Locked Out
in Landen

Landen: Cradle of the Carolingians

With 16,375 inhabitants (2025), Landen is a Flemish town in Flemish Brabant, at the extreme east of the province, on the border with the Liège Hesbaye. Density of 307.22 inh./km². The municipality has 14 merged sections: Landen, Attenhoven, Eliksem, Ezemaal, Laar, Neerlanden, Neerwinden, Overwinden, Rumsdorp, Walsbets, Houtain-l’Évêque, Wange, Wamont and Wezeren.

History and heritage

Along with Liège, Landen is the country of origin of the Carolingians: Pepin of Landen (died 640), founder of the dynasty, is its emblematic figure. His burial tumulus remains a major historic site. Saint Gertrude of Nivelles and Saint Begga of Andenne were born here.

The village of Neerwinden witnessed two major historic battles, about a century apart.

Sections and profile

Landen centre : Commercial and administrative core, mixing terraced houses and modern subdivisions.

Rural sections : 13 villages with agricultural and residential character, housing mixing farms, individual homes and recent subdivisions.

Language and population

Officially Dutch-speaking, the commune has a notable French-speaking presence estimated between 15 and 20%, a legacy of its border position with Wallonia. Our team works in Dutch and French.

Lock types in Landen

The centre retains terraced houses with older mortise locks. Farms across the 13 villages feature heavy locks on original doors. Residential subdivisions and recent construction use multipoint locks and certified cylinders. The Pepin tumulus and surrounding archaeological sites have heritage value.

Daily interventions in Landen

The size (around 53 km², 14 sections) and housing diversity require solid local knowledge. The railway station serves the town for commuters towards Brussels and Liège.