Musée de l'Eau et de la Fontaine

About the museum

The Musée de l'Eau et de la Fontaine was founded in 1989 in Genval, on the initiative of Jean-Pierre Courtois. It celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary there in 2014, then left Genval in 2017 to settle in the Bois des Rêves, a 67-hectare provincial estate of woods and paths in Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve. Floods damaged the former spaces in 2021, and the museum opened its new exhibition rooms in 2024.

The museum's project is first and foremost educational: it approaches water as a resource, through its uses, the climate and the inequalities that access to it reveals, and it highlights the heritage linked to water. The visit follows the history of access to water and its distribution, with objects from here and elsewhere that can be handled, both indoors and outdoors, part of the exhibition being in the open air.

The collections are enriched by gifts and acquisitions, and a documentation centre is accessible by registration. The museum is run by a non-profit association and offers activities, guided tours, birthday parties and programmes for schools, groups and families. It also runs the participatory project “Fontaines de Belgique”, an interactive map of more than 300 water points to which anyone can suggest a fountain.

Highlights

• Self-guided route with objects to touch and handle, indoors and outdoors
• History of access to water and its distribution over time
• Participatory project “Fontaines de Belgique” with interactive map
• Located in the provincial estate of the Bois des Rêves, with playground and picnic area
• Activities, birthday parties and guided tours by reservation

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours libre : l'eau d'hier et d'aujourd'hui – Route to take at your own pace, with objects to observe and handle indoors and outdoors, around access to water, its distribution and the heritage linked to water.

Founded

1989

Operated by

ASBL Musée de l'Eau et de la Fontaine

Director

Julie Marbaix

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month, April to September

Adults and young people from 13: €5; children aged 6 to 12: €3; free up to age 5. PROF card: free. Tickets online; no reservation needed for an individual visit. School rates are on the museum's website.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Partial access for people with reduced mobility; strollers welcome. The museum advises preparing the visit on access-i.be. Toilets nearby.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 6+

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Visit recommended from age 6; the self-guided route suits children aged 3 to 10, with a game handed out at reception. Birthday parties for age groups (4–6, 5–7, 7–9 and 8–10) on Wednesdays and at weekends. Playground and picnic area; toilets and changing table nearby.

Getting there & parking

By bicycle: 1.6 km from the Lac de Louvain-la-Neuve, junction node 55, with free bicycle parking. The museum is in the provincial estate of the Bois des Rêves.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop with the mascot Perlita. Light refreshments nearby, picnic area, indoor and outdoor activity rooms. Umbrellas are lent in case of rain during the visit.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit