General terms and conditions ‘Group visits’
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Meise Botanic Garden is a stunning location, a research center, and a living museum with an exceptionally rich plant collection, situated in a unique historical and protected landscape. We look forward to welcoming your group and sharing all this beauty with you.
These general terms and conditions, including the appendices, apply to reservations for group visits to the Botanic Garden. For a smooth visit, we recommend reading these conditions carefully. They form part of your agreement with the Botanic Garden.
We count on your active involvement in complying with the visitor regulations, which are an integral part of these general terms and conditions. They contain agreements that contribute to the preservation of our collections and the historical landscape. Are you leading a group? Please ensure that all participants are aware of these agreements and their importance.
On our part, you can count on personal and high-quality support to make your visit an inspiring and successful experience.
1. GROUP RESERVATIONS
A group visit is defined as any visit with a guide (whether or not combined with lunch or a ride on the electric train), and any visit without a guide for 15 or more paying adults (whether or not combined with lunch or a train ride). School visits are always considered group visits. A group visit must always be reserved via the online application form for group or school visits, at least 4 weeks prior to the date of the visit.
The execution of the agreement takes place according to the agreed details included in the quotation. The quotation is prepared based on the information provided in the application form. The reservation is only final upon receipt of the signed order confirmation.
Group visit rates
Groups of 15 or more paying adults enjoy a preferential rate for group visits. Individual discounts do not apply to group reservations.
Number of visitors per guide/educator
For all guided walks, a maximum of 20 people per guide applies. For schools, a maximum of 25 students per workshop applies, unless otherwise indicated on the website.
Please note: Our guide capacity is limited and is reserved based on your request. In the event of a significant decrease in participants, costs may be charged (see ‘Providing final number’). If the number of participants is higher than specified, we may only be able to offer the excess number a visit without a guide.
Lunch in restaurant Pachthof
Groups of 15 or more adults can choose from the group menu. For groups of fewer than 15 adults, a table will be reserved; they eat à la carte and settle the bill in the restaurant. If you have reserved a lunch, please ensure you are at the restaurant at the agreed time.
Please note: The restaurant's capacity is limited. Therefore, please provide a realistic estimate of the number of participants in your application to avoid unnecessary blocking of seats. In the event of a significant decrease in participants, costs may be charged (see ‘Providing final number’).
Providing final number of visitors and menu choice
Provide the final number of visitors and the menu choice once, at the latest 7 days before the visit, via groepen@plantentuinmeise.be.
Please note! To guarantee the correct deployment of guides and restaurant occupancy, this final number may be a maximum of 20% lower than the number in the initial booking. In the case of larger deviations (decrease > 20%), the change must be reported at least 14 days before the visit. If a significant decrease is only reported later, 50% of the value of the cancelled places exceeding this margin will still be charged.
Extra visitors are welcome provided the guide quotas allow it, and they shall pay the corresponding rate at the ticket desk. Additional reservations for the restaurant are not possible; extra guests choose from the menu on-site and pay directly. See § 7 for further details on changes.
2. VISIT
Parking
Vehicles are not allowed within the estate. There is a large parking lot near the entrance of the Botanic Garden. The parking lot is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Exit from the parking lot is possible until 6:30 PM.
- Coach/Bus:
For groups arriving by bus, parking is included. The bus enters the paid parking lot; the barrier opens automatically. The driver drops off passengers at the Kiss and Ride zone under the canopy, allowing the group to reach the entrance quickly and safely. The bus then continues (approx. 100m) to the designated bus parking. The driver collects their exit ticket at the ticket desk. - Car:
Parking is free for short-term parking (Kiss & Ride) of max. 45 min. The barrier will open automatically upon leaving via license plate recognition.
The standard price for parking is € 7. Exit tickets can be purchased at the vending machine in the parking lot and at the entrance of the Botanic Garden. Upon presentation of your parking ticket, you receive a € 3.50 discount in the Garden Shop (with a minimum purchase of € 5). - Bicycle: Bicycle parking is free. You can charge your bicycle battery in the lockers under the canopy.
Arrival
Upon arrival, the group waits at the reception square. To avoid noise disturbance at the ticket desk, we ask that you stay away from the immediate vicinity of the desk.
The group leader reports to the ticket desk 15 minutes before the start of the tour. The bus driver reports to the ticket desk after parking.
- The leader receives the entry ticket for the group. If the choice was made to pay at the ticket desk, payment is settled then. If invoicing was chosen, the invoice will be sent to the specified billing address.
- The driver receives an exit ticket to leave the parking lot after the group visit, an entry ticket for the Botanic Garden, and a voucher for a free drink (and a meal if the group is also having a meal) in restaurant Pachthof.
