bruxelles_escapades_2011_UK_BD_planche by lingerieperl.com

Escapades in

Brussels

2011

Must-see sights Flavours Art Nouveau Strip cartoons Green Weekends Shopping Families Night Life

2011

Brussels

Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Must-see sights .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Flavours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Art Nouveau .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Strip cartoons .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Green .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Weekends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Shopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Families .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Night Life .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Guided tours .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Practical Brussels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Tourist Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Brussels in 2011 If you’re looking for a city break full of surprises and unusual feelings, then Brussels is ideal for you! The capital of Europe and of Belgium is surreal and thrilling, multicultural and multifaceted, and is sure to satisfy your every desire! With its majestic historic centre, its unique ambiance and a fantastic range of activities for all ages and all budgets…find out more about our “pleasures guaranteed” city breaks!

Captions for pictograms Free of charge Access for reduced-mobility visitors Access for accompanied reduced-mobility visitors Special favourite Brussels Card (see page 48 for more information) Must-See Sights of Brussels (see page 48 for more information)

Introduction

Accademia Carrara BOZAR 11 February 2011 to 8 May 2011 A unique opportunity to (re)discover the greatest masterpieces of Italian painting, from the Renaissance to the eighteenth century. This exhibition offers a captivating vision of the mutual enrichment process between the Flemish masters and the masters of the Venetian schools. www.bozar.be

La Bande Dessinée à Bruxelles Events in Brussels

Danse macabre © F. Boucquillon Fund - picture Hugo Maertens

Museum Night Fever In around 20 museums in Brussels

Exhibition: Between Paradise & Hell – "Death in the Middle Ages"

Musées Royaux d’Art et d’Histoire 2 December 2010 to 24 April 2011 Today, the prospect of death is frightening. It was equally feared in the Middle Ages but in a different way. Life was seen as an imperfect journey that should lead to eternal life and happiness, at least for those who lived in obedience to the precepts of Christianity. This fixation on death and, at the same time, the relativisation of death, gave rise to a profusion of works of art, many of which are of great value and can be experienced in this exhibition. www.kmkg-mrah.be

BiodiverCity Muséum des Sciences Naturelles From 9 December 2010 No, the city is not just cobblestones, walls and concrete! The flora and fauna that inhabit the city often pass unnoticed. Come and find out about them. Cross the road, have a look at the gardens and the waste land. You are crossing the tracks of hedgehogs and foxes, observe life underground, plant trees and flowers... Everywhere there are specimens, photos, films and interactive presentations that explain what urban biodiversity is, and the issues facing us today: habitat quality, balance between species, influence of human management of parks and gardens, the benefits that biodiversity brings, etc. www.sciencesnaturelles.be

on 26 February 2011, from 7pm to 1am, followed by “after-party” Around twenty of Brussels’ museums are getting dressed up in their party clothes! On this evening, they will give themselves over to the talents of young event organisers who have dreamed up plenty of off-the-beaten-track events. Hold tight, because a festive tornado will sweep through the museum’s displays and collections! Night-owls can join in an after-party at BOZAR until 3am. www.museumnightfever.be

If you would like to have the latest information on events in Brussels, pick up a copy of the “City Guide BRU-XXL”, available free from your hotel or one of the Tourist Information Centres. The guide also contains tips on the best shops, night-clubs and restaurants.

Events

Design September and Designers’ Weekend

The Witch’s Spell Near the Atomium From April to October 2011 An adventure game for all ages that blends fun, problem-solving and team spirit in a fantasy mediaeval universe. The trail takes between 2 and 3 hours to follow, through the countryside full of emotions and surprises. Suitable for all members of the family or groups of friends, etc... www.sortilege.be

September 2011 “Design” is very trendy in Brussels at the moment. These events include visits to galleries, trendy home-interiors stores, designer flea markets and a competition, a sort of amusing, “made-to-measure” treasure hunt through the Brussels urban jungle. www.designseptember.be

Royal Greenhouses End April 2011 Sublime winter gardens of iron and glass, the greenhouses at the Royal château of Laeken contain a veritable cornucopia of rare scents and tropical trees, brought here from the four corners of the earth. An absolute must-see. www.monarchie.be

Jazz Marathon

Royal Palace

27 - 29 May 2011 Jazz hits the streets of Brussels in force, with over 100 free concerts featuring Big Bands, famous soloists and small but cool groups playing their beautiful music in the city’s squares, bars and taverns.

End July to mid-September 2011 The majestic gates of the Royal Palace are opened wide to admit visitors up the monumental staircases that lead to the suite of evocatively-named state rooms: the Empire room, the Throne room, the Grand gallery, etc. The historic original features have been enhanced by many contemporary pieces of installation art commissioned by Queen Paola, including Jan Fabre’s ceiling covered with 1.5 million wing-cases from Thai scarab beetles.

www.brusselsjazzmarathon.be

Jeff Wall – The Crooked Path

Ommegang Grand’Place or the Place du Grand Sablon.

BOZAR

Events

5 and 7 July 2011 Also Mediaeval Village on 6 July 2011. One of the most grandiose traditional processions in Belgium, which re-creates the lavish welcome laid on for the arrival of Habsburg Emperor Charles V and his court in Brussels in the sixteenth century. www.ommegang.be © Jean-Loup Vandewiele

26 May 2011 – 11 September 2011 This exhibition explores the cultural context of Wall’s photographic universe. The photographer has chosen 25 of his own photographs and has displayed them opposite works by Modernist and contemporary artists including Duchamp, Manet, Matisse, Picasso, Graham, Wallace, Fassbinder and others. www.bozar.be

www.monarchie.be

Brussels Summer Festival 12 - 21 August 2011 150 concerts, theatre performances, street theatre events and children’s shows form this festival’s astonishing programme. Most events only charge a nominal amount. Whether your preference is for rock, world music, jazz, hiphop, folk, reggae or electronica, come and join us in the open air in the city’s most beautiful squares and also in many bars and brasseries. www.infofestival.be

September 2011 – dates to confirm Brussels wanted a fitting celebration of strip cartoons, so this festival was first held in 2010, and includes a son-et-lumière show, a fireworks display, the crazy “Balloon Day Parade” and the Strip-Cartoon Park on the Mont des Arts. All the strip-cartoon celebrations you could wish for in one mad weekend!

