Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Discover

Places to see

Belgium

Wallonia

Wallonie

Walloon Brabant

Nivelles

Ottignies-Louvain-La-Neuve

Student Fountain "Léon and Valérie"

Discover

Places to see

Belgium

Wallonia

Wallonie

Walloon Brabant

Nivelles

Ottignies-Louvain-La-Neuve

Student Fountain "Léon and Valérie"

Recommended by 22 hikers out of 24

Save

Location: Ottignies-Louvain-La-Neuve, Nivelles, Walloon Brabant, Wallonie, Wallonia, Belgium

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to Student Fountain "Léon and Valérie"

4.6

(31)

206

hikers

1. The Hand with the Diploma – Lake Louvain-la-Neuve loop from Louvain-la-Neuve

10.3km

02:48

150m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

4.8

(26)

105

hikers

2. Pond and Wetland Area – Parc de la Source loop from Louvain-la-Neuve

13.5km

03:41

200m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

4.6

(18)

hikers

3. The Hand with the Diploma – Pond and Wetland Area loop from Louvain-la-Neuve

8.64km

02:20

120m

110m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

Tips

Katrien

July 9, 2023

Located on the Place de l'Université, the fountain depicts two students, Léon and Valérie, crouching around an open book, but their reading is made difficult by the boiling water. Nine small jets erupt into a circular basin of concrete slabs, which also receives water from the central base. The statue was christened "Léon et Valérie" by the students, referring to a folkloric student song.

The fountain was created thanks to the will of Michel Woitrin, former rector of the university. It was presented by American patron Donald Hilson Ryan in 1984. The sculptures are by Gigy Warny. The base of the fountain is the work of Raymond Lemaire and is made of tinted concrete from Bierges.

In May 2011, the statue of Léon was stolen, but for a short time, after the prank was interrupted by the security service.

Translated by Google •

Willem VS

November 13, 2023

Squatting around an open book, dressed as Adam and Eve, two perfectly sculpted lovebirds seem absorbed in a shared moment. Rest assured, this is not the scenario of a very bad porn film but of this emblematic neo-louvanist fountain: Léon and Valérie.

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 160 m

Weather

Today

Tuesday 7 October

17°C

12°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Ottignies-Louvain-La-Neuve, Nivelles, Walloon Brabant, Wallonie, Wallonia, Belgium

Student Fountain "Léon and Valérie"

1. The Hand with the Diploma – Lake Louvain-la-Neuve loop from Louvain-la-Neuve

2. Pond and Wetland Area – Parc de la Source loop from Louvain-la-Neuve

3. The Hand with the Diploma – Pond and Wetland Area loop from Louvain-la-Neuve

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️