Delay
If the group will arrive later than the agreed time, the person in charge must inform the Botanic Garden as soon as possible by telephone at +32 2 260 09 93, stating the reservation number (found on all email correspondence regarding your group visit).
If the group is late, the guide will wait for a maximum of half an hour. The duration of the visit or activity will not be extended by the lost time.
If the guide is late, the group will wait for half an hour. With the group's consent and subject to the guide's availability, the visit may be extended by the lost time. If this is not possible, an alternative will be provided.
If a group wishes to finish earlier than planned (e.g., the group must return to school or depends on public transport), the group will not receive a refund or compensation.
Visitor Regulations
Help us protect our plant collection and keep the domain in top condition so that everyone can enjoy it. This can be done by respecting the visitor regulations; see www.plantentuinmeise.be.
3. LIABILITY
Meise Botanic Garden is not liable for theft, loss, and/or damage sustained by the visitor during a visit to the Botanic Garden. The Botanic Garden disclaims all responsibility for any accidents.
The visitor is liable for loss and/or damage caused to Meise Botanic Garden and/or any third party as a direct or indirect result of their activity. In case of loss or damage to equipment, infrastructure, or collections of the Botanic Garden due to irresponsible behavior, a report will be drawn up and compensation will be charged. The cost estimation is made by the experts of the Botanic Garden.
During a visit of a group of minor participants from schools or organizations, the teacher or another adult carries the responsibility for this group. Supervisors must remain with their group at all times.
4. GDPR
Meise Botanic Garden will comply with all applicable data protection legislation—national, European, and international—for all personal data received. Customer data such as (company) name, address, telephone number, email address, VAT number or national registry number (for private individuals), and relevant correspondence are kept in the booking system used by Meise Botanic Garden. This data remains stored in the booking system for 5 years to facilitate repeat bookings.
After this period, Meise Botanic Garden will take the necessary steps to anonymize this customer data. Personal data will not be shared or sold to other third parties, third countries, or international organizations unless otherwise stated.
If you wish to file a complaint regarding a violation of your personal data, you can contact the Data Protection Officer of Meise Botanic Garden via dpo@plantentuinmeise.be.
5. VISUAL MATERIAL
Meise Botanic Garden assumes that visual material from group visits can be used for promotion on our website, social media channels, in brochures, booklets, annual reports, and other print material. We respect portrait rights and do not publish images of recognizable persons without prior consent. If the group objects to the use of visual material for promotional purposes, this must be explicitly stated in the order confirmation.
6. PAYMENT TERMS
At the ticket desk, payment can be made by Bancontact, cash, or credit card. If desired, you will receive a receipt.
Invoices must be paid within 30 days of receipt to account number IBAN: BE81 3751 1174 8224 - BIC: BBRUBEBB of Agentschap Plantentuin Meise, Domein van Bouchout, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, mentioning the structured communication.
In case of non-payment by the due date, late payment interest will be charged on the invoice amount equal to the legal interest rate for late payment, as indicated on the website of the FPS Finance.
7. CHANGES AND CANCELLATION
Changes
Changes to the agreement must be communicated at the latest 7 days before the day of the visit via groepen@plantentuinmeise.be. Telephone changes are not accepted. For substantial changes in the number of participants (a decrease of more than 20% compared to the booking), a notice period of 14 days applies (see § 1). Adjustments are always subject to availability (location, guides, catering, etc.).
Cancellation
Cancellation is free of charge up to 14 days before the visit. For cancellations from 14 days before the day of the visit, 50% of the agreement value will be charged. For cancellations 3 days or less before the day of the visit or in case of a no-show, 100% of the agreement value will be charged. Meise Botanic Garden owes the group nothing in case of cancellation by the group.
In exceptional circumstances, e.g., in case of stormy weather, Meise Botanic Garden may be forced to cancel visits for safety reasons. In that case, Meise Botanic Garden will work with the group leader to find an adequate solution. In case of cancellation due to force majeure, Meise Botanic Garden owes the contractor no compensation whatsoever.
8. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
Meise Botanic Garden reserves the right to refuse a visit or an organization for ethical reasons or if the nature of the visit does not align with the mission and vision of the Botanic Garden.
9. FEEDBACK & DISPUTES
A complaint can be submitted up to 20 days after your visit to the Botanic Garden via www.plantentuinmeise.be. Meise Botanic Garden handles every complaint within 10 days of receipt. If this is not possible, you will be notified and an alternative timeline will be proposed.
In the event of disputes regarding this agreement, the courts of Brussels shall have jurisdiction.
This is a translation for your convenience. In case of disputes, the Dutch version prevails.