In Flanders, in Mechelen: where the contemporary avant-garde meets Flemish heritage

Often overshadowed by Flanders’ better-known destinations, Mechelen boasts a historical heritage that blends gracefully with modernity. Autumn 2026 offers yet another reason to visit: the eleventh edition of the Contour Biennale, the city-wide event dedicated to video art and audiovisual installations, running until 1 November. Curated by Sofia Lemos under the title “The Eyes of the Heart and the Soul of the World”, the biennial is spread across five venues in the city, some of which are open to the public on an exceptional basis. Among the featured projects, De Noker Monastery hosts Laure Prouvost’s installation ‘Mère We Sea’, whilst the repurposed former brewery houses Özgür Kar’s animated video ‘Heavy Ground’. Strolling through the city centre, you’ll come across the Hof van Busleyden, the Renaissance residence of the humanist Hieronymus van Busleyden, who also hosted Erasmus of Rotterdam. The city’s Baroque churches house masterpieces by Pieter Paul Rubens, such as ‘The Adoration of the Magi’ in St John’s Church. For a relaxing break, the Great Beguinage (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) welcomes visitors amongst cobbled alleys and brick houses, where you’ll also find the historic Het Anker brewery, founded in 1471 and famous for its Gouden Carolus beer. Just outside the city, the Ursuline Winter Garden is well worth a visit; it is an Art Nouveau-style conservatory featuring a stained-glass dome, part of an early 20th-century architectural complex. For those who enjoy walking, the Treinstapper trail starts in Mechelen and leads to Hever and Eppegem, a route of almost 23 kilometres along the rivers Dijle and Senne.