La Hulpe
Solvay ESTATE – SCULPTURE EXHIBITION IN THE PARK
Forty bronze sculptures contrast against the green backdrop of Solvay Park : birds, a card, people, luggage, travellers, etc. invite the visitor to escape, to dream, to contemplate life while walking around this enchanting estate. This exhibition is the high point of the retrospective.
The Solvay Estate, a beautiful 227-hectare green park, which is part of the Soignes Forest, has some exceptional fauna and flora : more than 450 species have been identified, including 17 highly rare species.
Walkers can also admire the harmonious architecture of the Castle of La Hulpe. The castle was built in 1842 by the Marquis of Béthune, in the style of the French châteaux built during the reigns of Louis XII and François I and was acquired by Ernest Solvay, a chemist and caustic soda magnate, in 1893.
With a view of maintaining the integrity of the estate, Ernest-John Solvay, his grandson, donated the estate to the Belgian State in 1968.
Since 1995 the estate has been in hands of the Walloon Region, which has classified the site as an exceptional Walloon heritage. The park is now open to the general public throughout the year.
Chaussée de Bruxelles, 111
1310 La Hulpe
+32 (0)2 653 10 20
www.chateaudelahulpe.wallonie.be
Free admission
Temporary exhibition: from 25/04/08 until 28/09/08.
Opening hours : from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. (April through September).