www.fetedelabd.be

Art Nouveau Biennial Event Weekends of October 2011 Fans of Art Nouveau and Art Deco will be making a bee-line for Brussels during the weekends in October 2011! They will be coming for the Art Nouveau Biennial Event, during which many interiors that are not usually open to the public can be visited, along with other buildings that are open all year round. A tempting occasion not to be missed! For more information, please visit www.voiretdirebruxelles.be

Europalia International Brazil Europe’s biggest cultural festival! 4 October 2011 to 15 January 2012 Dozens of cultural venues and museums in Belgium and its neighbouring countries will present various little-known aspects of Brazilian art and culture. www.europalia.eu

Strip-Cartoon Festival

Jan Fabre Exhibition

Winter Pleasures

Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique

25 November 2011 – 1 January 2012 To celebrate winter in Brussels, follow this fairyland 1.5km trail around the historic city centre, with its specially-illuminated traditional Christmas market and many, many more pleasures to enjoy, including an ice-skating rink, a big wheel, entertainment and concerts.

14 October 2011 to 22 January 2012 The Belgian Royal Museums of Fine Art are currently preparing an exhibition of the work of Jan Fabre (born in Antwerp in 1958), the world-famous Belgian artist, author and stage designer. The results of the museums’ collaboration with one of the world’s most avant-garde and protean artists of his generation will be unveiled in October! www.fine-arts-museum.be

www.plaisirsdhiver.be

For the full programme of events in Brussels, consult the diary sections of www.brusselsinternational.be

Events

TheBande La must-see Dessinée sights à of Bruxelles Brussels Brussels vert!

Atomium

Be sure not to miss the panoramic views of the city from: The “Kameleon Sky” bar-restaurant on the top floor of the VIAGE (Bvd Anspach), Place Poelaert (in front of the Palais de Justice), The roof of the Cinquantenaire Arch (access via the Musée de l’Armée), The dome of the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur (Koekelberg).

ATOMIUM Square de l’Atomium 1020 Brussels +32 (0)2 475 47 75 +32 (0)2 475 47 76 (switchboard) info@atomium.be www.atomium.be

OPEN: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Evening opening on Wednesday to 8pm. Closed on Mondays and on 1 January, 1 May, 1 & 11 November and 25 December. Please note: Special closure from 3 to 31 January 2011. PRICES: Adults €8. Concessions from €2 to €5. Free entry for children under 18.

partial

OPEN: every day, 10am to 6pm (last tickets sold at 5.30pm). PRICES: Adults €11. Concessions from €4 to €8. Free for children under 6. Combined tickets with Mini-Europe available. AUDIO-GUIDES: available in FR, EN, DE, ES, IT, NL, ARABICA, BG, CZ, DK, EE, FI, GR, HU, IE, LT, LV, MT, PL, PT, RO, SE, SL, SK, TR, CN, IL and RUS: €2 + “Digiguide” for hearingimpaired visitors.

Royal Belgian Museums of Fine Art

Of course Brussels is synonymous with the Grand’Place, warm waffles, chocolates with all sorts of fillings, the MannekenPis, tasty beers and precious lace! But the city also has many other wonderful must-see sights, which contribute to its charm and its history. From the paintings of the Flemish Primitives, to the world’s most beautiful collection of musical instruments, from the remains of Emperor Charles V’s palace to the Art Deco or Art Nouveau designs of Victor Horta, the list is long! Fortunately, many of the kingdom’s greatest art treasures are concentrated around the Mont des Arts, close to the city’s royal district. So this time, make sure you don’t miss the unmissable!

Magritte Museum

The internationally-famous Belgian painter René Magritte deserved a museum that matched the quality of his work, situated in the centre of Brussels, his adopted city. In June 2009 this dream became a reality. Housed in the elegant Hôtel Altenloh, the Magritte museum has the world’s largest collection of the great Surrealist painter’s work, around 200 exceptional works of art. Tip: reserve your timed-entry tickets online in advance: then you can avoid the queues and the “sold out” signs at the entrance.

The surprise star of the 1958 Universal Exhibition, this extraordinary building was visited by over 40 million people during the six months following its opening! It overlooks the cityscape from a height of more than 100m, still manages to symbolise Modernist optimism and is one of the most important buildings of the 1950s. Its recent restoration back its original glory and the installation of new facilities will ensure it is fit to last for years to come. Five of its nine spheres are open to the public. One houses a permanent exhibition about the 1958 Exhibition, another is home to temporary exhibitions about science, progress and the future.

MUSEE MAGRITTE Ticket office: Rue de la Régence, 3 1000 Brussels Entrance for ticket-holders only: Place Royale, 1 1000 Brussels + 32 (0)2 508 32 11 www.musee-magritte-museum.be

The Belgian Royal Museums of Fine Art form the largest museum complex in the country. Comprising the Museum of Ancient Art, the Museum of Modern Art and the Magritte Museum, all situated on the Mont des Arts in the city centre, the group also includes the Wirtz Museum and the Meunier Museum, situated elsewhere. Their collections contain a wide range of paintings, sculpture and the fine arts from the end of the fourteenth century to today. Visitors can enjoy famous masterpieces by Bruegel the Elder, Rubens, Memling, Bosch and Van Dyck, not forgetting paintings by Delvaux, Wouters, Ensor, Khnopff and Permeke. MUSEES ROYAUX DES BEAUX-ARTS Rue de la Régence 3 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 508 32 11 info@fine-arts-museum.be www.fine-arts-museum.be

OPEN: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Closed on Mondays, 1 January, the second Thursday in January, 1 May, 1 & 11 November and 25 December. Please note: Special closure of the Museum of Modern Art from February to November 2011. PRICES: Adults €8. Concessions from €2 to €5. Free entry on the first Wednesday of every month from 1pm. Temporary exhibitions from €2.50 to €9 per person.

Must-see sights

The Koekelberg basilica church is the fifthlargest Roman Catholic church in the world. A newly-renovated lift now enables visitors to climb 52.8m to enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramic views of Brussels from an open-air platform just below the dome.

