"Stella Artois city, inhabited by Students**" Top 5 Page for this destination Leuven by Norali
Leuven Travel Guide: 587 reviews and 1,037 photos
Where to start? It was a nice cold day, planned for Suri, our Indian VT friend who was touring Belgium for some days, for the second time. Same as during his last visit, some of the Belgian Vters met him for some days through Antwerp, Brugge and Leuven.
I joined the last day of the tour. We were four to visit this city of Leuven:
a city where to study...
Gini, Dannie, Suri and Norali (hmm.. it rhymes) had some visit of the University Library. This is not your average University Library, it has some moving history. Take time to visit it if you can advise them well ahead. Jan, our guide was interesting, passionate about his Library. He would be glad to explain about Belgium history that had an impact on the fate of the University and its Library.
He speaks a good English, that can really help if you don't speak either Dutch either French. :)
The University itself has an important history behind. Played a keyrole in the Low Countries of (and from) XV century. Also played (and still plays) a key role in the big picture of Belgium' s education system.
To review this title, first check the General tips, then the Must-see activity tips.
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We visited the City hall too, with a voluble guide. Thanks for the person who offered me the guided tour. First time I really visited a City hall, the different premices... A brilliant idea made us stage a wedding ceremony in the Wedding room. Look who is taking the picture. She instilled this fun idea.
Me and my husband of the day :)
Still cracks me up. Suri seems serene whilst me... well.. can I say that I had the attitude that suits the event?
In fact, it was hilarious. The Lady from Antwerp who celebrated our .. errr... *union*... forgot something that is usual there. In this Wedding room of the City Hall, she must have told that our marriage had to last, at least, 5 years..
Plus, Suri seems to wear the wedding suit well. As for me, a bad hair day, a dark outfit... Well, it was a strange wedding ceremony despite the beauty and majesty of the premices.
Suri was ready, not me. :) By the way, would it have lasted 5 years? The future would have told... ROTF. Oh well! I know that we would have had Duvel in common, at least. Wouldn't we, Suri?
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Yes, we had some outdoor activities too. Kidding? Walking in the cold, joking around, listening to guides, window shopping. Yayyy! this weakness for jewelry would trap me one day :)
You will see in this page what I saw inside the buildings, outside in the cold.. and you will read about what I remembered and lately discovered.
Oh well, living the student life there lies in the possibility to enter any pub in Oude Markt area as well as electing residence in the quiet Beginhof area. Hmmm.. I would have liked that.
++ As quite usual in my Belgian pages, pics are from others' cameras. :))) ++
- Pros:Student life, history, beguinage
- Cons:When I was there, the works spoilt the view a bit but hey, I hadn't announced my visit so authorities were a bit surprised :)
- In a nutshell:Not your average student city
Reviews (35)
Wholegrain bread was it .. but watch out...
Restaurants
(1)
From Leuven being a University city, you can expect cheap eateries there... On our visit, we found a snack where to... more travel advice
If not you, your kids may need this :)
Local Customs
(2)
Somewhere where to sit when you have a very urgent need. Very often, public toilets are not that clean. I tried the ones... more travel advice
A little something for the guide
What to Pack
(1)
rainy weather gear: rather a water-repellent hat than an umbrella. That leaves your hand for shapshoting. telelens:... more travel advice
Rather rebuilt than renovated
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(7)
Oooh! A last piece: while visiitng Leuven, you may notice it (or not) but the city is a rebuilt one. The bombings had... more travel advice
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Comments (14)
That parking fine is not as hefty as it would be in The Netherlands! Thanks for your Leuven impression. I'll be visiting next week.
I know the feeling. Cheese and Belgian beer are what I missed most when I was in China. If you want to I can always send some cheese to you, but I don't know if it will still be edible after a rough airplane trip. :-)
Interesting night tip. I hope you can realize your dream to improve the education system in Madagascar. Keep pursuing the noble aspiration. If there is a will, there is a way ;-) Fret not. And "Just Do It!"
;-))
Dis some reading here , ran out of time. I still don't like Leuven. Is that ok? lol. I will build a page on Boortmeerbeek in the futur. The hollywood of Belgium and the real capital of Vlaams-Brabant. ;-) (very nice page floralie)
What a page ! Well done. Oh yes, keep an eye on where you park your car. I've got a 25 euro fine. Leuven's policemen - mine was a woman :-(( are very busy.
We went to Louvain Uni fm Brussels, to hear good authors read and talk. Very fond memory. Interesting reflection on your page :-)
great page well done! - Hello Mrs Suri :-)) yes, you both are cute!
That's the post-office. (Rather rebuilt than renovated)
Looks nice. you really make me excited about visiting in '05! Thanks for sharing!! -- Greg
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