The Canal from Louvain to the Dyle

The Canal from Louvain to the Dyle tells us a peculiar history! It has a history of more than 250 years. We are invited to discover its industrial past and to visit its beautiful cities, Louvain and Mechlin.

Since the end of the Middle Ages, the duchy of Brabant has known an important commercial activity and the historical centres of Louvain and Mechlin give an idea of the rich city life at that time. Louvain was an ants' nest, where many handicrafts were practised. Many products, goods and food had to be brought to and from those cities. At first, carriage to and from Louvain happened mostly on the Dyle. But, despite the fact that the waterway had been adapted, the capacity that was offered became very quickly too small for Louvain. The river Dyle was and still is a capricious river, on which navigation is difficult. The idea to build a canal to make Louvain accessible developed slowly.

The first plans were drawn more than 300 years ago, but the works only started in 1750. The first boat reached Louvain in 1753. The Canal from Louvain to the Dyle therefore is one of the oldest canals in the country. Despite a few problems in the beginning, the canal quickly became totally navigable and Louvain could take all benefits from that waterway. The surroundings of the Vaartkom developed and became a flourishing district, hosting many trade houses and shops.

In time, the canal has become less and less profitable. Its shallowness did not allow sufficiently large boats to navigate and the competition from the railway and the road transportation became too strong. A change occurred though in 1986. The canal has now been maintained again and the infrastructure has been brought to the correct level. The canal could have fine prospects if the industries established along its banks would changeover to river navigation and by doing so would take part in solving the problem of increasing road traffic congestion.

The rich industrial heritage along the canal testifies to intensive economic activities, to the technical inventiveness and the search for architectural renovation of the preceding generations. Striking are the numerous industrial buildings but also the locks, bridges and other artworks for using the waterway. No doubt the canal from Louvain to the Dyle is mostly known as the "beer canal". It's just plain logic that breweries and malt-houses settle along a waterway, because they need many raw materials that can be delivered by boat at a low cost. The same for the old flour-mills, warehouses, tobacco factories, corn and oil mills, the gas-works and the old tinned foods factory, Marie Thumas, which you can be discover during the river cruise on the canal.

The canal from Louvain to the Dyle starts at the 'Vaartkom' in Louvain and goes to Mechlin. It ends at the Zennegat, a little further than Mechlin. It is 30 km long and there are 5 locks situated in Tildonk, Kampenhout, Boortmeerbeek, Battel and near the Zennegat. For a while its bedding is parallel to the Dyle, later on it is moving away from it and then joins the river again next to the Zennegat. This is the place where the Dyle, the Senne, and the canal from Louvain to the Dyle meet. About 1 km further, the Dyle and the Nèthe meet to form the Rupel, forming a link to the Sea-Scheldt.

A day spent on or along the canal is very relaxing. A cycle-path has been laid out next to the canal and it is possible to combine river cruises, biking and walks in the city. It's easy to reach the canal banks by bus and train, as the berths for the cruise boats are situated close to the railway stations of Louvain and Mechlin, as well as the bus stops of "De Lijn" (including Kampenhout) and the proposed places of interest or attractions.

For each river cruise between Mechlin and Louvain, you can decide which activities you want to take part in. You don't want to take the planned bus to go from Louvain to Mechlin (or the other way) and you prefer to bike or take the train? No problem! You'd rather prefer a free stay in the city rather than the guided visit? It is possible! You want to take the boat in the afternoon and then go Arr. home by train or bus? That solution has also been planned. And don't forget that your bicycle can be taken aboard. Various possibilities are offered. Just make your choice!


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