Centre for Fine Arts (BOZAR) Attracting more than a million visitors a year, the Centre for Fine Arts is one of the principal features of the Mont des Arts. Located between the Place Royale and Brussels-Central railway station, and designed and built by Victor Horta, it provides an elegant link between the upper and lower districts of the city. But don’t take our word for it, see for yourself: 250 concerts a year that are the envy of the world’s top music venues, plus major international exhibitions. cinema, theatre, dance, literature, architecture and art education all contribute to the buzz at BOZAR. The recent opening of the BOZAR Shop and a lounge-style restaurant at street level mean that, more than ever, BOZAR is a total experience, open to the Mont des Arts, the city and the world! BOZAR Rue Ravenstein, 23 & Rue Royale, 10 1000 Brussels + 32 (0)2 507 82 00 info@bozar.be www.bozar.be

OPEN: every day from 10am to 11pm, depending on programme. Closed on 1 January and 25 December. PRICES: separate prices for each event. Guided tours available by appointment in English, French, Dutch and German (other languages may be available for a supplement).

10 Must-see sights

NEW: BOZAR BRASSERIE Under the leadership of David Martin, chef at the Restaurant de la Paix. Open every day from 11.30am to 11pm (drinks and snacks only from 2.30pm to 6.30pm). Dish of the day every lunchtime at €13 and daily set menu at €22.

City of Brussels Museum King’s House

OPEN : From 31 March to 31 October, from 9am to 5.15pm (last admission). From 1 November to 30 March, from 10am to 4.15pm (last admission). PRICES : Full price: €4. Concessions: €3.

The van Buuren Museum and Garden

Spread over three floors, this museum pays tribute to the city’s history and to the high-calibre artistic activity that took place here. There is also a gallery dedicated to the history and wardrobe of the MannekenPis. A treasure-hunt booklet is available for families – an amusing way of finding out about the things that made the city famous.

This little Art Deco gem has a unique ambiance. The former home of a Dutch banker, it was completed in 1928 and was designed to showcase his art collection and its landscaped garden, tended by his wife. David and Alice van Buuren amassed a collection of paintings by famous artists such as Van de Woestyne, Wouters, Signac and Permeke. The refined good taste of the building’s rooms, artworks and lighting make this one of the most impressive visits in Brussels!

MUSEE DE LA VILLE DE Bruxelles MAISON DU ROI Grand’Place, opposite Town Hall 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 279 43 50

MUSEE ET JARDINS VAN BUUREN Avenue Léo Errera, 41 1180 Brussels (Uccle) +32 (0)2 343 48 51 info@museumvanbuuren.com www.museumvanbuuren.com

OPEN: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Closed on Mondays and on 1 January, 1 May, 1 & 11 November and 25 December. PRICES: from €1.50 to €3.

Symbol of the European Union, the European Parliament building proudly overlooks the European district. A visit to the interior reveals Brussels’ miniature city-within-a-city. Start walking from Park Léopold and you will discover unexpectedly beautiful buildings, squares and parks named after the pioneers of European citizenship, including Paul-Henri Spaak, Altiero Spinelli, Jacques Delors, Jean Rey and Robert Schumann. It’s worth taking time to look at the buildings that house the European institutions, including the Parliament, the Commission, the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee, all of which are working every day to build a better Europe in a capital city that really just a big European village!

OPEN: every day except Tuesday, 2pm to 5.30pm. PRICES: Museum + Garden: Adults €10. Concessions from €5 to €8. Free for children under 12. PRICES Garden only: Adults €5. Concessions from €2.50 to €4.

Koekelberg Basilica Church Parvis de la Basilique, 1 1020 Brussels (Koekelberg) +32 (0)2 421 16 69 www.basilicakoekelberg.be

E uropean district

The European Parliament Have you ever wondered about the European Parliament, its role, how it works, its powers and what the MEP you elected does? It is the largest parliament in the world, whose members represent 503 million citizens in 27 Member States and who work in 23 official languages, and it’s in our capital city! Your visit will take you behind the scenes of one of the most important of the European Union’s institutions.

T he extraordinary history of Belgium Have you ever wondered how much you really know about the history of Belgium? You can visit the underground remains of the sumptuous imperial palace built in Brussels by Emperor Charles V under the Place Royale, and you can enjoy new displays telling the story of the Belgian monarchy since 1830, thus killing two birds with one stone!

BELvue Museum At the BELvue museum, we don’t write history, rather it’s Belgian history that wrote our museum. In its nine exhibition halls and through its temporary exhibitions, this country continues to surprise residents and visitors alike. A unique collection of documents bears witness to historic events, while unforgettable photos and film clips bring the past back to life, as childhood memories for adults and new discoveries for children.

OPEN: Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm. Saturday & Sunday, 10am to 6pm. Closed on Mondays, and 1 January and 25 December. PRICES: Adults €5. Concessions from €3 to €4. Free entry for children under 18. Combined BELvue + Coudenberg ticket: €8.

Coudenberg – Former Imperial Palace of Brussels COUDENBERG Place des Palais, 7 (access via BELvue museum) 1000 Brussels +32 (0)70 22 04 92 info@coudenberg.com www.coudenberg.com

Don’t miss the museum’s restaurant, which shares an outdoor terrace with the King’s private office, but without being able to see in its windows.

Europe in Brussels, Let’s walk… Follow the blue stars on the ground: a simple and enjoyable way of discovering the European institutions and must-see cultural sights of the capital of the European Union. Free brochure available from the BITC Tourist Information Centre at the Grand’Place, and from the BIP, Place Royale.

LE PARLEMENT EUROPEEN Visitors’ entrance: rue Wiertz, 43 1047 Brussels (Etterbeek) +32 (0)2 284 09 66 www.europarl.eu.int.

OPEN: Individual visits from Monday to Thursday, at 10am and 3pm, Friday at 10am only. Audio-guides available in 23 languages. Children under 14 not admitted. PRICES: Free.

MUSEE BELvue Place des Palais, 7 1000 Brussels +32 (0)70 22 04 92 info@belvue.be www.belvue.be

National Basilica Church of the Sacred Heart at Koekelberg

Must-see sights 11

Beers Cantillon Living Museum of Gueuze

TheBande La flavours Dessinée of à Bruxelles Brussels

The Cantillon Brewery remains the only working brewery open to the public in Brussels. Beer is brewed here exactly as it was in the nineteenth century, using genuine period tools, machinery and production methods. Visitors can wander past huge copper brewing vessels and tanks, hundred-year-old barrels and stacks of bottles up to the ceiling during their visit. Brasserie Cantillon Rue Gheude, 56 1070 Brussels (Anderlecht) +32 (0)2 521 49 28 info@cantillon.be www.cantillon.be

When staying in Brussels, try at least one of our unmissable specialities! Choose from Shrimp croquettes, “American steak” (steak tartare), Rabbit with prunes, “Ballekes” (Marolles meatballs), Mussels & chips, “Tartine plattekaas” (cream-cheese open sandwich) with a glass of Kriek (cherryflavoured beer), “Stoemp” (mashed potatoes with other vegetables added), with a “Speculoos” (spicy biscuit) or a Waffle for dessert.

