Leuven: age-old and oh-so-trendy

Leuven: age-old and oh-so-trendy

Few cities speak to the imagination like Leuven does. This is because the city on the river Dijle has a lot to offer: a rich history, the best shops and terraces and a busy cultural calendar. You definitely won’t get bored here!

Did you know that the city of Leuven was first mentioned in the history books in 891 AD and that the University of Leuven, founded in 1425, is one of the oldest in the world? So it’s no surprise that you never have to walk far here to admire the most beautiful historic buildings. For example, stroll through the two beautifully renovated UNESCO world heritage beguinages, or admire Het Laatste Avondmaal (The Last Supper) by Dirk Bouts in Sint-Pieterskerk (Saint Peter’s Church), the last painting by a Flemish Primitive that still hangs in the place it was commissioned for.

City of today and tomorrow

But don’t be misled by that rich history. Partly thanks to its large student population, above all Leuven is a very modern city. You’ll find the trendiest shops in Flemish Brabant here! From the biggest fashion brands to unique boutiques, they’re all within walking distance of each other in the compact and easy to navigate centre. You can take a break in a trendy coffee bar or on one of the many terraces. On every street and on every corner you’ll find a cosy café or wonderful restaurant with affordable prices. You’ll find the highest concentration of cafés and restaurants on the beautiful Oude Markt, which isn’t known as the world’s longest bar for nothing…

What’s more, Leuven continues to constantly reinvent itself by making full use of its environment. Today we can find the most recent example of this in the fully redeveloped Vaartkom, area, which has changed into an innovative, trendy neighbourhood over the space of a few years. For example, here you’ll find Vaartopia, where a 30-hectare former industrial area was converted into a creative hotbed for designers, start-ups, artists, production houses, cultural associations and artisans. AG Residential is helping to revive the Vaartkom area with the wonderful residential project VIVID in the new green Tweewaters ‘valley park’ on the banks of the Dijle and Vunt rivers.

Lively Leuven

There’s always something going on in Leuven. From the festive Christmas market in the winter to the popular festivals in the summer. Do you like music? Sing along to the biggest classics at the Beleuvenissen, or discover alternative newcomers at M-idzomer, the alternative cultural and music festival organised by M-Museum and Het Depot concert venue. Do you prefer culinary events? Then mark the first Sunday of August in your diary, because on that day the centre of Leuven turns into a playground for epicureans, with countless tastings on a culinary route through the centre.

Those who prefer to take things easier also have more than enough to choose from in Leuven. Within walking distance from the centre, the Abdij van ’t Park welcomes you in an oasis of calm and natural beauty. Here you can walk around lakes, abbey buildings and even a romantic watermill. A bit further on, Heverleebos, Meerdaalwoud and Egenhovenbos together make up the largest mixed deciduous forest in Flanders.

And if you do want to go elsewhere, you can reach the rest of the country in no time thanks to the bus and train connections and the ideal location along the E40 and E314 motorways, at an easy distance from Brussels, Mechelen, Hasselt and Liège.