Ixelles ponds, La Cambre Abbey and the Bois: a walk in Brussels

Green south Brussels: the Flagey ponds, the hidden abbey gardens and the big park at the end of Avenue Louise.

Best time: Sunny afternoon

The route, stop by stop

1
Place Flagey and its market
Start at the 1930s Flagey building; 10 min.
The real social centre of young Brussels, around the 1938 ocean-liner-shaped Flagey radio building; the weekend market has turned into a neighbourhood meeting point.
2
Ixelles Ponds
Art Nouveau houses along the water; 20 min.
Two ponds lined with Art Nouveau houses running from Place Flagey to La Cambre Abbey; locals eat fries on the benches and jog the loop.
3
La Cambre Abbey
Terraced abbey gardens; 30 min.
A former Cistercian abbey with terraced French gardens hidden in a hollow below Avenue Louise, used by locals for quiet walks and recommended by Spotted by Locals.
4
Bois de la Cambre
Lake loop; 40 min.
The 1861 landscaped park at the end of Avenue Louise and the edge of the Sonian Forest; on sunny weekends it is where half of Brussels goes to picnic.
5
Chalet Robinson
Barge to the island cafe (seasonal); 45 min.
A chalet brasserie on an island in the Bois de la Cambre lake reached by a small barge; locals come for a drink on sunny days.