Louvain-la-Neuve - Louvain-la-Neuve

Louvain-la-Neuve01 1999-11-16.jpg
Louvain-la-Neuve
regionWallonia
Residents
31.551 (2015)
height
113 m
no tourist info on Wikidata: Add tourist information
location
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Louvain-la-Neuve

Louvain-la-Neuve (Li Noû Lovin in Walloon, unofficially in Dutch Nieuw Leuven and New lions in German, often abbreviated LLN) is the youngest city Belgium, the only real campus town in the country and the location of the Université Catholique de Louvain, the Catholic University of Leuven (French-speaking branch). Characteristic are the modern brick architecture and the fact that almost the entire city center was designed as a pedestrian zone and the other quarters are also very pedestrian-friendly. Administratively speaking, Louvain-la-Neuve belongs to the municipality Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, to the province Walloon Brabant and to Wallonia.

background

"Escaliers de l'Hocaille" - stairs that lead to the Hocaille district

history

Louvain-la-Neuve was created in the context of the Flemish-Walloon language dispute in the sixties, among other things at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL) in Lions the slogans "whales buiten!" (Walloons out!) Were chanted. So in 1968 permission was given to establish a French-speaking department of the university under the name Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL). It was decided that the medical faculty would be located on the outskirts of Brussels in Woluwé-Saint-Lambert and the remaining faculties would be located in a new city to be founded, the "new lion" - that is, Louvain-la-Neuve. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on January 20, 1969 and the first students moved in in 1972, even if some of them still had to go to the lectures in rubber boots.

Louvain-la-Neuve was built on an area that extends over 900 hectares and contains four old courtyards that gave the districts of the city their names: the Quartiers Biéreau, Lauzelle, Hocaille and Bruyères. Another unplanned neighborhood developed over time, the District de la Baraque, in which bon vivants and alternative communities were looking for a home. Despite several evacuation attempts, the authorities have not yet been able to evacuate the district. The city center, which is almost one hundred percent pedestrian, was built on a gigantic concrete slab so that roads for car traffic and parking spaces could be relocated under the actual city center.

Life

The city is strongly characterized by university and student life, even if it has become very bourgeois in the last 10 years and more and more non-students are settling here, e.g. also many senior citizens who are attracted by the pedestrian-friendliness. The living culture of the so-called Kots-à-projet ("kot" means something like "student dormitory, room, flat share and is pronounced" kott "), which loosely translated means something like" project flat-share ". be it humanitarian, student, sporting or cultural in nature, and organize various events and services related to it. Every year most of the Kots-à-projet also accept exchange students for one or two semesters. Below are some examples:

  • Feces BD, Rue des Blancs-Chevaux, 48 (From the Grand Place, between the Collège Erasme on the left and the Psychology Faculty on the right, turn left up to the rue des Blancs-Chevaux, which is decorated with trees and lawns). Tel.: (0)10-45 47 54, Email: . Lending of over 3,500 BDs (bande dessinée = comic booklet).Open: Mon.-Fri. 13: 00-14: 00, Mon.-Thu. 18: 00-20: 00.Price: € 0.25 per comic borrowed.
  • Oenokot, Voie du Roman Pays, 3 (3rd floor) (With your back to the train station on Rue des Wallons, take the first street on the left opposite, then it is the first building on the left, the entrance is at the end of the building). Mobile: (0)496 654465, Email: . Project that is aimed at wine lovers and those who want to become one. Activities include wine tasting, oenology classes, and winery tours, among others.
  • Het Nederlandskot, Rue des Blancs chevaux 14 (From the Grand Place via the courtyard of the Collège Erasme up the stairs of the Hocaille district. Turn right at the top into Rue des Balncs Chevaux, Nederlandskot is on the right). Tel.: (0)10-86 19 64, Email: . The project aims to help those interested in learning the Dutch language; Activities include discussion evenings, film screenings, conferences, etc.
  • Kot Jeunes et Nature, Rue de l'Hocaille 14A (From the Grand Place through the courtyard of the Collège Erasme, the Kot-à-projet is in the stairs that lead up to the Hocaille district). Tel.: (0)10-45 57 48, Email: .
    - The aim here is to bring nature and nature conservation closer, be it through hikes and the support of projects, be it through conferences and lectures.

Further information and a complete list of all Kots-à-projet can be found on the umbrella organization's website Feces organs to be found in French.

