The Social Programme of BOSS XVII will include the following events: 

• Welcome reception on Sunday, July 3

A Welcome reception will take place on Sunday after the Opening Lecture

• Cocktail on Monday, July 4

A sponsored "Cheese & Beer" cocktail will follow the Tetrahedron Lecture

• Excursions on Wednesday, July 6

Optional excursions will be organised between 14:00 and 17:00. Please register during the online registration process. Only one excursion per person can be booked, it is not possible to combine different tours. The exact start and ending point of the excursions will be communicated in the week preceding the Symposium.

• Cocktail on Thursday, July 7

A sponsored cocktail will follow the Janssen Prize for Creativity in Organic Synthesis Ceremony and Lecture.

• Symposium Banquet on Thursday, July 7 - Château Bayard

For the closing of the Symposium, the organisers invite you to attend the banquet, scheduled for Thursday, July 7 at 20:00 in the beautiful “Château Bayard”.

Situated near Namur, the castle provides a majestic setting perfectly maintained since the 14th century. Legend says the four Aymon sons built the castle after fleeing Charlemagne's wrath. They escaped on the back of the trusty Bayard horse, which then gave his name to the Château.

Participation in the banquet is optional, and subject to prior booking at the price of 60€. Please register during the online registration process or via the link "My registration" if you are already registered.
Busses will be organised to and from the banquet, at no additional costs.

 

   

• EXCURSION 1: CULINARY WALKING TOUR

This walking tour will walk you through the heart of Namur together with a professional guide, and will be punctuated by tasty stops: chocolates, strawberries, beers & more! 

Price per participant: €30
Duration: 3 hours
Meeting point at 14:00 at the conference venue

 

• EXCURSION 2: GARDENS OF ANNEVOIE

For 250 years, in Annevoie, nature animates, without machinery, unique water games in stylish gardens.

This guided tour will lead you from Namur to the nearby Gardens of Annevoie. During the bus-trip, a professionnal guide will explain the history of the gardens and the family who created it - the "Montpellier" family. Once in the gardens, guides will stroll you around with further explanations: The French style, Italian style, English style & water games won't have secret for you anymore. (Video)

Return by bus is foreseen around 17h30.

Price per participant: €50, including entrance, guides & bus transfers 
Duration: 3h
Meeting point at 14:00 at the conference venue

This excursion requires a minimum participation of 35.
Alternative proposals or free cancellation will be offered in case the required number is not met. 

 

• EXCURSION 3: THE BOAT LIFT OF STRÉPY-THIEU

The boat lift of Strépy-Thieu is the crown jewel of the Belgian famous expertise in fluvial engineering! The size of this structure is awe-inspiring: This colossus measures a soaring 102m in height, and at the top it’s the size of a football pitch! It is the second most largest boat lift in the world, with an effective denivelation of 73.15 meters! 

The guided tour will lead you from Namur to the boat lift. During the bus trip, the professional guide will explain the history of fluvial engineering in Belgium: the old hydrolic boatlifts, the inclined plane of Ronquière and finish with the ultimate work of art: the actual boat lift built in 1982. 

Once at the foot of the colossus, you’ll walk through the entrance at the base…then climb up through the core, all the way up to the panoramic viewing point at the top where you can experience the “Land of Genius” interactive tour.  Your sense of awe will quickly turn to admiration as you gaze out over the landscape or towards the beating heart of the structure, with its cables, gears and splendid machinery.  “Technology, built for man: clean, beautiful and efficient”.

Return by bus is foreseen around 18h.

Price per participant: €50, including entrance, guides & bus transfers
Duration: 3h
Meeting point at 14:00 at the conference venue

This excursions require a minimum participation of 35.
Alternative proposals or free cancellation will be offered in case the required number is not met.