Within 30 kilometres of Brussels lie some of Europe's most privately held landscapes — the estates of Brabant Wallon. FFGR Belgium's guide to the countryside circuit.
The Brabant Wallon province, immediately south of Brussels, contains some of Belgium's highest concentrations of private wealth — a landscape of country estates, equestrian properties, golf clubs, and family châteaux that constitute the most discreet residential landscape in the country. The commune of La Hulpe, the Forêt de Soignes (the ancient beech forest extending from Brussels to Waterloo), and the Château de la Hulpe grounds (open to the public as the Domaine Solvay) are the landmarks.
The Brabant Wallon property circuit: FFGR Belgium serves families and private equity clients viewing country properties for purchase or rental, attending shooting parties, visiting equestrian facilities (Belgium has a significant show jumping culture — several world-ranked riders train and compete from Brabant Wallon), and using the countryside estates as corporate retreat venues.
Corporate retreat venues: the Château de la Hulpe (25km from Brussels, the former Solvay family estate, now a private estate venue), the Château d'Arenberg (Heverlee, 25km), and the Abbaye de Villers (Villers-la-Ville, 35km — the ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey used for outdoor events) are the most frequent FFGR Belgium corporate retreat destinations.
The Forêt de Soignes circuit: the beech forest is accessible by road and on foot from Brussels' southeastern communes. For weekend guests staying in Brussels hotels, FFGR Belgium provides a forest morning circuit — Tervuren (Africa Museum), the forest lanes, and the Château de la Hulpe — returning to Brussels for lunch.
Vehicle: the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the vehicle of choice for Brabant Wallon — its all-terrain capability handles estate roads with ease. For formal château visits and dinners, the Phantom or Ghost.