National Botanical Garden of Belgium:

This includes the National Botanical garden and a 12th century castle, modified in the 17th century. This sumptuous fortified mansion was the residence of the former empress of Mexico, princess Charlotte, sister of King Leopold ll. Entry to the Botanical garden includes access to the park, the herb gardens, and the 13 greenhouses of the Palace of plants (reconstruction of the different forests of our planet, from the driest to the most tropical).

Other parks in Brussels:

King Baudouin Park

Cinquantenaire Park

Bois de la cambre

Ixelles Ponds

Les Jardins du Fleuriste

Gardens of the van Buuren Museum

Tervuren Park

Leopold Park

and many more..

Some ideas for walk:

Brussels and its closest surroundings form one of the cities with the most green areas per inhabitant.

Supermarkets

One could argue about the sustainability of shopping at supermarkets but it is a fact that many of us still see them as more convenient. Most supermarkets and hard discount chains in Brussels now offer a range of organic dry food, sometimes even vegetables and fruits, and even rarely meat.

To know which food in the supermarkets is organic watch out for the European Organic Farming Logo. This logo might be associated with older country-specific logos. Just look for the logo at the supermarket, it guarantees that the food you are buying is organic.

Supermarkets also created sub - brands for organic food:

Colruyt has been at the fore front of organic food distribution in Belgium. Their Bio-time brand is well developed.

Carrefour/GB has developed the Carrefour Bio brand.

Cora has Nature Bio.

Delhaize also has a specific brand, called Bio.

Bio Shops

Brussels has a number of small organic food shops. These shops are the vanguard of organic food and agriculture and often have a friendly and local atmosphere. You'll find much more than food at these shops: advice, information on local events and organizations, non food products etc. The bio shop is also a great place to meet like-minded people and get in touch with the local sustainability scene.

Below are the most famous Bio Shops of Brussels.

Sequoia

Dolma (shop and vegetarian restaurant)

Julienne

Speciality: Vegetable Boxes

They are great if you're looking for home deliveries but also for having lunch or dinner in the city.

They are very successful in Brussels. Places of deposit are proliferating in the workplace, associations and private individuals.

The two main branches are Den Diepen Boomgaard (producer) and Biohoeve From Lochting-Dedrie (producer).

Den Diepen Boomgaard

Biohoeve Lochting-Dedrie

The organic bread in Brussels

Since March 2009, on St. Catherine Street there's a new bakery called At Charli! A bakery that produces bread, partly organic, and with quality products for the rest. It has some tables for breakfast and offers lunch sandwiches to take away.

It is also possible to find organic bread in many markets and many grocery stores in Brussels. These breads come from bakeries located in Belgium, trade or industrial for example: Bionam, The Bon Pain, The Epi Doré, the Ferme de la Croix, Les Trois Petits Fours and Bakkerij Jowan.

Restaurants

There are a few restaurants that cook with organic food. For example Saga, in Etterbeek. it cooks with fully certified organic products (Certysis control), and Trop Bon, in Ixelles, on Place Flagey. Sikou, in Saint-Gilles, uses certified organic products for its ice creams and sorbets. There's also the Soul Restaurant that uses certified organic products in the city.

Slow Food

Slow Food is an eco-gastronomic organization that celebrates the pleasures of food and promotes taste education. It defends biodiversity and wants to link producers to consumers to achieve sustainable quality of our societies.

It values the products that are produced without harming the environment, climate or health, and a local economy that pay producers at fair value of their work.

Slow Food was founded in '89 in Bra in Italy by Carlo Petrini, Epicurean defender of local products. This movement is represented worldwide by more than 850 local groups.

In Wallonia you find Slow - Food restaurants in Brussels, in Liege, in Namur and in Hainaut.

The restaurant in Brussel is called Karikol.

In Namur it's Namur Dave, in Liege Liege Fleron and in Hainaut Vertes Valles and Les Saveurs de Silly.

Markets

There are three truly organic markets in Brussels:

Place Sainte-Catherine Market (Brussels center) on Wednesday from 7.30am to 3pm

Place Homere Goossens Market (Uccle) on Sunday between 9am and 1pm

Place de la Vaillance Market (Anderlecht) on Wednesday from 2.30pm to 7pm

Beer and Wine

Belgium is famous for its variety of beers and it also produces excellent quality organic beers. These are more and more becoming popular in pubs and store shelves. The best place to discover organic quality beer and other delicious beers as well is the Cantillon Brewery which is a family business that produces beer ever since 1900.

