Autumn is here: 7 good reasons to take a few days to visit Nivelles
Autumn is here: 7 good reasons to take a few days to visit Nivelles
Visit Nivelles
The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are becoming milder, and the landscapes are starting to don yellow, orange, and red. And if the arrival of autumn was just a good reason to slow down for a few days?
Easily accessible, Nivelles, in Walloon Brabant, is an ideal destination for a getaway in Wallonia. Its heritage, its friendly center, its green spaces, and the many walking opportunities in the region allow you to combine discovery and relaxation without going far.
Here are 7 good reasons to unpack your bags in Nivelles this autumn.
1. Rediscover Nivelles under the colors of autumn
At this time of year, Nivelles gradually changes its atmosphere. The summer terraces give way to a calmer ambiance, the trees change color, and the historic center is particularly well-suited for a stroll.
Start with the Grand Place and the must-see Collegiate Church of Sainte-Gertrude, one of the most remarkable Romanesque buildings in Belgium. Its nave is 102 meters long, its crypt, cloister, and famous jacquemart "Djan Djan" allow you to trace nearly a thousand years of history.
2. Enjoy the Dodaine Park
When the leaves start to fall, the Dodaine Park becomes one of the most beautiful places in the city to get some fresh air.
A walk around the pond, a break on a bench, or an outing with the kids: the park offers a few hours in the green without leaving Nivelles. It is also part of several cycling routes allowing you to explore the surroundings.
3. Go biking in Walloon Brabant
Autumn is often an excellent season to bring out the bike: less heat, colorful landscapes, and a countryside that invites you to take your time.
From Nivelles, several routes allow you to reach Genappe and explore the paths of Walloon Brabant. Between heritage, small rural roads, and gourmet breaks, it's easy to turn a simple ride into a full day excursion.
4. Taste a real tarte al djote
When the temperatures drop, hearty specialties make more sense. In Nivelles, you can't miss the tarte al djote.
This local specialty combines fermented cow cheese and chard, to be enjoyed hot with salted butter. A must-have of the 'aclote' city, perfect after a few kilometers of walking.
5. Experience the traditions of Nivelles
Autumn also holds a special place in local folklore. In October, the Sainte-Gertrude Tour perpetuates a tradition over 750 years old: participants walk approximately 14 kilometers around the city accompanying the saint's shrine.
Even outside of the festivities, this tradition reminds how much history and local identity remain present in Nivelles.
6. Treat yourself to a real wellness break
A walk under autumn colors, then a few hours nice and warm: the program works particularly well in this season.
The Van der Valk Hotel Nivelles-Sud offers a space Fitness & Wellness with an indoor pool, sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, gym, and treatment center. Enough to turn a city break into a true relaxation pause.
7. Simply enjoy a few days without rushing
One of Nivelles' advantages is not having to fill your schedule from morning to evening. The center, the park, the restaurants, and the walking opportunities are close enough to take your time.
A leisurely breakfast, a few hours of sightseeing, a tarte al djote, a walk, then wellness: sometimes a successful weekend is mainly about the pleasure of slowing down.
This autumn, take time to discover Nivelles
Whether you come for its heritage, its gastronomy, its autumn colors, or simply to take a break, Nivelles offers an ideal setting for a few days in Wallonia.
And for a next escape, the Van der Valk hotels Van der Valk de Waterloo, Mons, Charleroi, Liège Congrès, Liège Sélys, Verviers and Spa invite you to discover other facets of the region.