In the early 1920s, the Trois Tilleuls site was chosen for a housing development designed around a new communal way of living. Le Logis began in 1921, followed by Floréal in 1922. Urban planner Louis van der Swaelmen worked with architect Jean-Jules Eggericx, who had brought back from Britain the idea of the “garden city”, a model already well established there since the 19th century. The cottage-style houses, built in brick or cinder block, were fitted with brightly coloured shutters and window frames and surrounded by neat little gardens. The aim was to offer healthy, affordable housing and shared facilities in a green and harmonious setting. Communal lawns planted with trees, a maze of narrow paths, hedges of varied species, rows of Japanese cherry trees and carefully designed perspectives give this district its character, with streets named after flowers and birds. (Listed since 15/02/2001)

The guided tour is led by a guide-lecturer who has lived in the neighbourhood for 30 years. Beyond history, architecture and urban planning, the visit explores everyday and community life in the garden cities, from the past to the present.

The tour is part of the Visitor Center of the garden cities, created in 2022 by the residents’ group “Les Compagnons du Quartier Floréal”, in partnership with the social housing company Le Logis-Floréal and with the support of visit.brussels and the municipality of Watermael-Boitsfort. Designed for both residents and visitors, it offers guided tours, publications, exhibitions on the garden cities, as well as concerts, talks and other cultural activities.