There is a new wine bar called Bio - organic winebar that offers organic wine. It has a large selection of organic wines and Champagnes to sample with local and seasonal food. And they're announcing monthly themed events.

There is also a place called Vinomundo, where you can find organic wine.

STIB

To travel around in Brussels by the STIB (Société des Transports intercommunaux bruxellois), which includes tramlines, underground railways and bus routes is a way of supporting the environment and to spend less time searching for parking lots in the city.

Villo!

Ofcourse to travel around by bike is the best, for you and for the environment. Brussels offers you a new - self service bike hire system called Villo! Based on the Parisian "Vélib", this new self-service bicycle for hire system is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. It allows you to travel around Brussels freely, all day and all night. Whether you are a regular or an occasional user, you can make an unlimited number of trips for as long as your season ticket lasts.

House stories:

An Art deco building renovated in using the most recent ecological knowledge. Received the price of "batiment exemplaire" from the Brussels region for having use eco-friendly renovation technique in a preserve monument.

Chambre d'hote

There are over 400 guest rooms in Brussels and the number is increasing. More and more tourists and businessmen prefer them to hotels, and often consider them to be more personal. In guest rooms, the reception is personalized. The hosts inform, recommend the places of interest in the area and sometimes even go around the city with you. Also, the prices are more attractive than in hotels: it must be said that the prices are attractive: 50euro to 120euro for a double room (discounts for longer stays).The guest rooms are better for the environment as, for instance, it does not require as much water as hotels, not as much food and many other reasons.

the B&B Service

B & B, the network of Bed & Breakfast in Brussels brings together most guest rooms of the capital, under the official label of "approved bed and breakfast", available in three stars. B & B has a central reservation. To fit the network, a series of conditions are placed to ensure the quality and usability service. The conditions are: you can only have three rooms max. at the same place and that place must be the principal residence of the hosts. Standards of cleanliness and room size were also determined. Guests are required to provide all the practical information useful to stay and if possible to communicate in several languages, and are also invited to share breakfast with visitors.

The guest rooms are located in all municipalities, which is good practice to modulate an accommodation based on planned activities. There are also different styles such as contemporary, art nouveau, and chocolate.

Organic Food in Wallonia

Sequioa

is a shop and market in Waterloo which offers you quality food, advice and fun. By shopping at Sequioa you dont only go shopping, you actually get fitter. The project is environmentally friendly and even the flooring is made of natural linoleum, the light comes from energy saving lamps and the furniture is out of wood and other recyclable materials.

Le Chemin Vert

is an organic bakery and a vegetarian snack shop in Liege. It even sells shoes that are comfortbale for your feet as well as organic clothing. It also has markets: Tuesday in Tienen, on Wednesday in Huy on Thursday in Jodoigne, in Leuven on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Verviers to Liege.

A 4 mains

is a combination of an organic food store, an organic catering and an organic sandwich shop based in Namur. Everything is created and produced in the kitchen. They also produce vacuum - packed meals for take - away.

Coprosain

Coprosain/ Coprobio sells organic meats through markets and small organic shops in Wallonia. It is based in Mons.

L'etable

is a food store in Arbre which is specialized in wine imports. It offers you organic wines and it also has a Restaurant called the Stables that has some organic food and wine products and opens by appointment.

Farms and Organic Farms

Near Brussels:

Ferme de la Tour

Produces organic foie gras and is located in Glimes.

Ferme du Hameau du Roy

is a traditional bakery where bread is baked in wood burning ovens. It is located in Vieux - Gemappe.

Mons:

Ferme Dorlou

is an organic farm since 1990. You can buy the farm products directly at the farm and you can also go to the farm restaurant which is open in the evenings on Friday and for lunch on weekends.

Namur/ Dinant area:

Ferme de Jambjoule

is a Dairy farm that produces organic cheese and yoghurt.

Ferme de la Comogne

is an organic horse dairy farm that can be visited during April and October.