It is also interesting that all of the land on which Louvain-la-Neuve is located belongs to the university.

getting there

By plane

The nearest international airport is the Brussels Zaventem AirportWebsite of this institutionBrussels-Zaventem Airport in the Wikipedia encyclopediaBrussels-Zaventem Airport in the Wikimedia Commons media directoryBrussels-Zaventem Airport (Q28934) in the Wikidata database(IATA: BRU) , it is 35 km away. But also the one mainly served by low-cost providers Brussels South Charleroi AirportWebsite of this institutionBrussels South Charleroi Airport in the Wikipedia encyclopediaBrussels South Charleroi Airport in the Wikimedia Commons media directoryBrussels South Charleroi Airport (Q1431012) in the Wikidata database(IATA: CRL) is an interesting alternative at a distance of just 40 km.

By train

Louvain-la-Neuve has a dead end station, the closest connection to which is the city of Ottignies. There are direct train connections between Louvain-la-Neuve and Brussels. There are an average of three trains an hour between the two towns. Ottignies has direct connections with Brussels, Namur, Liège and Leuven, among others. Louvain-la-Neuve train station is in the heart of the city and allows easy access to all areas.

In the street

Louvain-la-Neuve is located directly on the E411 motorway, which connects Brussels with Namur and Luxembourg, and on the N4 national road. The city can be reached via three exits from the motorway Symbol: AS 9 - Corroy-le-Grand, Louvain-la-Neuve-Sud, Nivelles; Symbol: AS 8a - Louvain-la-Neuve-Center and Symbol: AS 7 - Louvain-la-Neuve).

There are direct bus connections between Louvain-la-Neuve and Woluwé-Saint-Lambert, where the university's medical faculty is located, as well as with the Free University of Brussels (ULB / VUB) and the university city of Namur. Prices and timetables are on www.autocars-pire.be to find.

LLN can also be reached by bus from other surrounding villages such as Ottignies, Wavre, Chastre etc. Further information on timetables and prices can be found on the website of TEC to find.

mobility

Map of Louvain-la-Neuve

Since the city is not that big and the center is closed to traffic, it is best to get around on foot; a bicycle is also an alternative. There is almost no public transport within the city, the existing bus routes connect Louvain-la-Neuve with the surrounding towns.

Since the uniform brick architecture can easily turn the city into a maze for newcomers and visitors, it is advisable to choose a map to have at hand to find your way through the maze of streets and avoid detours.

Tourist Attractions

  • Louvain-la-Neuve train station. Several meter high reproductions of paintings by the Belgian surrealist Paul Delvaux serve as decoration on the platforms.
  • Louvain-la-Neuve Museum, Place Blaise Pascal, 1st floor (The museum is located in the building of the Faculty of Humanities (Faculté de Philosophie et Lettres), the Collège Erasme. Access is through the courtyard, not far from the stairs to the Hocaille district.). Tel.: (0)10-47 48 41, Fax: (0)10-47 24 13, Email: . Open: Tue-Fri: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat-Sun: 2 p.m.-6 p.m.Price: 3 €, free under 18 and for all members of the UCL (personal students).
    : African, Asian, Oceanic and European works of art and archaeological finds from prehistory, including works by Picasso, Magritte, Hartung, Munch, Ensor or Kohlwitz '.
  • The "Jardin Eolien"(Wind Garden) by Olivier Strebelle was erected in 1995 on Avenue Jean Monnet on the premises of the Shell Research European Center. The six-ton ​​steel structure consists of three weather vanes that move depending on the strength and direction of the wind.
  • The fresco "Quand la lune se couch"(When the moon goes down) was painted on a wall in rue Rabelais in 1992 as a collaborative effort under the direction of Francisco Rivero.
  • Sculptures by Belgian metal artist Félix Roulin from 1996, which was awarded the "Young Belgian Sculpture" prize and the "Prix du Musée de Rodin" at the Paris Biennale, among other things, can be seen on Pierre-de-Coubertin-Platz in front of the sports faculty.

activities

  • 24 hours vélo. 24 hour cycling race. Every year in October, around a 24-hour cycle race, one of the largest student festivals in Europe takes place across the entire city.
  • Semaine FEDE. Large tent festival with the participation of all regional branches, organized every year in March by the umbrella organization FEDE (Fédération Wallone des Régionales), highlights on Tuesday evening are the Soirée Dégustation, an evening in which all participating student associations offer specialties from their area, and the Soirée Upper Bavaria , an evening under the theme "Oktoberfest" with brass music and half-liter tankards.
  • Hiking in the Bois des Rêves
  • Golf

shop

The so-called Esplanade is the most interesting corner for shopping. It extends from Grand Place via Grand Rue and Rue Charlemagne to Place de l'Université and the one behind it shopping mall, one of the largest in Belgium. The businessmen in the city center and in the shopping center often offer free parking for a certain period of time if you buy from them. There are pay parking garages under the Grand Place, under Rue Charlemagne and under the shopping center.

kitchen

Since Louvain-la-Neuve is a student city, there are also meals for the smaller budget. The palette ranges from fast food to cafeteria food to good restaurants, which are of course a bit more expensive. However, you will look in vain for top-class restaurants and star chefs. In addition to the Belgian-French cuisine, there are also Asian, Italian and Greek restaurants.

canteen

The canteens are in LLN restaurants universitaires (University restaurants) and offer meals at discounted prices.

