The old monastery and hospital of Notre Dame à la Rose is a truly impressive museum to visit today. It has so many different features, it is hard to quote them all! Built in the 13th century there is of course the impressive façade with its many wooden shutters, then the monastery garden built around a small cloister garden with the typical arcades around it. You will also visit a more traditional museum part with paintings and objects depicting the history of the place as well as its inhabitants. Another big part is consecrated to the main purpose of the place, which was a hospital up until the last nun left the place in the 1980's. This includes the kitchens, the pharmacy and apothecary, the sick rooms - where the beds are intelligently placed close to the chapel, so that the ill could attend mass from their beds. Outside there is a beautiful garden with hundreds of plants and herbs for medicinal purposes, with precise and detailed descriptions of their usage. The visit is accompanied by an audio guide, which gives very interesting and detailed information on every aspect of the life inside these walls. Of course there is a lot of history on medicine, but still there is so much more than that - just the pleasant atmosphere which permeated within these small communities is so nice to experience today. There is a small shop selling books as well wines from famous monasteries in Belgium and France; and you can also buy samples of the herbs and plants from the garden. The outer courtyard now houses a beautiful terrace with a small restaurant offering drinks and small dishes - not to mention their absolutely amazing ice-cream! There is so much to see you can easily plan for a half day and include a meal - and there is plenty for kids to do as well.

Unexpected highlight of our stay in that area. Beautiful museum and history. Botanical garden, impressive collection of medicinal plants, probably better in spring.