Bruxelles Champetre

Each year in September, Brussels devotes one Sunday to the environment, forbidding cars around the city and encouraging people to move around by bike, roller blades or just by foot. It is a nice occasion for exploring the city more calmly, without the noise of the traffic: pedestrians take over the streets, wandering around with family and friends, and enjoying the chill vibes of the weekend.

In addition to that, the city organizes the Bruxelles Champetre (literally, Rural Brussels), a festival in the heart of the city. It aims at raising awareness on important topics like nutrition and environment. The stands and producers present focus on slow food, the production (and importance) of local and bio food and how to protect the planet, reducing climate change and adapting a lifestyle less harmful to the planet. The festival explores the topics of car-sharing and presents NGOs working in fair trade, supporting developing economies and diminishing their impact on the planet. Foodies can discover new artisanal beers, food trucks devoted to bio ingredients and new tasty recipes from 14 different local producers. These will let you taste delicious biscuits, cheeses, honey, fois gras, cakes, wines and much more.

Since this is a festival, music, fun and entertainment can’t miss. Local independent artisans will show you their production and will teach you their techniques, while more than 20 musical performances will take place in five different parts of Brussels’ park. “Discoveries” stands will introduce you to various, fascinating topics: from pregnancy, to recognizing mushrooms and plants. Little Food will also talk to you about replacing meat with insects, a cheaper and more nutritious alternative for your diet.  Lastly, if we’re lucky enough and it will be sunny, adults may take part to the big pic nic all around the park, while children enjoy the carousel and play with the main attractions present.