Restaurants

  • 1  Bretonne creperie, Place des Brabançons, 1a. Tel.: (0)10 45 15 85, Fax: (0)10-45.25.46. A paradise for all pancake lovers, the menu includes more than 350 different salted pancakes with a wide variety of fillings. Friends of a good beer will also get their money's worth, the menu offers over 200 Belgian specialty beers. There is also a large selection of ice cream sundaes, fruit syrups, teas and coffees. A rustic atmosphere inside, and a terrace outside when the weather is nice. Reservations are recommended in the evening.Open: daily 09: 00-01: 30.Price: 1.80-19.55 €.Accepted payment methods: American Express, Diners Club, Master Card, Visa.

nightlife

As the "reason for existence" of entire generations of students, the nightlife in Neu-Löwen has developed into an art form in its own right. In addition to the usual bars and cafes there are also the so-called Cercles (Student associations broken down by faculty: Cercle de Droit = ​​law students, CI or Cercle Industriel = civil engineers, Cercle de Philo et Lettres = humanities scholars, etc.) and Regionales (Student associations according to the origin of the students: Namuroise = students from the city and province of Namur, Eumavia Lovaniensis = students from the German-speaking Community of Belgium, Chimacienne = students from Chimay etc.), most of which have their own bars and restaurants. Usually these are not too large rooms that offer space for 40 to 150 people and in which the cleanliness sometimes leaves something to be desired. The furniture - if available - is usually very simple and sometimes a bit decrepit. On the other hand, the prices are extremely democratic, they are generally around half the normal prices in cafes and bars. Belgian special beers are offered in Cercles and Régionales, sometimes also local schnapps and liqueurs as well as soft drinks, but usually neither coffee nor other hot drinks. Even if these places are almost exclusively visited by students, they are by no means reserved for them and are certainly the best place to learn more about Belgian student life, traditions and folklore.

Bars and cafes

When the sun is shining, nothing is as tempting as giving in to the temptation after a cold beer or a refreshing pastis on one of the numerous terraces of the Grand Rue, the Grand-Place or the Place des Wallons. You are never alone, the available chairs outside are quickly occupied by students who prefer a little idleness to drumming. But even in less good weather, which is unfortunately prevalent in Belgian regions, Louvain-la-Neuve offers a large selection of cafes and bars.

  • Bar de la Vie, Place de l'Hocaille (From the Grand Place through the courtyard of the Faculty of Humanities (Faculté de Philosophie et Lettres - Collège Erasme) and straight on up the stairs of the Hocaille district, continue straight on past the swimming pool to the small paved square. The "Bar de la Vie" is slightly on the left). The small bar is the meeting point of the African community Louvain-la-Neuves, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings the place is usually packed. Hot rhythms, exuberant mood, music in the blood, tolerance and low prices are definitely worth a visit.
  • Beckett's Irish Bar, Grand Place 53 (To the left of the UGC cinema on Grand Place, not to be missed). Tel.: (0)10-84 58 00, Email: . The second Irish bar in town, right next to the cinema.Feature: Irish cuisine.Open: Mon-Sat from 10:00, Sun. from 14:00.Price: Whisk (e) ys from all over the world from 5 €.
  • Blackfriars, 7 rue René Magritte (From the Grand Place (looking at the bell tower) to the left, past the UGC cinema, continue straight on over the Montesquieu square up the Rue des Bruyères to the René Magritte square). Tel.: (0)10-45 82 35, Email: . An original Irish pub, run by Dominican monks, the so-called Black Friars, where a family atmosphere, a personal greeting and good cuisine play an important role.Open: Mon.-Fri. 18: 00-24: 00.
  • Jazz Matazz, 8 rue Paulin Ladeuze (At the Grand Place, looking at the bell tower to the right in a small side street). Tel.: (0)10-45 29 40. Cozy is the word that best describes the atmosphere. Simple tables and chairs on the ground floor, on the first floor, in addition to a colorful collection of furniture from various origins, there are also a few sofa corners and armchairs that invite you to lounge around and relax.
  • La Galoute, rue Rabelais 23 (In a small side street of the Grand Rue that connects the Place de l'Université with the Grand Place). Tel.: (0)10-45 13 81, Email: .
    : Recently renovated offers the Brasserie fast and friendly service and good, simple cuisine.
  • Onlywood, Place des Wallons 37 (From Place de l'Université or the train station, walk up Rue des Wallons to the square of the same name (Place des Wallons), Onlywood is the first café on the left on the square). Tel.: (0)10-45 03 61. Lots of wood, a cozy atmosphere, good TexMex cuisine.
The "CI", the meeting place for the budding civil engineers

