Auderghem

BELO- Short tour of Brussels-Auderghem

This was once a modest hamlet dating back to 1863. Situated along the Southern route into the Brussels region, Auderghem has witnessed the construction of the Namur motorway, the building of several metro stations and the establishment of new offices and commercial centres.

One third of its area is taken up by the forêt de Soignes and parks, such as the Woluwe park, the Seny park, the J. Massart garden and the Rouge-Cloître park. The latter occupies a remarkable site containing a hermitage which was established in the middle of the 14th century; this retreat and its environment of forests and ponds has always known how to combine nature and culture.

Painters (of which the most famous was Hugo Van der Goes) and poets lived there or were inspired by it. Even today, many notable artists occupy the restored studios in the art centre and the old school. Art exhibitions are held there and it is popular with those who appreciate nature.

Another famous site is the Val Duchesse. This priory, founded in 1262, is today a national and international conference centre run by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The style of urbanisation in the commune alternates leafy districts with large family houses on the edge of the forest and older, more modest districts (such as the Chasse Royale) earmarked for renovation.

Finally, Auderghem is home to the only Japanese school in Brussels, as well as the headquarters of the European civil servants club in the Château Sainte-Anne.