Simone de Beauvoir Park

Simone de Beauvoir Park is a compact green pocket right in the historic heart of Brussels, standing within the Pentagon — the ring of streets that also contains the Grand Place and the famous Manneken Pis statue. At just 0.8 hectares, it is modest in size, but its central position makes it a genuinely useful breathing space for residents and visitors moving through the busiest part of the city.

Where does the park's name come from?

For decades this plot was known as Parc Fontainas, honouring the Belgian politician André-Napoléon Fontainas. In 2019, city authorities renamed it after Simone de Beauvoir, the French philosopher and writer best remembered for her landmark 1949 work on women's rights, "The Second Sex." The renaming reflected a broader effort in Brussels to give public spaces the names of women who shaped intellectual and social history.

What did archaeologists find beneath the park?

Before the site took its current form, archaeologists carried out excavations in spring 2016 across roughly 700 square metres of the plot. The dig uncovered the foundations of a 19th-century brewery known as Den Baert, which had operated on the site — along the former lane Baardgang — until 1949. Earlier finds in the immediate surroundings had already turned up Roman coins from the 3rd century and traces of 14th-century habitation, pointing to a long, layered history of settlement in this corner of the city centre.

What is the park like today, and what can visitors do there?

The present-day park has no fencing and stays open around the clock, making it as much a through-route as a place to linger. Entrances open onto Place Fontainas, Rue d'Anderlecht, Rue des Six Jetons and Rue van Artevelde, so it can be reached easily from several sides of the surrounding blocks. The grounds have also been adapted for visitors with reduced mobility.

Inside, the park offers a children's playground, a dedicated off-leash area for dogs, and a drinking-water fountain. Together these small facilities turn it into a genuine neighbourhood meeting point — used by parents with young children, dog owners, and anyone looking for a short pause within the dense, built-up city centre.

Why is it worth a stop when exploring central Brussels?

Because it sits so close to the Grand Place and Manneken Pis, the park is easy to fold into a walk through the historic centre without a real detour. It works well as a quiet interlude between sightseeing stops — a few minutes away from crowds and traffic before heading back into the Pentagon's busier streets.

Frequently asked questions

Is the park fenced, and does it have fixed opening hours? No — there is no fence, and the park is accessible to visitors at any time, day or night.

Can I bring a dog? Yes, the park includes a designated area where dogs are allowed off the leash.

Where does the current name come from? The park was previously called Parc Fontainas; it was renamed in 2019 in honour of Simone de Beauvoir, the French philosopher and author of "The Second Sex."

Are there any historical traces on the site? Archaeologists uncovered the foundations of the 19th-century Den Baert brewery beneath the park in 2016, and earlier finds nearby included Roman coins and evidence of medieval habitation.

Is the park accessible for visitors with reduced mobility? Yes, the grounds have been adapted for accessibility, with entrances available from several surrounding streets.