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Both. Belgium is multi-lingual (NL,FR,DE), so most cities and bigger towns have 2 or 3 names. In fact, today, most streets in Brussels have 2 names. So do a
by hyperman1 2y ago
Both. Belgium is multi-lingual (NL,FR,DE), so most cities and bigger towns have 2 or 3 names. In fact, today, most streets in Brussels have 2 names. So do a lot of big local companies
Most local inhabitants would have called it Leuven, as it is a Flemish city. The rich people at that time, both inside and outside the city, heavily promoted French, and pushed only the French names in politics and international communication.
Even today, this is a very touchy subject.
- roelschroeven 2y agoJust some clarification on what Belgium's multi-linguality means exactly: Flanders is Dutch-speaking. Wallonia is primarily French-speaking, except for a small part of it which is German-speaking ( The Brussels Capital Region is officially bi-lingual Dutch/French, but in practice it's almost completely French. In restaurants, shops, ... you can be sure to find people who can help you in French, but almost never in Dutch. Police, hospitals, ... are supposed to be bi-lingual, but good luck getting good help if you speak Dutch but not French. In most places, you'll only encounter one language: your own native language. Only Brussels is supposed to be bi-lingual. Many cities do have two or three names, but that's not because those two or three languages are actually spoken in that city.