on some Saturdays. If you plan to visit, check the current timetable against your travel dates.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Forest, you can first decide whether parks and landscape history, architecture and art, or local markets matter most to you. Then plan around the relevant visiting conditions and dates. This way, you can choose your accommodation with the experiences you actually want to put at the centre of your trip in mind.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Saint-Gilles/Sint-Gillis, Anderlecht, Brussels, Laeken, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre/Sint-Pieters-Woluwe, Watermael-Boitsfort/Watermaal-Bosvoorde, Uccle/Ukkel, Etterbeek.

Return to the overview of destinations: Brussels-Capital Region.