Auderghem

Auderghem (Oudergem in Dutch) is a green, peaceful residential municipality in the southeast of the Brussels-Capital Region. It is the wealthiest and leafiest of Brussels' 19 communes, known for its large villas, tree-lined avenues, and its border with the Forêt de Soignes (Zoniënwoud), a vast 4,400-hectare beech forest that stretches into Flanders and Wallonia. Auderghem has a quiet, almost village-like character despite being only 15 minutes from Grand Place. The Rouge-Cloître (Rood-Klooster) — a 14th-century Augustinian priory turned cultural centre — sits in a forest clearing and is the municipality's most iconic landmark. The climate is the same as the rest of Brussels; visit May–October for the best forest walks.

By Plane

Brussels Airport (BRU) is 18 km north; take a train to Brussels-Schuman (15 min) then bus 34 or tram 8 to Auderghem (30 min total, €8.30 + €2.10). Charleroi Airport (CRL) is 60 km south — airport shuttle to Brussels-Luxembourg station (1 hr, €16) then bus 34 or 41.

By Train

Auderghem has no railway station; the nearest main station is Brussels-Luxembourg (4 km) on line 161. From there, bus 34 runs directly along the main boulevard Souverain through Auderghem. Train connections to Brussels-Schuman (5 min) and all major Belgian cities.

By Car / Road

Driving from central Brussels via the Boulevard Général Jacques and Boulevard du Souverain takes 20 minutes. The E411 motorway from Namur passes along the southeast edge. Free and paid street parking is available, but many residential streets require a local permit.

Bus lines 34 and 41 run along the main artery (Boulevard du Souverain), connecting Auderghem to the metro at Herrmann-Debroux (line 5) and to Brussels-Luxembourg station. Tram line 8 starts at Roodebeek and runs via Herrmann-Debroux to Louise. Auderghem is best explored by bike (Villo! stations are available) or car — the forest is the main attraction and walking trails start from several edges of the commune. Taxis and Uber are available but infrequent.

• Rouge-Cloître (Rood-Klooster) — A 14th-century Augustinian priory with a beautiful farmstead, pond, and cultural centre in the Forêt de Soignes. The site hosts art exhibitions, concerts, and a café terrace. Free entry to the grounds. Open year-round. Avenue du Rouge-Cloître.

• Forêt de Soignes (Zoniënwoud) — A UNESCO World Heritage beech forest accessed from multiple entry points in Auderghem. Marked walking, cycling, and horse-riding trails criss-cross the woods. Free.

• Château Souverain — A 19th-century neo-Renaissance château in the Parc de la Héronnière, now used for municipal events. The grounds are open to the public.

• Église Sainte-Anne — A neo-Romanesque church built in 1875 on the Place Communale, with a distinctive tower visible from much of the commune.

• Parc du Rouge-Cloître — A landscaped park around the old pond of the priory, with century-old trees, a wooden footbridge, and picnic spots.

• Walk the Sentier des Moines — A marked trail from the Rouge-Cloître through the Forêt de Soignes, following the path the Augustinian monks once took. About 10 km round trip.

• Cycle the Forêt de Soignes — The forest has 120 km of bike routes; rent a bike from Villo! or a local shop and explore the green tunnels of beech trees.

• Birdwatching at the Rouge-Cloître pond — Herons, kingfishers, ducks, and occasionally the shy European crested tit can be spotted. Best early morning.

• Visit the Val Duchesse park — A peaceful formal garden attached to the Val Duchesse estate, open to the public. Free.

• Le Rouge-Cloître (Avenue du Rouge-Cloître 2) — Friendly café-restaurant at the priory with outdoor terrace, serving Belgian classics (carbonnade, vol-au-vent) and lunch salads. Mains €14–22.
• L'Étoile de l'Est (Boulevard du Souverain 216) — Thai and Vietnamese restaurant with a loyal local following. Mains €12–18, lunch menu €12.
• Brasserie du Souverain (Boulevard du Souverain 352) — Classic Belgian brasserie with steaks, mussels, and beer-braised dishes. Mains €16–26.
• Pizzeria Da Enzo (Chaussée de Wavre 1686) — Neapolitan-style pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven. Pizzas €9–14.

• Café de la Liberté (Place Communale 3) — The main local pub, serving Belgian beers on tap. Popular with residents for after-work drinks.
• Brasserie du Souverain bar — Full bar with Orval, Chimay, and other Trappist ales.
• Rouge-Cloître tea terrace — Ice creams, teas, and soft drinks in the forest setting. Open seasonally.

• Budget: There are no hostels in Auderghem. The nearest budget options are in Ixelles (Brussels Generation Hostel, from €22/night).
• Mid-range: Hotel Van Slycke (Avenue de la Forêt 5) — a family-run hotel near the forest, doubles from €90 with breakfast.
• Upscale: The nearest upscale hotels are in central Brussels or the Leopold Quarter (e.g., Hotel Stanhope, Hilton Grand Place).

Auderghem is mainly residential with no major shopping district. The Place Communale has a small supermarket, a bakery (La Baguette Dorée), and a pharmacy. For serious shopping, head to Woluwe-Saint-Pierre (Woluwe Shopping Centre) or central Brussels. The Saturday morning market (Place Jourdan) is a short bus ride away.

• Woluwe-Saint-Pierre (10 min by bus) — Elegant residential area with the Parc de Woluwe and Art Deco architecture.
• Watermael-Boitsfort (10 min by car/bus) — Green commune with access to the Forêt de Soignes and the Chapelle musicale Reine Élisabeth.
• Brussels City Centre (20 min by bus+metro) — All the major sights, museums, and nightlife.
• Tervuren (15 min by car through the forest) — Home to the Royal Museum for Central Africa and the beautiful Tervuren Park.
• Namur (40 min by car via E411) — The Walloon capital with a massive citadel and charming old town.