OPEN: Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Saturday from 10am to 5pm. PRICES: €6 per person, including a beertasting at the end of the visit. LANGUAGES: Documentation in French, Dutch, English, German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese. Guided tours by prior reservation only.

Schaerbeek Beer Museum Located in one of the prettiest streets of Brussels, this small museum located is housed in a former school craft workshop. Visitors can see displays showing all the steps of the brewing process. There is also a display of more than 1,500 Belgian beer bottles, most of which are accompanied by their specific glass, as well as beer-making machinery, enamelled plaques, beer mats, etc.

Cocoa & Chocolate Museum

OPEN: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 2pm to 6pm. Guided visits for groups available on request. PRICES: €3 per person, including a glass of “Schaerbeekoise” beer LANGUAGES: Guided tours in French, Dutch and English (on request).

Visitors can learn all about the world of cocoa and chocolate here! How cocoa trees are grown, the various stages of chocolate-making process, its origins, its arrival in Europe. Then, as they say “to combine the useful with the enjoyable” visitors can watch a demonstration by a master chocolatier, who will show you the techniques used to make artisanal Belgian pralines.

Chocolates

Musée du Cacao et du Chocolat Rue de la Tête d’Or, 9-11 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 514 20 48 info@mucc.be www.mucc.be

Planète Chocolat Located a short walk from the Grand’Place and the Manneken-Pis, “Planète Chocolat” welcomes visitors to its artisan chocolatemaking studio. It is a veritable temple to chocolate. At its heart is a demonstration space that can hold up to 200 participants. The chocolate-making studio and the museum recount the extraordinary and fabulous history of cocoa. During the demonstration, participants learn about the various steps in the production of pralines, in a humorous manner, leading up to the long-awaited tasting of home-made chocolates and hot chocolate, all in 45 minutes.

OPEN: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4.30pm. Closed on Mondays. Open every day in July and August. Closed 4 to 15 January 2011 inclusive. PRICES: Adults €5.50. Concessions €4.50. Free entry for children under 12 accompanied by an adult. LANGUAGES: French, Dutch, English, German, Italian, Spanish.

House of the Belgian Master Chocolatiers

Planète Chocolat Rue du Lombard, 24 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 511 07 55 planetechocolat@skynet.be www.planetechocolat.be

OPEN: Monday to Saturday, 10.30am to 6.30pm. Sunday, 11am to 6.30pm. Demonstrations for individuals every Saturday and Sunday at 4pm. PRICES: Demonstration €7 per person. LANGUAGES: French, Dutch, English, German, Spanish, Russian, Polish. Demonstrations can be arranged for groups of between 25 to 165 people by appointment!

Gourmet stops

Musée Schaerbeekois de la Bière Avenue Louis Bertrand, 33 1030 Brussels (Schaerbeek) +32 (0)2 241 56 27 or +32 (0)2 216 67 43 muschaerbiere@yahoo.fr http://users.skynet.be/museedelabiere

Would you like to taste, discover (or re-discover) chocolates made by true Belgian artisan chocolatiers in a magical historic setting? “The Master Belgian Chocolatiers’ House” is a shopwindow for ten artisans with a passion for excellence who follow the best traditions of chocolate-making. They come from all three regions of the country and have all agreed to share their personal experiences in this unique project to share their love and passion for their art with visitors. Whether it be to taste or purchase their creations, or to sip a cup of creamy hot chocolate, or to take part in a discovery demonstration or to simply indulge your senses, don’t hesitate to open the door and enter the marvellous world of Belgian chocolate.

Flavours 13

Delacre Biscuit Shop A short walk from the Grand’Place and the Place du Grand Sablon is the Delacre biscuit shop, whose warm, home-made atmosphere attracts many lovers of fine biscuits. As you enter this former townhouse on the Place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés, your taste buds will be awoken by the delicious smell of biscuits being baked before your very eyes. You can make up your own assortment as you wish. And why not let yourself be tempted by some of the gourmet creations made exclusively in the shop?

Laurent Gerbaud Chocolatier OPEN: Every day from 10am to 10pm. Chocolate discovery workshops for individuals every Saturday and Sunday in English. PRICES: Visit is free-of-charge. Prices for events available on request.

Zaabär Chocolate Factory

Laurent Gerbaud Rue Ravenstein, 2D 1000 Brussels + 32 (0)2 511 16 02 www.chocolatsgerbaud.be

OPEN : From Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 6.30pm. Closed on Mondays.

SHOP OPENING HOURS: From Monday to Sunday from 10.30am to 7.30pm.

Galler Chocolate Shop

Zaabär Chaussée de Charleroi, 125 1060 Brussels (Saint-Gilles) +32 (0)2 533 95 80 info@zaabar.be www.zaabar.be

14 Flavours

The Galler shop is located in a corner of the magnificent Grand’Place, next to the “Roy d’Espagne”. Its multi-lingual staff have only one objective: to share with visitors the joy that results from tasting top-quality, perfectlybalanced, artisan-made chocolate, made from a selection of the finest ingredients. BOUTIQUE GALLER GRAND’PLACE Rue au Beurre, 44 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 502 02 66 www.galler.com

Enter the magical world of traditional Brussels nineteenth- and twentieth-century marionnettes, including characters such as Woltje, Smouske and Jef Pataat. Petite rue des Bouchers, 21 Impasse Schuddeveld, 6 +32 (0)2 511 71 37 www.toone.be

In the shadow of the former Stock Exchange Cirio

Boutique Delacre Place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés, 27 1000 Brussels + 32 (0)2 514 91 95 www.delacre.be

ome typical S “estaminets” (taverns) © Galler 2009

Located near the Avenue Louise, the Zaabär chocolate factory covers 600m² and is open to the public. As soon as you enter the unusual “factory shop” the smell of melted chocolate tempts you to set off on a journey through a world of chocolaty and spicy flavours. You can watch impressive chocolate-making machines in action, to get an inside view of this passionfilled profession. Zaabär is happy to arrange events for groups of children or adults, for example a “chocolate class”, a birthday party or a tourist visit. An unusual gourmet experience!

