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Camping Congé: Discover the only campsite in Brussels this summer!

During the next two weeks you can go camping at the urban farm La Ferme Urbaine in Neder-over-Heembeek (City of Brussels). ‘Camping Congé’ has space for 12 tents and organises all sorts of workshops and cookery evenings.

Colin Clapson Published: 2 hours ago

The initiative comes from Olivia Van Rompaey and Axelle Scheidtweiler, two friends based in the Belgian and Flemish capital. Non-profit organisation Le Début des Haricots gave them permission to take over part of their urban farm, La Ferme Urbaine, for two weeks.

“It all happened quite last-minute, so it’s back-to-basics. We’ve only got a homemade shower, some lights and a fridge powered by solar panels,” says Van Rompaey. “But there’s space for 12 tents. We’re really targeting Brussels families who need a holiday.”

The campsite also provides one teepee, which families without their own tent can hire.

The City's only campsite

This makes Camping Congé the only campsite in Brussels this year. Until two years ago, that role was fulfilled by Camping 58 in Laken, but that project was always intended to be temporary.

In Neder-over-Heembeek, too, the camping season is short-lived: Camping Congé only opened on Saturday and will close again on 9 August.

“We’re still busy handing out leaflets,” says Van Rompaey. The campsite is not yet fully booked: you can reserve a pitch by telephone or by email at [email protected].

An overnight stay costs a maximum of 15 euros per person. “We operate on a ‘pay-what-you-can’ system,” says Van Rompaey. The cheapest option starts from just 2 euros per person per night.

Workshops and communal cooking

Even people who don’t want to go camping can pop along to the campsite this summer. During the day, Van Rompaey and Scheidtweiler are organising all sorts of activities, including relaxation sessions, a cyanotype course and a wool workshop.

“And in the evenings, we open a small bar and cook together with anyone who fancies that,” concludes Van Rompaey.

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