Lac de Louvain-la-Neuve
The Lac de Louvain-la-Neuve is an artificial lake with a calm surface covering about 5 hectares and a gentle depth of approximately 4 feet (1.2 meters), surrounded by willows and oaks. A walking path called Rêverie du Promeneur Solitaire loops around the water for about 1.5 kilometers, passing through green spaces and alongside reeds and water grasses that fringe the shores.
The lake was built in the mid-1970s to 1980s to manage excess rainwater and prevent flooding as the new city of Louvain-la-Neuve was developed on former farmland. It functions as a retention basin that collects storm runoff and releases water slowly into the nearby river system, protecting the neighborhoods and infrastructure from flood damage.
The lake serves as a gathering place where locals and students enjoy walking, jogging, and relaxing by the water throughout the year. Art installations and murals decorate the surrounding pathways, creating an inviting space that encourages community activities and connects people with nature in the middle of the city.
The lake is open daily at no cost, with nearby parking and a well-maintained walking trail suitable for jogging, cycling, and casual strolls around the entire perimeter. Facilities include rest benches, a small bridge connecting different areas, and accessibility for visitors with mobility needs, though swimming is prohibited for safety reasons.
A white pelican, a species not native to the region, was spotted on the lake for several days in 2014 and attracted many visitors wanting to see this rare sight. The unusual sighting remains a memorable event for locals and demonstrates how the lake occasionally hosts unexpected wildlife visitors during migration.
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