Ferme du Vieux Tilleul

sells Petit - gris snails of Namur farm. These brown snails, who are smaller and softer, are usually served in a creamy garlic sauce. They are sold in glass jars in delicacy stores in Namur, liege or Brussels or directly at this farm.

Dommaine de la Pommeraie

is an Orchard specialized in apples and pears.

Bastogne/ Bouillon area:

Ferme des Sureaux

is an organic goat farm which produces cheese.

Chevrerie d'Ozo

is a goat farm open for visit on a trail.

Bergerie d'Acremont

is a sheep farm with the oldest race of belgian sheep. They have a large variety of sheep milk products.

Liege/ Spa area:

Fromagerie Counasse

traditional dairy farm which is organic since 1977 and which sells organic cheese products at the farm every Friday.

Ferme Grodent

is an organic farm producing Le Bernister & Le Malmedy cheeses and is open only on Friday and Saturday.

Organic Accommodation in French Speaking Wallonia

Farm Accommodation

Accueil Champetre en Wallonie

Gites de Wallonie

Gites or Guest Rooms "Panda"

The requirements for Panda accommodations were created by the WWF in collaboration with the associations for regional tourism and are as follows:

• Accommodations with character, located in a region known for the beauty of the surrounding nature
• Built or renovated with natural materials
• Concern for the preservation of the environment (waste sorting, energy conservation etc.)
• Observational materials and appropriate information for guests (binoculars, nature guides etc.)

There are 18 "Panda Stay"

"Organic" Gite or Guest Room

This accommodation has to be located in an active farm where "biological" agriculture is practiced or at least where "working methods with respect for the environment" are used. The suggested activities are a means to discover this agriculture, as well as quality products.

"Fishing" Gite or Guest Room

These gites and B&Bs are located near rivers, pools or lakes where guests can enjoy leisure fishing.

There are 9 "Panda Stay".

"Nature Discovery Activity" Gites or Guest Rooms

Located in a region where nature is privileged, it valorises the richness and the diversity of the natural heritage in respect of the environment. The lodger can do various leisure activities linked to the discovery of the surrounding nature. The owner will suggest at least three discovery activities, one of which at least at personal initiative. The other activities may be organised by the local authorities or, for example, by a nature guide

Durbuy Adventure

Original accommodation in a real indian tipi or in a typical chalet. A choice of 30 accommodations from 6 to 63 persons.

Annevoie Gardens

All the charm and refinement of the eighteenth century awaits you in these sumptuous gardens where carefully domesticated nature can reveal its primeval exuberance. The Annevoie Gardens are the only water gardens in Belgium and are among the most beautiful in Europe. They are listed as a Major Walloon Heritage Site. No machinery or pumps are used to create the dazzling spectacle of magic water. A uniquely splendid walk between fountains, illuminated flower - beds and sensual stops. In the summer, visitors can harvest delicious raspberries. It also has a new vegetable garden.

Wildlife Reserve Han-sur-Lesse

Next to the world-famous Caves of Han,  a Wildlife Reserve extends over 250 hectares of pure nature, where several European wildlife species roam in their natural environment : deer, boars, wolves, lynx, European bisons and many others.  The Reserve is visited in safari-car or by foot.

Herba Sana

a two hectare educational display, including 100 medical plants, grouped by disease treated, 80 wild plants from the Foignes region and 150 explanatory panels which explain the mysteries of phytotherapy.

Topiary Park

A garden of topiary (sculpted plants) which are mostly box trees pruned into a wide variety of shapes, including more than 250 figures such as crocodiles, birds, a Manneken Pis, a mermaid and stags. Some of the plants are more than 120 years old. The park is located along the bank of the River Ourthe and enjoys panoramic views of the smallest city in the world.

Hotteme Park

Open to the public since 1980 , the Nature Awareness and Sustainable Development Centre, a veritable cultural and educational gem, offers an exhibition o the discovery of the natural history of our countryside and woods with the constant themes of protecting the environment and biodivesity. Visitors can admire the wild animals of our region's countryside and forests, from the smallest goldcrest to the largest stag. This exhibition is open for all ages and is remarkable from an educational point of view as a scientific one. The park is filled with trees and flowers and is reserved for pedestrians. It is open free of charge everyday of the year. There are no cafes of restaurants but picnics are allowed. There are hot and cold drink machines and a free drinking - water fountain at the exhibition centre.

