While the famous Bois de Hal draws crowds every spring, an equally magical spectacle unfolds quietly just outside Brussels. A true green lung spanning over 4,000 hectares, the Forêt de Soignes features unique trails where carpets of wild hyacinths adorn the undergrowth in a sublime blue. But this thousand-year-old forest, aUNESCO World Heritage Site, holds many more secrets. Between its majestic “cathedral beech forests ” and historic sites like the Rouge-Cloître, Soignes conceals an exceptional architectural and botanical heritage. A complete immersion in Brussels’ history and majestic nature.
From a thousand-year-old history to a carpet of hyacinths: the spring awakening of the Forest of Soignes
The oldest green space in the country, the Forest of Soignes has been an integral part of the Brussels landscape for millennia. This 4,400-hectare forest, part of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is distinguished by its “cathedral beech forests.” Composed of 65% beech trees from centuries-old plantations, it offers a completely preserved natural environment. Designated a Natura 2000 site, the forest spans all three regions of the country, with 1,665 hectares located in the Brussels region alone.
And it is in spring that the Forest of Soignes reveals its most poetic secret. For those seeking a peaceful alternative to the famous Bois de Hal, Soignes offers an enchanting and rejuvenating escape. Along winding paths, a dazzling carpet of wild hyacinths adorns this setting, transporting visitors into the heart of a floral explosion just a stone’s throw from Avenue de Tervueren. A magical escape just a few minutes from downtown Brussels.
Living memorials and monuments: the many faces of Soignes
The Sonian Forest also stands out as a veritable open-air museum where every corner tells a chapter ofBelgium’s history. To explore it, visitors have seven iconic “gateways, ” including the Rouge-Cloître, a unique architectural gem inviting contemplation among its ponds and monastic ruins. More discreet, the Trois Fontaines site reveals a darker past: this 14th-century fortified refuge served as the residence of the “gruyer” and as a prison for poachers of the time.
But the forest also stands as a place of contemplation and symbolism. The Forest Rangers Memorial features a dolmen surrounded by eleven stones, paying tribute to the rangers killed during the Great War. More recently, the forest has become the guardian of a painful memory with the Memorial to the March 22, 2016 attacks, where 32 trees planted in a circle offer a sanctuary of peace and resilience. Finally, at a bend in the path, the Notre-Dame de Bonne Odeur Chapel recalls the pilgrimages of yesteryear, attesting to the rich heritage and emotional significance of this must-see destination in the capital.
