Leuven

Leuven (in French Louvain), Belgium's most famous university town, is located along the banks of the Dijle, east of Brussels. The Catholic university here was founded in 1425 and quickly grew to prominence as one of Europe's most prestigious educational institutions. Erasmus of Rotterdam and Justus Lipsius both taught here, as did Gerhard Mercator, the geographer, and in 1459, one of the university's chancellors became Pope Adrian VI.

Despite being heavily bombarded during both world wars, Leuven has been fortunate enough to retain much of its early architecture. Leuven is an excellent place to learn about Belgium's architectural legacy, thanks to its prestigious university college structures and outstanding Gothic architecture in the city center.

A must-see destination in Leuven, the M Van Museum is Leuven's main art museum and is totally up to date. The collection includes works from the 15th to the 18th centuries, as well as modern works and temporary exhibitions by well-known artists from around the world. As an added bonus, admission to the museum includes free admission to the St Pieterskerk Treasury, allowing you to see the works on show there, rounding out a fantastic day for art enthusiasts.

Besides that, without a doubt, Leuven is the beer capital of the world. There were no fewer than 30 breweries in the city at the turn of the century. These breweries are still open for business, whether they are in the city or on the outskirts. Traditional Belgian food to the best vegetarian fare is all available in restaurants.


Location: Leuven, Belgium
Highlights: Leuven’s Cloth Hall, the M Van Museum, Groot Begijnhof, Leuven Botanical Garden Kruidtuin, Naamsestraat and the University Buildings, ....
Best time to visit: May 21st to October 7th