Safe Walhain

Walhain: Geographic Centre of Belgium

With 7,556 inhabitants (2025) over 38.08 km², Walhain is a French-speaking commune of Walloon Brabant. It comprises three main sections: Walhain-Saint-Paul, Nil-Saint-Vincent-Saint-Martin and Tourinnes-Saint-Lambert.

Geography and landscape

The territory features a sandy-loamy plateau characteristic of the Hesbaye region, with elevation ranging from about 100 to 130 metres.

The geographic centre of Belgium

Walhain hosts “the geographic centre of Belgium”, marked by a metal structure designed by architect Bernard Defrenne. The coordinates were “calculated on the Hayford ellipsoid”, and the point is located in the hamlet of Nil-Saint-Vincent, at a place called “Le Tiège”. It is a unique tourist and symbolic point of interest.

Military history

The territory lies between two ancient Roman roads. During WWII, the area witnessed significant military operations, including the concentration of German tanks preceding the 1940 Battle of Gembloux. A nearby French military cemetery commemorates these events.

Sections and profile

Walhain-Saint-Paul : Municipal core, mixing family homes and traditional housing.

Nil-Saint-Vincent-Saint-Martin : Section hosting the geographic centre of Belgium, attractive for its tourist symbol.

Tourinnes-Saint-Lambert, Perbais : Rural and village sections.

Lock types in Walhain

The agricultural and rural character dominates: older farms with heavy locks on original doors, terraced houses in village centres with mortise locks, and recent residential subdivisions with multipoint locks and certified cylinders. The geographic centre monument and protected buildings call for respectful interventions.

Daily interventions in Walhain

The central position in Belgium and proximity to Gembloux, Wavre and Louvain-la-Neuve ease access. Our team works in French and Dutch.