Musée d'Interprétation Archéologique du Brabant wallon
Interactive archaeology museum in the park of the château d'Hélécine: prehistory, Gallo-Roman antiquity, objects to handle and an excavation simulator.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The MiaBW is the archaeology museum of the province of Brabant wallon. It succeeded the archaeological museum of Orp-le-Grand and now occupies the right-hand pavilion of the château d'Hélécine, on the provincial estate. The château itself is the former abbey of Heylissem, founded in the early 12th century by Norbertine canons, converted into a château after the French Revolution, and acquired by the province of Brabant in 1962.
The museum aims to be a place of active and sensory experiences rather than a museum of display cases: you touch, smell and listen. The route comprises four areas: human evolution, hunting and nature in prehistory, an immersive prehistoric camp with workshops, and a reconstructed Gallo-Roman area. An excavation simulator with a laboratory teaches visitors the gestures and methods of archaeologists.
A team of archaeologist educators offers activities for schools, family or group visits, prehistoric birthday parties and, during the holidays, numerous courses for children.
Highlights
- Four-area route: human evolution, hunting, prehistoric camp and the Gallo-Roman world
- Objects and fossils to handle, including a large mammoth bone
- Excavation simulator with laboratory
- “Augmented” guided tours with demonstrations
- “Prehistoric Family” activities and prehistoric birthday parties
Permanent exhibition
- Parcours permanent du musée – Four areas devoted to human evolution, hunting in prehistory, an immersive prehistoric camp and a Gallo-Roman area, plus an excavation simulator.
- Operated by
- Province du Brabant wallon
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 11 · Free for children under 12 on self-guided visits. |
| “Augmented” guided tour (about 1 hour 15 minutes) | €5€2.50 for children under 12; objects to handle and a short demonstration of the archaeologist's choice. |
| “Prehistoric Family” activity (1 hour 30 minutes) | €12€8 per child under 12; for families with children from age 3, by reservation, on specific dates. |
| Prehistoric birthday party (package for 15 children) | €150€10 per additional child (20 children at most); €1 extra per child for a snack on site; free for parents. |
Free admission: First Sunday of the month, from 13:00 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
Payment on site, no deposit (cash or bank card).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 11 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Kids’ birthday parties
Objects and fossils to handle, excavation simulator, family activities, summer courses, and prehistoric birthday parties for children aged 5 to 13 (Wednesday afternoons by reservation, except in July and August). The estate also has playgrounds.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Three large car parks on the provincial estate; red arrows on the map show the way to the museum.
The museum is in the right-hand pavilion of the château d'Hélécine, in the park of the provincial estate.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Reception and shop at the museum. The provincial estate also has a Pop-up Bar with tourist information.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 75 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours and activities in French, led by archaeologist educators; booking strongly recommended for groups, families and schools (by email, telephone, Facebook or WhatsApp). |
