Parc Jacques Depelsenaire (Charleroi)

Parc Jacques Depelsenaire is a spacious urban park in Charleroi, Belgium, located in the Ville-Haute district between the Palace of Justice and the Commercial Court, close to the former Glass Museum. Covering roughly 72 ares, it ranks among the largest green spaces in the city centre.

Where does the park's name come from?

The land the park now occupies once served as a military parade ground (plaine des manœuvres). Its modern layout was designed by architect Jacques Depelsenaire between 1959 and 1963, alongside the construction of the Charleroi Palace of Justice. Depelsenaire was responsible for numerous public buildings across the city, and in recognition of his work, the authorities of Charleroi merged several adjoining green squares into a single park on 4 March 2015, naming it in his honour.

What green spaces made up the site before 2015?

Before receiving its unified name, the area functioned as three separate squares: square Napoléon, square Marie Popelin, and square du Deuxième Chasseur. Combining them into one urban planning project tidied up public space in this part of the city and made it easier for residents to use the area as a single, coherent recreational ground.

What can visitors see in the park?

Parc Jacques Depelsenaire is notable for its sculptures and contemporary artworks, set among pathways and lawns. Water features also punctuate the landscape, giving the park a distinctive character. In 2011, the upper section surrounding the former Palais du Verre (Glass Palace) was redesigned by architects Jean-Pierre Hernalsteens and Philippe Mousset. That renovation included, among other elements, an overflow basin that serves both an aesthetic purpose and a practical one, helping manage stormwater on the site.

Why does the park matter to Charleroi?

Thanks to its central location next to the city's key judicial institutions, the park functions as a representative green enclave within a densely built-up part of Charleroi. It combines a recreational role with that of a public space carrying cultural weight, owing to the outdoor art on display. For residents and visitors alike, it offers a break from the urban bustle, and its proximity to major administrative buildings makes it a frequent thoroughfare in the everyday life of the city.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the park located? In the Ville-Haute district of Charleroi, between the Palace of Justice and the Commercial Court.

Where does the park's name come from? From Jacques Depelsenaire, the architect who designed the green space between 1959 and 1963 and who also designed many other public buildings in Charleroi.

When did the park receive its current name? On 4 March 2015, when three formerly separate squares were merged into one.

What is worth seeing in the park? Sculptures and contemporary art installations, along with water features, including the overflow basin added during the 2011 renovation around the former Palais du Verre.