Pairi Daiza, gardens and discoveries of the living world
In Brugelette, Pairi Daiza combines animals, gardens and architecture within a former abbey estate. A place to explore, with Hainaut's history still visible among the trees, pools and remains of Cambron Abbey.
Before the park, seven centuries at Cambron
The estate had history long before exotic animals arrived. Cambron Cistercian Abbey was founded in 1148. Its buildings and layouts left a lasting mark. Tower, cellar and monumental staircase still reveal that first chapter. The old setting is therefore not scenery manufactured for a walk, but an authentic part of the place's identity.
The stone staircase built in 1776 should not be missed. Three flights and balustrades express grandeur surprising beside the usual image of Cistercian simplicity. Restoration announced in 2026 recalls that preserving an estate also means maintaining historical structures used daily by many visitors.
From Paradisio to a garden of worlds
Éric Domb opened Paradisio in 1994, initially devoted to birds. The great aviary bears witness to that original ambition. Over time, the project expanded to mammals, aquariums, gardens and extensive landscapes. Pairi Daiza was adopted as its name in 2010, referring to the Persian idea of an enclosed garden from which paradise derives.
Chinese, Indonesian and Japanese worlds invite more than a succession of animal sightings. Materials, plants, rooflines and garden design are all part of the experience. They take you on a visual journey within a Hainaut estate whose layers of history remain visible.
Observing life and understanding conservation
The park presents many species and participates in conservation programmes. Its foundation supports work in the field, research, habitat restoration and animal care. These activities add another dimension to a visit to the gardens; they go beyond simply displaying a species in an enclosure. Programme information explains what is done and why.
We find the visit benefits from slowing down. Look at behaviour, movement or a plant's structure before moving to the next world. Wonder becomes more interesting when it turns into attention. The gardens also change with the seasons: blossom, foliage and light give the route a fresh character.
Building a day around your interests
Pairi Daiza is large enough to choose priorities. With children, plan breaks and focus on a few highlights rather than trying to tick everything off. Garden enthusiasts can favour planting compositions; heritage enthusiasts can find Cambron among newer worlds. These approaches are not exclusive: they simply provide a thread through the day.
Opening arrangements, encounters, activities and access to certain areas may change. Check the programme, map and ticket information on the official website before setting off, especially for experiences requiring extra booking. Our reason for choosing Pairi Daiza is this diversity: a leisure outing that can become, with time to look, a discovery of landscapes, cultures and living things.
Photos and credits
Photo 1 — Temple and garden in Pairi Daiza's Chinese world. DimiTalen · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons source.
Photo 2 — Panda portrait photographed at Pairi Daiza. Marian78ro · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons source.
Photo 3 — Château de Cambron housing Pairi Daiza's aquarium. JackyM59 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons source.