Long Distance Footpaths

Long distance footpaths are permanent sign - posted itineraries, marked in white and red (3500 km of sign - posted paths in Wallonia and Brussels). They are designed for pedestrian tourism. The itinerary is described in a Topo - guide (on sale in sport shops, tourist offices, etc.) which gives you information as to distances and notable points of interest.

RAVel

RAVel is a network of paths reserved for slow - pace travellers, i.e. non - motorised: pedestrians, cyclists, perosns with reduced mobility, roller - skaters, horse - riders (according to the width of the path), etc. An independent RAVel network offers itineraries on reserved paths, away from road traffic.

The majority f the present network is along canal towpaths. These are complemented by a series of disused railway and tramway tracks which have been specially adapted for this purpose. RAVel is a marvellous space for relaxation, for walking, for meeting and for exploration.

The main RAVel itineraries (1,2,3,4) are reproduced in guides showing the routes (maps and supporting plans) and give the attraction.

The Wood Routes

The Wood Routes are an educational tourist innovation which can be explored throughout the year. This new concept is for everyone (the general public, schools, seniors, groups, etc.) but at their own rythm. Around 100 sites are listed, more than 65 establishments who work with wood can be visited; there are dozens of wooden creations to discover. In brief, a very varied palette of educational activities, recreational, festive and artistic await you.

The Forest Route

An itinerary including forest and countryside, hills and valleys, in the depths of the forest. An itinerary for bicycle, motorcycle, cars - A road - book (plan and pictogram) in Dutch or French (English on request). An invitation to explore the regions of St. Hubert, Nassogne - Marche - en- Famenne as well as Bastogne, their specialities, their heritage, their nature and their legends. A set package for 2 nights with luggage transport and bicycle hire. Accommodation in guest houses, camp sites, private houses and Gites.

Accessibility to nature sites for people with reduced mobility

A special Group work has been created which is obect is to facilitate in every possible way the accessibility to nature sites for people with reduced mobility, to improve and increase the descriptions and guide facilities and set up a complete and more exact inventory of the facilities of these sites. This has double objective - where a person with reduced mobility can go with their wheelchair a baby in a pushchair can go too and if the guide is giving an explanation to someone who has sight problems others can hear too.

Help protecting the Nature while exploring the forest

Keep to the roads and footpaths open for use, then you won't upset the balance between vegetation and the animals.

Motor vehicles are only permitted on the roads. Walkers benefit from the serenity that reigns in the forest. Also avoid shouting and other noises which could disturb the animals.

Incase you are walking with a dog, keep it on a leashe. Your faithful companion could disturb breeding sites or frighten animals.

Avoid damaging trees. Limit your collections and certainly do not cut any protected species.

Don't light fires. The danger of fire is greater than it seems.

Camping is not allowed in the forest. There are campsites in the vicinity, however.

Be careful during the hunting season, pay attention to the restriction notices, they are there for your security.

Take your rubbish with you so that the forest will stay clean and welcoming after you leave.

Streams are also full of life. Do not disturb them.

Protected Zones

These are natural or semi natural defined ares protected and/ or managed in order to preserve their biological interest. There are nine different kinds of protected zones in Wallonia: Nature Parks, Authorized or State - owned Nature Reserves, Forestry Reserve, Wetlands and underground cavities with biological features, NATURA 2000 site, Listed site and Green spaces, nature zone and green corridor.

Natagora

Natagora is a nature protection association active in Brussels and Wallonia. In particular it leads actions to save threatened species and creates nature reserves to stop the damage to the biodiversity. At present Natagora protects more than 3700 hectares, divided by 150 reserves.

Numerous nature reserves are open to the public; some have free access to their paths, others have limited access and access to others (only a small number) is not allowed because the area is protected and the species there are rare. Every weekend Natagora organizes guided visits to them.

Animal Observation in the Forests

There are two ways of observing animals in the forests. You can either see them in Nature while walking with a special guide. These walks are organized by many associations. This is the best way to explore the animals as they live in freedom.

However, they can also be seen in animal parks or game parks where they live in semi liberty.