Ferme du Parc Maximilien - Boerderij van het Maximiliaanpark

The Maximilien Park Farm (Ferme du Parc Maximilien / Boerderij van het Maximiliaanpark) is an urban educational farm right in the middle of Brussels, next to the Yser metro station, on the northern edge of the historic Pentagon. It's an unexpected patch of countryside squeezed between the North Quarter and the city's old port quays — a spot where residents of the Belgian capital can step away from the urban noise and spend time among farm animals surrounded by greenery.

What is there to see on site?

The farm is home to alpacas, ponies, donkeys, goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens, peacocks, geese and ducks. Alongside the animal enclosures, the grounds also include a collective vegetable garden tended by local residents, an orchard, beehives and a composting area — all designed to show an urban audience where food comes from and how a small-scale agricultural ecosystem can work in the heart of a metropolis.

What is the history behind this place?

The farm has existed since 1987, though the land it now occupies had a very different past: it was once used as a railway station and later as a heliport. Over time this industrial fragment of the city was transformed into a space with a social and educational purpose, becoming one of the few examples in Brussels of urban farming carried out at this scale in such a central location.

What is the farm's mission?

The farm's core purpose is environmental education and raising awareness among residents. It functions as a pocket of biodiversity in the middle of dense urban development — through shared vegetable growing, composting and the use of renewable energy, it demonstrates practical, small-scale solutions that visitors can apply in their own surroundings. It also serves as a meeting point for the local North Quarter community, where neighbors can gather around shared activities.

What can visitors do here?

The farm is open to visitors free of charge — anyone can simply walk in, look at the animals and see the gardens. Beyond that, it runs educational workshops for schools and groups, activity sessions, day camps and holiday camps for children, and hosts events such as birthday parties and team-building gatherings for companies and organizations. This range of activities means the site draws families with young children as well as schools and organized groups looking for an unusual venue.

Who is this place for?

The Maximilien Park Farm works especially well as a stop for families with children who want contact with farm animals without leaving the city, but it also appeals to anyone curious about what urban agriculture looks like in practice. It's a worthwhile addition for travelers exploring the North Quarter and the former port area — a break from the capital's typical sightseeing and a chance to see a lesser-known, more human side of Brussels.

Frequently asked questions

Is admission to the farm free? Yes, individual visits are free of charge and open to everyone.

What animals can be seen on site? The farm keeps alpacas, ponies, donkeys, goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens, peacocks, geese and ducks, among others.

How do you get there? The farm sits right next to the Yser metro station, on the northern edge of central Brussels.

Can you book a birthday party or corporate event here? Yes, the farm organizes birthday celebrations, activity sessions and team-building gatherings.

Since when has this farm existed? It has operated as an urban farm since 1987; before that, the site was used as a railway station and later as a heliport.