Shop and Studio Just opposite the Palais des Beaux-Arts, come and discover the creations of the chocolatier Laurent Gerbaud. For the last 9 years, he has been blending chocolate, fruits and spices into new flavour combinations without adding butter, sugar, alcohol, preservatives or flavourings. He selects the ingredients used for each of his creations from the best of their kind in the world, and all of his creations are handmade to preserve all their charms.

Estaminet du Musée du Théâtre Royal de Toone

The many different sorts of cafés in Brussels include traditional Brussels cafés, Art Nouveau cafés, cafés frequented by the Surrealists, cafés where shows are performed, trendy cafés and cafés named after birds, and they all have their own characteristics. All over the city, both young and old alike gather in these traditional places where life is sweet.

Around the Grand’Place La Mort Subite A venerable Brussels institution, an unmissable stop opposite the Royal Galleries. Rue de la Montagne-aux-Herbes Potagères, 7 +32 (0)2 513 13 18 www.alamortsubite.com

All the charm of the Brussels Belle-Époque. Rue de la Bourse, 18 +32 (0)2 512 13 95

La Bécasse Traditional lambic, gueuze and kriek beers served from jugs in an austere woodpannelled setting. Rue de Tabora, 11 +32 (0)2 511 00 06 www.alabecasse.com

Le Falstaff

Delirium Cafe

Le Mess

If you’re a fan of record-breakers then this bar will suit you for it has the biggest selection of beers in Brussels, usually as many as the year, so 2,011 in 2011. Don’t be tempted to over-indulge! Impasse de la Fidélité, 4A Access via la Rue des Bouchers +32 (0)2 514 44 34 www.deliriumcafe.be

A mixture of high and low tables in a place whose menu offers beautiful contemporarystyle dishes from around the world as well as Belgian and French classics. The best tables are probably those in the conservatory, under the grapes hanging from its vine, with views of the nearby former barracks, now converted for business use. Le Mess is a symbol of its time and the newly-found “polysapide” facet of Brussels! Boulevard Louis Schmidt, 1 1040 Brussels (Etterbeek) +32 (0)2 734 03 36 www.lemess.be

ther “mustO see” places Cospaia Located in a recently-refurbished building, this beautiful restaurant offers food that is both inventive and respectful of traditions, perfectly in tune with contemporary themes! The wide bar will delight the thirsty, and customers who want to sit around doing nothing will love the terrace! The menu contains a mix of classic dishes from Belgium and around the world. Rue Capitaine Crespel, 1 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) +32 (0)2 513 03 03 www.cospaia.be

An Art Nouveau temple which delights the eyes as well as the taste-buds. Rue H. Maus, 17-21 +32 (0)2 511 87 89 www.lefalstaff.be

A l’Imaige Nostre-Dame Hidden away at the end of a blind alley, intimate and irresistible, real-life flashback! Impasse des Cadeaux, 3 Access from Rue Marché-aux-Herbes, 8 +32 (0)2 219 42 49 © OPT - Alex Kouprianoff

Au Bon Vieux Temps

Rouge Tomate

It’s a lovely feeling to sit here and sample one of our local spontaneously-fermented beers, to warm up in this wood-pannelled café where everything tells of the Brussels of yesteryear. Impasse Saint-Nicolas, 4 Access via Rue Marché-aux-Herbes, 12 +32 (0)2 217 26 26

In this restaurant, installed in a traditional middle-class townhouse on Avenue Louise, everything is light, from the pared-down decor to the light and healthy dishes on the menu! No sooner has the warmer weather arrived than the superb garden echoes to the clatter of cutlery and laughter in the shade of the hundred-year-old trees. Be good...be light! Avenue Louise, 190 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) +32 (0)2 646 63 10 www.rougetomate.com

Other gastronomic treats

Chez Léon They have been serving the Belgian national dish of mussels and chips at Chez Léon since 1893, a stone’s throw from the Grand’Place. If you don’t feel like the national dish, there are plenty of other traditional delights on the menu. Why not wash your meal down with a glass or two of the restaurant’s own house beer on draught, a generous, blond, Pils-style brew? Rue des Bouchers,18 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 511 14 15 www.chezleon.be

The Gourmet Guide

Gourmet-2010-covers_HD.indd 1

OPEN: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm. PRICES: Visits are free-of-charge. Prices for events are available on request. LANGUAGES : English, French, Dutch, German, Spanish, Italian, Danish, Norwegian, Japanese, Greek, Hebrew and Russian.

Bruxelles - Brussel - Brussels - Brüssel - Bruselas

La Maison des Maîtres Chocolatiers Belges Grand Place, 4 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 888 66 20 info@mmcb.be www.mmcb.be

gourmet guide

45 th

edition

11/06/10 10:24:30

Provides details of almost 200 restaurants, catalogued by district, opening hours or specialties. Clear, self-explanatory and including a multilingual glossary of the unmissable Belgian specialities. Available free of charge from the BI-TC Tourist Information Centre.

Flavours 15

Horta Museum

MUSEE HORTA Rue Américaine, 25 1060 Brussels (Saint-Gilles) +32 (0)2 543 04 90 info@hortamuseum.be www.hortamuseum.be

If you’re an Art Nouveau fan and want to find out about the history of the Capital of Art Nouveau before you visit Brussels, go to www.bruxellesartnouveau.be. And don’t forget to pick up a copy of the Brussels Art Nouveau walks map so that you’ll know all the best places in which to feast your eyes!

OPEN: every day from 2pm to 5.30pm, except Mondays and Bank Holidays. Groups can visit in the mornings by prior appointment, with visits (1 hour) starting between 9am and 12am. No more than three groups of 15 people allowed in the museum at the same time. Booking at least a week in advance is recommended. Guided tours in English, French, Dutch, German, Italian or Swedish are available if booked in advance. PRICES: Adults €7. Concessions €3.50.

