Last Updated on 25 January 2026 by Vanessa
Zaventem is a modest, suburban town just outside of Brussels. It’s mostly known for one thing – its airport – and it also happens to be the backdrop for my cat book Avalon and the movie based on my vampire story A Good Man/Un homme bien.
If you stroll through its streets, you’ll find a surprising amount of spoiled cats sleeping on doorsteps or prowling through gardens. These are not strays. On the contrary. Most are pampered house pets with more personality than an Instagram influencer.
This photo series is a tribute to those felines who rule the neighborhoods of Zaventem.
Each cat comes with a location tag. So, if you ever feel like going on a feline scavenger hunt through Zaventem, you’ll know where to start.
Paws of Zaventem: a cozy catwalk through my Belgian hometown
Stationsstraat
This is the beating heart of Zaventem, together with Vilvoordelaan. It’s lined with cafés, restaurants, and tiny shops, as well as the train station that connects Zaventem to Brussels and Leuven. It’s where locals gather for a coffee break, do their shopping, or breeze by on their way to the train station.
Parklaan
Running from the town square toward Mariadal Castle and its 16-acre park, Parklaan is part of the main transit route (N262). Here, you’ll pass elegant mid‑20th‑century townhouses and the former royal academy—then arrive at wood paths that open to sunny lawns and shady groves where cats stretch in the grass.
J.B. De Vlemincklaan
This quiet residential lane offers serene views of Park Mariadal and the “De Motte” swimming pool complex, with benches and backyards perfect for afternoon cat naps. A peaceful street where pampered pets enjoy their suburban kingdom.
Spreeuwenlaan
A cozy, leafy street lined with mature trees and cozy gardens. It’s the kind of neighborhood where cats disappear behind hedges, reappear on garden walls, and meet you at the end of a stroll with a curious glance.
Weerstandslaan
Sitting on the fringe of town, this suburban street feels like a gentle buffer zone between Zaventem and Brussels.
Heidestraat and surrounding areas
This area winds past a local school and stretches into greener areas just beyond the residential blocks.
Final thoughts
So, will you be heading to Zaventem to meet these fabulous felines in person? Whether you’re planning a casual stroll or a full-on cat-spotting adventure, I hope this series gives you a fresh reason to explore the quieter corners of this Belgian town.
If you do happen to meet one of these photogenic locals, don’t forget to snap a picture! I’d love to see your encounters. Share them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and tag me so I can follow along. And of course, feel free to leave a comment below and let me know which cat stole your heart.
Zaventem’s most notorious cat
If you loved this photo series, also check out the book about Zaventem’s most notorious cat: Avalon.
This Turkish Van cat once called Zaventem home and went on to become an actual cat star. His memoir, Avalon: A Heartwarming True Cat Story, tells of how Avalon strutted onto film sets, briefly headlined a horror short that won a Sundance audience award, and fiercely guarded his owner from unwelcome suitors.
Part laugh-out-loud chaos, part touching soul‑mate story, it’s a must‑read for anyone who’s ever fallen deeply in love with a cat.
Available in English and French.