Cercles

The student associations listed below, organized by faculty, have their own bar and bar in addition to a shared apartment, which is also rented to other (student) associations. Each Cercle organizes a so-called "Soirée" (party) on a fixed evening of the week in its restaurant. On the other evenings, other events take place or the restaurant is rented to student organizations that do not have their own restaurant.

Place Galilée, center of nightlife in LLN

Regionales

In addition to a shared apartment, the regional student associations listed below also have their own bar with a bar, which is also rented to other (student) associations. Each of the Régionales listed below organizes a so-called "soirée" or "bar" (party, party) on a fixed evening of the week in its restaurant. On the other evenings, other events take place or the restaurant is rented to (regional) student organizations that do not have their own restaurant.

accommodation

  • Mercure, Boulevard de Lauzelle, 61. Tel.: (0)10-45 09 11, Email: .
  • Le relay, Rue de la Gare, 6. Tel.: (0)10-48 65 65, Fax: (0)10-48 65 50, Email: . Open: Mon.-Fri. 08: 30-23: 00, Sat. Sun. Holidays 12: 00-23: 00.Price: € 20-177 depending on the duration and type of room.Accepted payment methods: MasterCard, Visa.

For exchange students or travelers who want to stay a little longer, the following options are also available:

  • Inforville, Forum des Halles, Galerie des Halles. Tel.: (0)10-47 47 47, Fax: (0)10-47 35 31, Email: . Open: Mon.-Fri. 09: 00-17: 00, Sat. 11: 00-17: 00.
  • Infor-Logement, Place Polyvalente, 1. Tel.: (0)10-47 21 91, Fax: (0)10-47 20 39, Email: . Open: Mon.-Fri. 10: 00-12: 00 and 13: 00-15: 30.
    - Official housing agency of UCL, generally only helps enrolled students, lecturers, etc.

Learn

  • Université Catholique de Louvain, 1, Place de l'Université. Tel.: (0)10-47 21 11, Fax: (0)10-47 29 99, Email: .
    - Faculties: Theology, Philosophy, Law, Economics, Philology-History-Archeology-Art History, Biology, Agronomy, Engineering, Sports Science, Kinesitherapy, Sciences, Applied Sciences

In addition to the Université Catholique de Louvain, other universities can be found in Louvain-la-Neuve. They include:

Practical advice

information

  • Inforville, Forum des Halles, Galerie des Halles (In the immediate vicinity of the Place de l'Université next to the counters of the train station). Tel.: (0)10-47 47 47, Fax: (0)10-47 35 31, Email: . Open: Mon.-Fri. 09: 00-17: 00, Sat. 11: 00-17: 00.
    - Questions about the city and the university are answered here, information material (free and payable) is also available, for example a city map is available for 1 €. A model of the city is also exhibited, which may make initial orientation a little easier. Inforville can also help with finding accommodation and provide information on events in Louvain-la-Neuve.

trips

  • 1 Geographical center of Belgium in Wahlain. The locality Whale grove is about 10 km south of the city on the left side of the national road N4. The center is marked by a pyramid designed by the Belgian architect Bernard Defrenne, the base of which represents the earth's crust. The triangle symbolizes Belgium, the three pylons the three regions of the country. Boards in the three national languages ​​lead to the sculpture. The 12 lamps that light up the center of the country in the dark represent the first 12 countries of the EU.
  • amusement park Walibi - About 7 km from Louvain-la-Neuve next to the small town Wavre is one of the largest amusement parks in Belgium. The park has attractions for all ages and can provide an entire day of activity. The journey by train is via Ottignies or Lions, Get off at Walibi-Bierges station. The entrance to the amusement park is only 150 m away. By car on the E411 motorway, exit Symbol: AS 6 or Symbol: AS 9 Exit at Walibi-Wavre, or from Paris on the E19 motorway Symbol: AS 19 Nivelles on the N25 towards Wavre. The Walibi parking lot costs € 6 per day.

literature

  • L’art dans la ville: Itinéraires et Promenades à Ottignies-LLN, UCL Relations Extérieures, 1997

Web links

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