Musical Instruments Museum (mim)

The former Old England department store was designed by the architect Saintenoy and represented a technical tour de force when it was completed in 1899. The building’s cast-iron and steel frame left plenty of place for huge glass windows, allowing daylight to illuminate the displays of fine clothes. The mim which now occupies the building has one of the largest collections of musical instruments in the world. Visitors wear infrared headphones which allow them to hear almost 200 musical excerpts, ranging from Ancient Greece to electrically-amplified twentieth-century sounds. The mim restaurant’s metal-andglass roof terrace allows you to enjoy panoramic views of Brussels while enjoying music and cakes.

MUSEE DES INSTRUMENTS DE MUSIQUE (mim) Montagne de la Cour, 2 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 545 01 30 info@mim.fgov.be www.mim.fgov.be

OPEN: Tuesday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm. Saturday & Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Closed Mondays and 1 January, 1 May, 1 & 11 November and 25 December. PRICES: Adults €5. Concessions €4. Free for children under 6. Guided tours available on request by phone to +32 (0)2 545 01 33.

MAISON AUTRIQUE Chaussée de Haecht, 266 1030 Brussels (Schaerbeek) +32 (0)2 215 66 00 info@autrique.be www.autrique.be OPEN: Wednesday to Sunday, 12am to 6pm (last admission 5.30pm). Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and public holidays. PRICES: Adults €6. Concessions €3 to €4.50. Free for children under 6. Groups (maximum 15 people) must book a guided tour in English, French or Dutch (other languages available on request) at least two weeks in advance by phoning +32 (0)2 215 66 00. Price for groups is €60 per group, plus €4.50 per person.

Autrique House This building heralded the Art Nouveau style of Victor Horta, and holds many surprises in store. François Schuiten and Benoît Peeters, well-known figures from the world of strip cartoons, designed the installations inside, which have made the building a sort of “house of houses”, which pays tribute to Brussels domestic architecture and at the same time acts as a gateway to the imaginary universe. Meticulously restored, with displays from the attic to the cellar, the Autrique House highlights the historical and aesthetic interest of the city’s houses and reveals their seductive and mysterious facets.

Autrique House © François Schuiten

Art Bande La Nouveau Dessinée à Bruxelles in Brussels

This completely Art Nouveau building combined the family home and workshops of the most famous of Belgian architects, Victor Horta, and was designed in response to his desire to closely associate his professional and private lives. It has retained most of its original interior decoration, including mosaics, stained-glass windows, furniture and wall paintings, which together create a harmonious setting of extraordinarily detailed good taste. An absolute must-see!

Art Nouveau 17

Cauchie House

Events in 2011 2011 is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Victor Horta. Brussels will celebrate its most famous architect in a series of exhibitions and events. For more information, please visit www.brusselsinternational.be

Paul Cauchie’s house, built in 1905, is considered to be one of the most remarkable Art Nouveau buildings in Brussels. Cauchie’s sgraffiti studio was also in the building and he applied many sgraffiti panels to the internal and external walls, which demonstrate his mastery of the technique, and the beauty of his designs.

Fans of Art Nouveau and Art Deco will be making a bee-line for Brussels during the weekends in October 2011! They will be coming for the Art Nouveau Biennial Event, during which many interiors that are not usually open to the public can be visited, along with other buildings that are open all year round. A tempting occasion not to be missed! For more information, please visit www.voiretdirebruxelles.be

MAISON CAUCHIE Rue des Francs, 5 1040 Brussels (Etterbeek) +32 (0)2 733 86 84 + 32 (0)495 71 83 23 info@cauchie.be www.cauchie.be OPEN: First weekend of each month. Visitors are welcomed by guides who show them around the house and displays: 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm. Also open on Tuesdays from 6pm to 9pm from May to August. PRICES: Adults €5 (includes guided tour). Free for children under 12. Guided tours for groups (minimum 15 people) available every day by prior appointment only: €75 per group plus €45 for guide on weekdays or €50 at weekends.

While we await the opening of the six new exhibition halls dedicated to Belgian Art Nouveau and Art Deco at the Cinquantenaire Museum in June 2012, some of the museum’s collection of Art Nouveau and Art Deco objects can be seen in the display cabinets designed by Victor Horta for the famous Wolfers silversmiths’ store. Among the selected exhibits are chryselephantine sculptures, glassware, ceramics and table silverware which give a glimpse of the main stylistic trends that were taken up by Horta’s disciples between 1890 and 1940.

Contretype Photographic Art Gallery This building allows you to experience an Art Nouveau atmosphere, with its uncluttered spaces, skillfully-blended colours and comfortable lifestyle. This superb town house was designed and built by Jules Brunfaut in 1903- 1904, and today houses the “Contretype” photographic art gallery. The building’s original features include several types of marble, mosaics, stainedglass windows and carved woodwork of an exceptional quality… a magical place!

18 Art Nouveau

HÔTEL HANNON Avenue de la Jonction, 1 1060 Brussels (Saint-Gilles) +32 (0)2 538 42 20 contretype@skynet.be www.contretype.org OPEN: Wednesday to Friday, 11am to 6pm. Saturday & Sunday, 1pm to 6pm. Closed on public holidays. PRICES: Adults €2.50. Groups by prior appointment only – please phone +32 (0)2 538 42 20. For guided tours in English, French, Dutch or German, please phone ARAU on +32 (0)2 219 33 45.

A “4 in 1” Map of Walks to see and understand Art Nouveau This pocket-sized map contains: • 5 walking tours (City Centre and surroundings, the district around the Avenue Louise and the Ixelles ponds, the Squares and Cinquantenaire district, Saint-Gilles and Forest and the Avenue Louis Bertrand and its surroundings); • information on the decorative techniques used by Art Nouveau artisans and designers; • biographical details of some famous Art Nouveau architects; • a list of the unmissable public Art Nouveau places in Brussels.

MUSEES ROYAUX D’ART ET D’HISTOIRE Parc du Cinquantenaire, 10 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 741 72 11 info@kmkg-mrah.be www.kmkg-mrah.be

Information to help you better understand Art Nouveau and the city that gave birth to it.

Hannon House

Cinquantenaire Museum : the Art Nouveau Collection

OPEN: Tuesday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm. Saturdays & Sundays, 10am to 5pm. Guided tours available on request by phoning +32 (0)2 741 72 15. Closed 1 January, 1 May, 1 & 11 November and 25 December. PRICES: Adults €5. Concessions from €1.50 to €4. Free for children under 12 accompanied by an adult.

