Jardin de l'Arbre Ballon - Dikke Beuktuin

Jardin de l'Arbre Ballon – Dikke Beuktuin is a small but distinctive public garden in the northern part of Brussels, in the Laeken district (postal code 1020), right next to Cité Modèle, one of the city's best-known mid-20th-century social housing estates. The garden sits along the avenue that shares its name – Avenue de l'Arbre Ballon / Dikke Beuklaan – and forms part of the wider green setting built around the housing estate developed by the Foyer Laekenois housing company.

Where does the name come from?

The garden's name, in both French and Dutch, refers to a large, old beech tree ("arbre ballon" in French, "dikke beuk" in Dutch, literally "fat beech") that has long stood on the site and became a landmark for the surrounding neighborhood. The public space was designed around this tree and the land it occupies, combining green areas with small landscape structures.

What makes this garden worth a visit?

The garden's most notable feature is its "escalier jardin" – a garden stairway (Dutch: "tuintrap") that works both as a functional path and a design element, guiding visitors through the site's different levels. The garden's design is associated with the French landscape architect and gardener Gilles Clément, known for an approach that works with existing vegetation and a site's natural dynamics rather than reshaping it from scratch. That philosophy shows in how the garden ties into the neighboring Cité Modèle housing blocks, creating a shared green space for residents.

The garden is compact – its area is estimated at a little over one and a half hectares (roughly 4 acres) – making it an intimate place for a walk rather than a sprawling city park. Despite its modest size, it plays an important social role as a green pocket within the dense residential fabric of this part of Laeken.

How do you get there?

The area is well connected to the rest of Brussels. Several bus lines serve the vicinity (including 240, 241, 242, 243, 250, 810, 820 and 83), along with metro line 6, making it accessible both for residents of other districts and for visitors exploring the less obvious corners of the Belgian capital.

Is the garden dog- and pedestrian-friendly?

Yes – the grounds are suitable for walking, including with dogs. This is a more local, low-key spot than the classic tourist draws of central Brussels, making it a good pick for anyone looking for a quieter, more residential side of the city, away from the crowds at the Grand Place or the Atomium.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the garden free? Yes, it is an open public space with no admission fee.

What is there to see besides the greenery? The distinctive garden stairway ("escalier jardin" / "tuintrap"), designed to connect the site's different levels, as well as the old beech tree that gave the garden its name.

Who is this place for? Mainly residents of the Cité Modèle area, along with visitors interested in landscape architecture and Brussels' lesser-known corners rather than classic tourist sights.

Can you reach it by public transport? Yes, the area is served by several bus lines and metro line 6, so getting there from the city center is straightforward.