In Brussels, cycling has become much more than a means of transport: it is now a way of discovering the city, a common thread capable of connecting neighbourhoods, craftspeople and urban landscapes. It is in this spirit that the Les Cycles du Terroir project was born, supported by the European programme TASTE. Led by Pro Velo, an organisation specialising in sustainable mobility, and the committed restaurant Entre Nous, the initiative offers a new way of exploring the capital: an immersive food experience where sustainable gastronomy is discovered at the pace of the pedals.
Behind this simple idea lies a broader ambition: to show that short supply chains, local producers and committed restaurants can become drivers of tourism in Brussels, provided that the right connections are created between these worlds which, despite sharing common values, still come together too rarely.
Connecting the city, its craftspeople and its visitors
Brussels is home to many committed producers and small businesses, but their links with tourism are often limited by issues of seasonality, availability or logistics. Les Cycles du Terroir aims to overcome these constraints by creating a cycling route that highlights four emblematic places of sustainable gastronomy, selected for their ability to tell the story of the local area: Hierba Buena, Smala Farming, Entre nous and Bomma Flora.
By moving away from the city centre, the project invites visitors to discover less frequented neighbourhoods while making use of existing cycling infrastructure and the fleet of bicycles already available from Pro Velo. The collaboration with the Brussels restaurant Entre Nous further strengthens this approach: its creative, seasonal cuisine, such as this winter parmigiana reinvented with Belgian celeriac, perfectly embodies the spirit of the project. Together, the two partners are creating an experience in which cycling becomes a way to meet local producers, understand their practices and taste products from short supply chains, while decentralising tourism and reducing its environmental impact, in line with the objectives of the TASTE programme.
An immersive and flexible experience
The route can be enjoyed in a small group or independently, thanks to GPX tracks and tastings spread across four stops. The organisation is built on solid foundations: bicycles are provided, the routes have been tested and the itinerary can be adapted. This flexibility ensures smooth implementation and an experience that is accessible to everyone.
Beyond the ride itself, the initiative provides greater visibility for the small businesses visited and opens up additional economic opportunities, while raising visitors’ awareness of the diversity of sustainable culinary practices found in Brussels.
A model ready to travel
Thanks to its simple structure and Pro Velo’s expertise, Les Cycles du Terroir has strong potential for replication. Pro Velo can adapt the concept across its other locations in Wallonia and Flanders, and even within its European network via EuroVelo. Its extensive network of Belgian and European partners will facilitate the dissemination of the experience among organisations interested in creating sustainable tourism products.
A sustainable vision of tourism on the move
By offering a new way to connect sustainable mobility, local gastronomy and the discovery of the local area, the project demonstrates that it is possible to develop a resilient tourism offer, rooted in the city and looking towards the future. In Brussels and beyond, it shows that combining cycling and food can become a powerful driver for more responsible tourism.
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