A vailable in English, French, Dutch or German at €3, from the main Art Nouveau buildings and the Tourist Information Centre in the Town Hall, Grand’Place and from the BIP. www.bruxellesartnouveau.be

Art Nouveau 19

Belgian Comic Strip Centre

StripBande La cartoons Dessinée à Bruxelles in Brussels What city other than Brussels could bring together on its walls, gables and statues so many famous characters from strip cartoons? The world capital of strip cartoons invites you to take a walk along its Strip-Cartoon Trail which winds through several of its districts. Choosing strip cartoons as the theme for your visit to Brussels will enable you to discover neighbourhoods, atmospheres, shops and various places of interest. You will see Brussels in a different light. Have a look at www.brusselsinternational.be and “My Guide and Map” from the BI-TC Tourist Information Centre at the Grand’Place or from the BIP, Place Royale.

The Marc Sleen museum, just opposite the CBBD, dedicated to the creator of the famous “Néron” and many other characters! www.marc-sleen.be “La Maison de la BD”, which introduces visitors of all ages to the world of the “Spirou” strip-cartoon magazine with original drawings and storyboards in a pleasant permanent exhibition space, which includes a children’s corner and a really excellent shop selling books and gifts. www.jije.org Le bar dessiné, come and visit the world of Belgian strip cartoons while enjoying a delicious cocktail at Radisson BLU Royal Hotel, Rue Fossé-aux-Loups, 47.

OPEN: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm. Closed on Mondays and on 1 January and 25 December. PRICES: Adults €8. Concessions from €3 to €6. GROUPS: 90-minute guided tours in English, French, Dutch or German available on request two weeks in advance: €50. 2.5-hour guided tours along the Strip-Cartoon Trail available on request: €75.

The MooF MooF is the Museum Of Original Figurines. Come and meet your favourite strip-cartoon heroes in a magnificent setting displaying more than 650 figurines and other unusual objects, chosen from more than 3,500 items in one of the world’s largest strip-cartoon collections!

MOOF Boulevard Auguste Reyers, 32 1030 Brussels (Schaerbeek) +32 (0)2 726 50 21 info@moof-museum.be www.moof-museum.be OPEN : Tuesday to Saturday from 10.30am to 5.30pm. Sunday from 10.30am to 3.30pm. PRICES : Full-price: €6.50. Concessions: from €2 to €5.

Belgian Comic Strip Centre - Expo L'Atelier de Franquin © Daniel Fouss

CENTRE BELGE DE LA BANDE DESSINEE Rue des Sables, 20 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 219 19 80 visit@cbbd.be www.cbbd.be

NOTE: NEW ADDRESS FROM 15 APRIL 2011 Galerie Horta Rue Marché aux Herbes, 116 1000 Brussels OPEN : every day from 10.30am to 5.30pm.

For more information on Strip Cartoons in Brussels: exhibitions, events, specialised bookshops, etc. and for the complete programme of the Strip Cartoon Festival in September, please visit www.fetedelabd.be

This building brings together two great Brussels specialities: Art Nouveau architecture and strip cartoons. Designed and built by the architect Victor Horta in 1906 as a wholesale draper’s shop, the building re-opened as the Belgian Centre for Strip-Cartoon Art in 1989. In its 4,000m², visitors can follow the development of strip cartoons from their Belgian origins to the present, through displays and a documentation centre. It’s a sort of museum of the imaginary world, a treasury of original drawings and has the largest stripcartoon library in the world. These are just some of the many attractions of this “temple” which also hosts temporary exhibitions and prestigious events.

Don’t miss :

Strip cartoons 21

Bicycle Bicycles hold all the trump cards: they are fun to ride, they don’t pollute the environment, they take up much less space than a car, cycling is an excellent form of exercise and they offer an unusual viewpoint from which to discover Brussels. From narrow streets to parks, and from parks to monuments, then from monuments to squares, enjoy doing full turns and half-turns with the morning dew on your face!

La Bande Dessinée à Bruxelles Brussels Green Brussels! vert!

Bicycle hire Pro Velo

To enjoy your “green” journeys around Brussels, make sure you pick up one of these indispensable tools: either a copy of the “Green Walks” map (available free of charge from the Tourist Information Centres) or a copy of the “Cyclists’ Map of Brussels” available for just €1 from the Maison des Cyclistes, and full of suggested cycle routes.

Information and reservation : +32 (0)2 502 73 55 info@provelo.org www.provelo.org La Maison des Cyclistes Rue de Londres, 15 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) From April to the end of October, from Monday to Friday between 10am and 1.30pm and 2pm and 6pm. At weekends between 10am and noon and 12.30pm to 6pm. From November to the end of March, from Monday to Friday between 10am and 1.30pm and 2pm to 5pm. Le Bois de la Cambre At the Carrefour des Attelages 1000 Brussels From April to mid-September, Sundays and some public holidays, noon to 6pm.

Le Parc de Woluwe At the junction of Avenue du Parc de Woluwe and Avenue des Franciscains 1150 Brussels (Woluwe-Saint-Pierre) From April to mid-September, Sundays and some public holidays from noon to 6pm.

Points Vélo The “Bike Points” rent out light folding bikes that are easy to steer. They also carry out minor bike repairs and offer secure bike parking facilities. The folding bikes can easily be carried into trains, the metro, trams and buses where they travel free of charge. Open: Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm. www.recyclo.org NoORD (at Brussels-North railway station) Place du Nord, 1 1035 Brussels +32 (0)2 203 85 55 CENTRaAL (at Brussels-Central railway station) Carrefour de l’Europe, 2 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 513 04 09 LUXEMBoURG (at Brussels-Luxembourg railway station) Rue de Trèves, 1 1050 Brussels +32 (0)2 224 77 22

Guided bicycle tours Throughout the year, Pro Vélo offers a range of themed bike tours which help participants discover various aspects of Brussels. The tours are not races: speeds are moderate and are adapted to each group. The themes on offer are aimed at general public tastes: from Art Nouveau to Soignes Forest, taking in Freemasonry, Secret Brussels, Green and blue networks and Breweries. For individuals, the season starts in April and ends in October. For groups, the tours are available throughout the year. You must give it a go! Pro Velo 15, rue de Londres 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) +32 (0)2 502 73 55 velotourisme@provelo.org www.provelo.org to check out the programme of tours.

