Waux-hall

Waux-hall is a five-hectare landscaped park in Mons, Belgium, and one of the city's favourite green retreats for anyone who wants a break from the historic centre. The park's name has English roots, echoing the "pleasure gardens" of the 18th and 19th centuries, where the well-to-do would stroll, socialise, and admire carefully designed greenery.

Where did the park come from?

The park was laid out between 1862 and 1864 to a design by landscape architect Louis Fuchs. The initiative came from a group of prominent members of the Mons bourgeoisie, who wanted a representative recreational space modelled on the English landscape garden tradition. For its first three decades the park stayed in private hands — it was only in 1892 that the city of Mons purchased the grounds and opened them to the public, turning an exclusive garden into a shared civic space.

What is there to see?

At the heart of the park stands a pavilion built in an eclectic style, designed by architect Jules Hubert. It's around this building that much of the park's social life still gathers — a meeting point, a vantage spot, and a shaded place to rest among centuries-old trees. The park is also known for its collection of outdoor sculptures dating from the 19th and 20th centuries, scattered along its paths and lawns, which gives the grounds a romantic, slightly nostalgic character.

The greenery here isn't a random mix of trees and grass but a deliberately composed landscape: dense stands of old trees, small ponds, and broad lawns where around one hundred thousand flower bulbs bloom every spring. Spring is when the park is at its most spectacular, as carpets of crocuses, tulips, and other bulb flowers draw walkers and photographers alike.

Who is it for?

Waux-hall is a classic 19th-century-style urban landscape park — informal, with winding paths, picturesque views, and shaded spots to sit down. It works well as a destination for a quiet walk, a break from sightseeing in Mons, or a picnic on the grass. Its short distance from the historic centre makes it easy to combine a visit to the park with a walk around the old town.

Frequently asked questions

How big is Waux-hall park? It covers about five hectares.

Who designed the park? It was laid out by landscape architect Louis Fuchs, with work carried out between 1862 and 1864.

Since when has the park been open to the public? The city of Mons bought the grounds in 1892, and the park has been open to everyone ever since.

What is the park's architectural landmark? An eclectic-style pavilion designed by Jules Hubert, along with a collection of 19th- and 20th-century outdoor sculptures.

When is the best time to visit? In spring, when around one hundred thousand flower bulbs planted across the lawns come into bloom.