Watermael-Boitsfort Municipal Hall

Watermael-Boitsfort Municipal Hall serves as the seat of local government for one of the nineteen municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region, located on the city's south-eastern edge, right next to the Sonian Forest. The building, historically known as Villa Beaulieu, was constructed in 1845 as a residence with the character of a former hunting lodge before gradually taking on its present administrative role for the entire municipality.

Where exactly is the municipal hall located?

The building stands at the heart of Watermael-Boitsfort (Watermaal-Bosvoorde in Dutch), a municipality known for its green spaces, ponds, and proximity to forested land. Its coordinates place it at roughly 50.798°N, 4.417°E, on the eastern side of Brussels, a few kilometers from the city center. The municipality's name reflects its two historic components: Watermael, traditionally more rural in character, and Boitsfort, long associated with woodland and former hunting residences.

Why is the building linked to hunting history?

The name and architectural character trace back to the building's original purpose as a villa with the features of a hunting lodge, erected in the mid-19th century. The area around Watermael-Boitsfort has long been connected with hunting, owing to the extensive forest complexes surrounding Brussels. As the municipality grew and its administration developed, the building was gradually converted for official use, with Villa Beaulieu becoming the seat of local governance.

What functions does the municipal hall serve today?

Today the building operates as the town hall (hôtel communal in French, gemeentehuis in Dutch), hosting municipal council sessions, the civil registry office, and administrative services for residents. As the seat of local authority, it serves as a natural reference point for civic life in the municipality and the place where residents handle official matters.

How to get there and what else is worth seeing nearby?

Watermael-Boitsfort is known for its elegant villa districts, Art Nouveau and modernist residential architecture, and its closeness to the Sonian Forest (Forêt de Soignes), one of the most valuable forest complexes in the Brussels region. The area around the municipal hall makes a good starting point for a walk through the municipality's green avenues, toward the Boitsfort ponds or the former racecourse. The building's residential architectural character sets it apart from the more austere administrative buildings typically found elsewhere in the city.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors go inside the Watermael-Boitsfort Municipal Hall? As an active administrative building, it is primarily accessible to residents handling official business; its architecture, however, can be freely admired from outside while walking through the municipal center.

Where does the name Villa Beaulieu come from? It refers to the building's original character as an elegant residence built in 1845, before the municipality took it over for administrative purposes.

Are there other attractions worth visiting nearby? Yes — the Sonian Forest lies in the immediate vicinity, along with the municipality's distinctive villa architecture, popular among architecture enthusiasts and those looking for green, quiet walks.

What is the difference between the French and Dutch names of the municipality? Watermael-Boitsfort is the French name, while Watermaal-Bosvoorde is the Dutch one; both are used officially, in line with the bilingual status of the Brussels-Capital Region.