Jacques Brel Park

Jacques Brel Park is a small, pleasantly untamed green space in the municipality of Forest, south of central Brussels. Compared with the city's grander gardens it stays fairly under the radar, which for many visitors is exactly its charm — a quiet, natural setting without the manicured feel of more famous parks.

Where does the park's name come from?

The site was originally known as Parc des Éperons d'Or (Golden Spurs Park), a name referring to a castle that once stood here and has long since disappeared. In 1980 the park was renamed in honour of Jacques Brel, the Belgian singer, songwriter, actor and director born on 8 April 1929 in Schaerbeek and who died on 9 October 1978 in Bobigny, France. Brel remains one of the most influential figures of 20th-century French-language song, and his legacy is closely tied to Brussels.

What can you actually see there?

The most direct tribute to the park's namesake is a bust of Jacques Brel, created in 1982 by the artist known as Klaus. The pedestal carries a line from one of his songs, "Fils de...", giving the spot a distinctly literary feel among the greenery.

The real natural landmark, though, is the Joséphine Oak — a pedunculate oak estimated at around 400 years old, considered the oldest tree in Brussels. Its trunk exceeds 650 centimetres in circumference, an impressive sight even for visitors with no particular interest in old trees. The oak predates the park itself and stands as a living link to the land's much older history.

The grounds also hold the Joséphine Pavilion, built in 1910 to a design by architect Tayart de Borms. The structure suffered vandalism over the years, but it was restored in 2019 and now stands again as one of the park's architectural highlights.

Why is the park a protected site?

Because of its historical and landscape value, the park was listed as a classified heritage site of the Forest municipality on 17 June 1993. The protection covers both the layout of the grounds and the oldest natural features, chief among them the ancient oak.

Getting there and visiting tips

The park sits in Forest, close to the Jacques Brel metro station named after the same artist, making it easy to reach by public transport. It makes for a calm, unhurried walk away from the busier tourist routes of central Brussels — worth bringing a camera for both the bust and the monumental oak.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the park named after Jacques Brel? It was renamed in 1980 to honour the Belgian singer and poet, a figure closely associated with Brussels' cultural identity.

What was the park called before? Parc des Éperons d'Or, after a now-vanished castle that once stood on the site.

What is the park's main attraction? The roughly 400-year-old Joséphine Oak, the oldest tree in Brussels, and the 1982 bust of Jacques Brel.

Is the park a protected heritage site? Yes, it has been a classified monument of the Forest municipality since 17 June 1993.