Just a 30-minute train ride from Brussels, the Château de Grand-Bigard is among the most beautiful estates in the capital’s vicinity. While many know it for its gardens, which are blanketed with over a million flowers in the spring, the site is set to reveal a whole new side: on July 25 and 26, more than 1,000 floating lanterns will light up its moat during two evenings that are as poetic as they are spectacular.
A historic castle that is home to one of Belgium’s most beautiful flower-filled estates
Located near Brussels, the Château de Grand-Bigard is one of the jewels of Flemish Brabant. Built in the 17th century in the Flemish Renaissance style, it captivates visitors with its red-brick facades, its moat, its five-arched bridge, and its impressive medieval keep, nearly 30 meters high.
But what draws thousands of visitors each year is above all its immense 14-hectare estate. In the spring, it hosts Floralia Brussels, a horticultural event where more than a million flowers bloom, including hundreds of varieties of tulips, as well as hyacinths, daffodils, and grape hyacinths. A true paradise for nature lovers… and photographers.
Good news: you don’t need a car to get there. From Brussels, simply take the train to Groot-Bijgaarden, then walk to the castle—it’s about a 13-minute stroll.
On July 25 and 26, the grounds will take on a completely different atmosphere
For one weekend, the Château de Grand-Bigard will set aside its spring colors to host the Water Lantern Festival. Inspired by the Thai tradition of floating lanterns, the event will invite visitors to set their own lanterns adrift on the water in a peaceful and luminous atmosphere.
At nightfall, more than 1,000 floating lanterns will light up the estate’s bodies of water, offering a particularly photogenic spectacle. This is a rare opportunity to discover this iconic castle in a completely different light, as the estate opens its doors to the public only for a few special events throughout the year.
Water Lantern Festival – Brussels
19 September 2026 16:30 + more dates
