PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 10 April 2014
New "Flora Walks" mini-maps available from May
As part of the Year of the Flower, one of the oldest horticultural companies in the world is offering
the public a major cultural programme in Brussels. To mark its 350th anniversary, the "Royal Linnean
and Flora Society of Brussels" wants to attract the public by organising, between March 2014 and
March 2015, events and meetings relating to parks, gardens and horticulture in Brussels.
The Year of Flora is based around three main events: two exhibitions (Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
and Halles Saint Géry) and a series of walks.
Flora Walks, a multitude of opportunities in a green capital…
… over 50 sites to discover!
In collaboration with Bruxelles Environnement (Brussels Environment), VISITBRUSSELS has published
a new "Flora Walks" mini-guide which will be released in the coming weeks. Illustrated with pretty
maps, this mini-guide invites visitors to discover the horticultural high points of Brussels via the city's
most beautiful green spaces. From history to anecdotes… over 50 places are listed!
Here's a small sample of what's to come…
The first walk takes you to the south of the capital to stroll through the magnificent parc Tenbosch
(Tenbosch Park), which contains remarkable trees and shrubs, some of which are unique to Brussels
and Belgium, or even to the famous Bois de la Cambre (Cambre Wood), a remnant of the medieval
age which was renovated last century. With its small woods, lawns, bodies of water and "island", it is
one of the focal points in Brussels, its history and hidden corners being relatively unknown to the
general public. It is also home to the étangs d'Ixelles (Ixelles ponds) and their beautiful variety of
exotic trees.
The second walk takes in the green spaces designed by Leopold II in the north of the city. With a rare
beauty and elegance, these lesser known - except to their residents - parks and gardens feature as
part of a walk which crosses parks and gardens that mainly lead away from the Royal Palace Park:
Jardin Sobieski (Sobieski Garden), Jardin du Fleuriste (Florist's Garden), Park de Laeken (Laeken Park),
…
From Petit Sablon (Petit Sablon square) to Parc de Bruxelles (Brussels Park) passing through Parc
d’Egmont (Egmont Park), Jardin de la Cathédrale (Cathedral Gardens) and the fabulous Jardin
Botanique (Botanical Gardens), the walk uncovers the heart of the city, the historical centre and its
immediate surrounds. History on a small and large-scale… and places to rest and relax in the city. All
of this is encompassed in the third walk.
The mini-guide, a practical product which respects the environment…
The mini-guide will be available in 3 languages(FR/NL/EN) and sold at VISITBRUSSELS information
centres (Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall) - Grand Place, BIP – place Royale) for €0.50 incl. VAT from the start
of May. They will also be available at VISITBRUSSELS information kiosks (Gare Centrale (Central Train
Station) and Bourse (Stock Exchange)) during the summer period (from mid-July to 24 August 2014)
as well as at the starting points of each of the walks listed on the map (until March 2015): Octrois du
Bois de la Cambre, Atomium, Galeries Royales St-Hubert.
For several years, VISITBRUSSELS has been attempting to make its tourist information accessible
throughout the region using its flagship product: the mini-guide.
A true travel companion, this very user-friendly guide is split into several topics (Cartoons,
Gastronomy, Art Nouveau, Europe, Shopping, Green etc) and has been a complete success with
visitors owing to its attractive layout, choice of interesting locations and practical format.
There are now around twenty mini-guides, with the "Flora Walks" adding to this collection, which is
growing year by year. Visitors can thus use mini-guides to help them discover all of the delights that
the capital has to offer!
Because VISITBRUSSELS takes its responsibilities seriously and wishes to integrate environmental,
social and economic concerns in its activities, all mini-guides are printed with organic-based ink on
recycled paper (FSC, PEFC, …) and are available at a small charge to avoid wastage.
Press contact: Martha Meeze: m.meeze@visitbrussels.be - +32 486 53 31 81