The park was once home to the Royal Zoological Garden of Brussels before being redesigned as a public park.
The Tour Egmont is the only surviving structure from the original Abbey of La Cambre's surrounding defensive walls.
The park's geology contains fossils embedded in the stone of the former Solvay Institute buildings.
It served as a scientific hub in the early 20th century, housing the laboratories of the Solvay Physics and Chemistry Institutes.
The pond is fed by natural springs that previously powered local windmills in the Maelbeek valley.
Parc Léopold is a historical urban green space located in the heart of the European Quarter of Brussels. Originally established in 1850 as a private zoo, the park retains the 17th-century Tour Egmont, a medieval-style tower that is its most distinct architectural feature. The grounds contain the Museum of Natural Sciences, renowned for its extensive gallery of Iguanodon dinosaur skeletons. A central pond serves as the focal point for the park's landscaping, attracting local waterfowl and migratory birds. The area is surrounded by various institutional buildings of the European Parliament. It serves as a popular pedestrian thoroughfare for both local residents and international officials. Mature trees provide significant canopy cover across the rolling landscape.
The lakeside view looking toward the Tour Egmont with the pond in the foreground.
Combine your visit with the Museum of Natural Sciences located directly inside the park.
Check for temporary outdoor art exhibitions often hosted on the park lawns.
Bring a picnic during lunch hours to observe the blend of local residents and EU parliament workers.
Do not mistake the nearby European Parliament visitor center for the park's main entrance.
Stay on marked paths to protect the lawn and respect wildlife in the pond area.
