Le moulin à vent de Woluwe-Saint-Lambert was built around 1767 in Esplechin, near Tournai and nearly vanished due to competition from flour mills. The passion of one man, Doctor Duthoit, saved it. Purchased by the doctor in the 1930’s and carefully restored, the mill went through its second childhood in Arc-Ainieres, in the province of Hainaut. in 1960, Doctor Duthoit’s widow gave it to the town of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, where it was subsequently transferred. Twenty years later, another major restoration was needed after a fire, and the mill was rebuilt at its current location.
Chapel of Marie la Miserable This Gothic chapel, whose origins certainly date from the 14th century, was modified many times until its restoration in 1970. It evokes the moving story – told by the playwright M. de Ghelderode in his play Marie la Miserable (1952) – of a young peasant girl who became the victim of a powerful person whose advances she had spurned. To avenge himself, the rebuffed seducer slipped a valuable vase into her bag, then accused her of theft. Injustly condemned, the young girl was buried alive.
The Parc Malou with its 20 acres is the largest park of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert but also the oldest. Amoung other things It features the Moulin Lindekemale (old mill), The Château Malou (Castle), A large playground for children, a fishermen’s pond, walks along the rivière Woluwe (Woluwe river) and sightings of wildlife such as ducks and swans.
Built downstream from the confluence of the Woluwe and Struykbeek, this former grist mill, mentioned in texts as early as 1129, used water from both of these streams to increase its power. In the 19th century, paper was also made here.
Around 1900, faced with competition from the milling industry, the managers opened the Mill Milk Bar a place where walkers stopped to quench their thirst. Acquired by the town in 1955, this is the only mill to have survived the urbanisation of the valley. The paddle wheel was restored in 1994.
The imposing statue of the roaring Lion by Raymond de Meester de Betzenbroeck
The road leading to tip of the large fisherman’s pond
the Malou lake from a corner
Closer look
View from across the lake
On the other side of the Étang de Pêche (fisherman’s pound)
Some of the wildlife birds living on the Lac Malou
On the lawn next of the Chateau Malou
Wild Bird Crossing
Chateau Malou
Built in 1776, as an engraved inscription notes, for Lambert de Lamberts, a rich knighted merchant, this lovely Neoclassical country residence stands among the foliage of around eight hectares of property.
The chateau owes its current name to one former owner, the Catholic politician and financier Jules Malou (1810-1886), whose descendants gave it to the town in 1951. It was transformed into a cultural centre and since 1972 has housed the Gallery for Lending Art Words which promotes contemporary visual artists.
ducks and swans returning into the pond
Path across the park
A large playground at one end of the Park called the Chalet Malou
Cook & Book is an amazing new concept of nine very classy bookshops all grouped together where each runs its own specific theme. The novelty is that they are at the same time restaurants where one could come for a simple drink or enjoy a full meal while browsing for his favorite books. There are sections dedicated to travel, comics, personal development, literature, print media, children’s books, contemporary art, classical music and jazz, and there’s also a particularly attractive section given over to works in English.
Tables in the back where you can enjoy a meal or a drink
View of both the restaurant and book section
All the bookstores are linked and one can go from theme to theme
The interiors are designed to reflect the books on sale as recipe books are displayed in an Italian-style trattoria with an open kitchen, tiled floor and Fiat 600 parked next to the counter.
Food and drinks are available in all nine bookstores
The comfortable English bookshop occupies a carpeted room with eccentric armchairs and lamps decorated with Union Jack flags.
Home improvement and gardening part
Classical music and jazz themed bookstore
For the travel bookshop, the designers have reproduced an American lunchroom adding lampshades made from Warhol-style Campbell soup cans.
Replica aluminum caravan
People can even go inside to enjoy a meal
A single table is inside where a maximum of four people can enjoy one of the most eccentric eating experiences in Brussels.
Comic strip bookstore
The largest restaurant section of all the bookstores is just after
Literature bookstore
Contemporary Art
On my way out…
Open seven days days a week from early 08:00 until 22:00, Thursday 00:00 and Sundays 20:00.
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