Gardens of Fontenay-Sous-Bois

The Gardens of Fontenay-Sous-Bois are a municipal park in Etterbeek, one of the nineteen municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region. The green space sits near the carrefour de la Chasse, right behind the local sports centre and public swimming pool. Visitors can enter the park from Rue des Champs at number 67 or from Rue Général Fivé at number 18, making it easily reachable both for residents of the surrounding streets and for people using the neighbouring sports facilities.

Where does the park's name come from?

The park takes its name from Fontenay-sous-Bois, a French municipality on the eastern outskirts of Paris. Etterbeek has been twinned with Fontenay-sous-Bois since 1972, and the gardens were created as a local, lasting expression of that long-standing municipal partnership. Naming public green spaces after twin towns is a fairly common practice in Brussels and other Belgian cities, serving as a permanent symbol of the relationship between the two communities.

What can visitors do in the park?

The park's main feature is a tree-lined path that runs through the entire site from one end to the other, offering a shaded route for a walk. The gardens are not purely a place for strolling, though — a significant part of the grounds is given over to sports infrastructure. Visitors will find multisport courts, a basketball court, table tennis tables, and outdoor fitness equipment. This combination makes the Gardens of Fontenay-Sous-Bois both a recreational green space and a spot for outdoor physical activity, particularly popular among residents of the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Because the park borders the sports centre and public swimming pool, it functions as a natural extension of the recreational offer in this part of Etterbeek. After a workout or a swim, it is easy to step outside for a short rest among the trees or to make use of one of the outdoor courts.

When is the park open?

Opening hours change with the seasons. From September to May, the park is open from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM; in June and July, hours extend to 9:00 AM–9:00 PM; and in August, the park is open from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. This schedule reflects the longer daylight hours of summer and gives residents the chance to use the park later into the evening during the warmer months.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to the Gardens of Fontenay-Sous-Bois? The park is located in Etterbeek, near the carrefour de la Chasse. It can be entered from Rue des Champs (number 67) or Rue Général Fivé (number 18).

Are there facilities for physically active visitors? Yes. The park includes multisport courts, a basketball court, table tennis tables, and outdoor fitness equipment.

Why is a park in Belgium named after a French town? The name commemorates Etterbeek's twin-town partnership with Fontenay-sous-Bois, near Paris, in place since 1972.

Is the park close to other recreational facilities? Yes, it directly borders a sports centre and a public swimming pool, making this part of Etterbeek a concentrated recreational area.