Audrey Hepburn Garden

Audrey Hepburn Garden is a small, intimate park in the Brussels municipality of Ixelles (Elsene), dedicated to the memory of one of the twentieth century's most celebrated actresses, who was herself born in Brussels. The garden sits at the corner of Rue de l'Arbre Bénit and Rue Keyenveld, close to the family home where Audrey Hepburn spent part of her childhood. The location was chosen deliberately: the Ixelles authorities decided to honor the actress precisely where her family history unfolded, rather than at some arbitrary spot in the city.

Why was this garden named after her?

The park was created as a tribute to Audrey Hepburn, star of films such as "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "Roman Holiday," who later in life became known for her humanitarian work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. The garden was officially inaugurated in May, around the anniversary of her birth — Hepburn was born on 4 May 1929 in Brussels. The centerpiece of the space is a bust of the actress, created by Dutch sculptor Kees Verkade. The sculpture came to Ixelles as a gift from the actress's son, Sean Hepburn-Ferrer, presented on the occasion of his mother's birth anniversary.

What can visitors see there?

The garden's main feature is the bust of Audrey Hepburn described above, set within a modest patch of green space arranged around it — a place that feels more like an intimate memorial than a typical urban recreational park. Its coordinates place it right in the heart of Ixelles, in a dense residential part of the district, close to the streets that carry historical significance for the Hepburn-Ruston family.

Why is it worth a visit?

For film fans and anyone interested in the history of Brussels, this is one of the few spots in the city that so directly ties the urban fabric to the biography of a world-famous star. It also fits naturally into a walk through Ixelles, a district known for its elegant architecture, cafés, and proximity to other cultural attractions in Brussels. The garden itself is not large, so a visit takes only a short while, but it makes for an interesting addition to an itinerary for travelers looking for lesser-known points on the city map.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Audrey Hepburn Garden located? The garden is in the Ixelles (Elsene) municipality, at the corner of Rue de l'Arbre Bénit and Rue Keyenveld, near the actress's family home.

When was the park created? It was inaugurated in May, around the anniversary of Audrey Hepburn's birth on 4 May.

What is the main feature of the garden? A bust of Audrey Hepburn by Dutch sculptor Kees Verkade, donated to the city by the actress's son.

Is it a large park? No — it is a small, intimate memorial space rather than an expansive recreational park.

Why did Ixelles choose to honor Audrey Hepburn specifically? The actress was born in Brussels and spent part of her childhood in a house on Rue Keyenveld in Ixelles, giving the district a direct link to her biography.