O ther “green” means of transport in Brussels

Villo!

Segways

Some 2,500 bikes are available to the public from 180 Villo points throughout the city, none more than 450m from another one. The bikes are comfortable and have seven gears, and can be taken from, and returned to, any Villo point. The first half-hour is free! www.villo.be

Segways are electric two-wheeled vehicles which are ridden standing up and leaning in the direction you wish to travel. In other words, by simply leaning back or forwards you can make the Segway go backwards or forwards. If you stand up straight, the vehicle will stop! Between May and September, the Belgium Segway Tour offers an unusual two-hour tour of the tourist sights, departing from the Grand’Place aboard these futuristic, environmentally-friendly vehicles.

Belgium Segway Tour +32 (0)470 52 64 56 info@belgium-segwaytour.be www.belgium-segwaytour.be

Green 23

The Bois de la Cambre is partially closed to vehicle traffic at weekends and has many great places to walk or cycle.

All you need to know to enjoy skateboarding in Brussels are the good spots, and there are lots of them! The centre of the skateboarders’ universe is the specially-built Ursulines Skate Park, with its big curves, banks and bowls where you can perform your latest tricks! www.brusk.be

A small but delightful garden built on the roof of an underground conference centre, with panoramic views of the Grand’Place and the historic city centre.

Did you know that half the surface area of the Brussels-Capital Region is green open space? It includes parks, woods, the Forêt de Soignes, private gardens, cemeteries and sports grounds. Here are our favourite green corners of the capital:

Brussels skateboarders

Mont des Arts

G reen open spaces in Brussels

The Forêt de Soignes is a paradise of giant beech trees and clearings, the city’s “green lung” where cyclists must stick to the cycle paths.

Domaine du Rouge Cloître

Jardin du Fleuriste

This former Augustinian priory on the edge of the Forêt de Soignes now houses an art gallery, a story-telling centre, artists’ studios, a sports ground, a restaurant and a café.

Formerly King Leopold II’s favourite part of the grounds of the Royal château, it has now been re-designed to offer a series of different ambiances, including a maze, a viewing platform and the “Ondine” undulating bench designed by Bihain & Callewaert

Square du Petit Sablon Every year, Brussels celebrates European Mobility Week (16 to 22 September) with a wide range of activities including “Car-free Sunday” when you can cycle around the city without worrying about motorised traffic!

The Green Promenade - the city’s green belt In the heart of the capital of Europe, the Green Promenade is a magnificent route over 63km long which allows pedestrians and cyclists to travel right around the Brussels-Capital region via many parks and nature reserves. This route’s main attraction is the extraordinary variety of landscapes. From some viewpoints, walkers and cyclists can enjoy great panoramic views of the countryside, while other parts of the route cross carefully-maintained parks, copses and marshes. The route’s main objective is to help travellers discover urban nature, but it also plays a role in improving the cityscape by preserving its natural features,

24 Green

Parc Royal Landscaped in the eighteenth century, this park opposite the Royal Palace is surprisingly peaceful, except when it is filled with crowds celebrating Belgian National Day on 21 July.

Do you fancy a short pause amid greenery on designer furniture?

The former Brussels - Tervueren railway line can be accessed from the Woluwe park. Its track has been removed and it now offers miles of safe trails for cyclists, pedestrians and nature-lovers. It’s best feature is that it is so flat that everyone can keep up! © P. remy

One of the architectural gems of the city centre, containing a Neo-Renaissance style garden surrounded by statues by some of the greatest nineteenth-century Belgian sculptors.

N ice, safe routes for cyclists and other “green” travellers

Four Sentiers de Grande Randonnée long-distance footpaths pass through Brussels: the one from Paris to Amsterdam goes through the Grand’Place, while the “BRU” footpath weaves its way through the city’s narrow streets past secret places and mysterious parks. The great advantage of Brussels is that all the must-see sights are so close to each other!

Parc d'Egmont A precious green space with three discreet entrances, from Boulevard de Waterloo, Rue du Grand Cerf ou Rue aux Laines. In the park are a restaurant, a magnificent well, a statue of Peter Pan and the Marguerite Yourcenar passage.

and by encouraging the diversity of its flora and fauna. Come and enjoy a unique experience in one of the world’s greenest capitals!

OPEN: From May to September, Tours depart Wednesday to Sunday at 11am, 2pm and 4pm. Tours last 2 hours and are preceded by a 15-minute training session. Not suitable for children under 16. PRICES: €38 per person per tour. Reservations can be made online or via the Tourist Information Centres.

Park Design is a competition to design urban furniture. The winners are given the means to make a prototype of their design and to have it installed in one of central Brussels’ green spaces for at least three years. Today, several locations have designer furniture: in front of the Cathedral of St Michael & St Gudula, in the Square de la Putterie, in the Jardin de l'Albertine and in the Jardin du Fleuriste near the Atomium...

Events Royal greenhouses From the end of April to early May 2011 The greenhouses at the Royal Château of Laeken are sublime winter gardens of iron and glass, and house a valuable collection of rare scents and tropical trees, brought here from the four corners of the world. A Brussels must-see. www.monarchie.be

Brussels Rollers Every Friday from June to September (weather permitting). Put on your in-line skates, Brussels is yours for the evening! Meet up with the other skaters from 7pm onwards at Place Poelaert, for departure at 8pm along a circuit lasting around 3 hours. It’s free of charge and the circuit changes every week. Don’t forget your kit: skates, crash-helmet, knee-guards, elbowguards, and reflector stripes. If you don’t have all of this, you can rent it at the start. The ambiance is fun but safety-conscious.

www.belgiumrollers.com

Slow Food September 2011 The Slow Food Meetings aim to help you discover Brussels’ eco-gastronomy and to enjoy tasting it! Chefs, artisans, producers and processors, both professionals and amateurs, will create “good, clean and honest” meals in four hours, during which they will share with you their passion and knowledge. www.gouterbruxelles.be

Bruxelles Champêtre 18 September 2011 On Car-free Sunday, the Place des Palais will be given over to “Bruxelles Champêtre” a celebration including farm animals, a traditional ale-house, a music kiosque, a marching band, a sustainable food market and a farmers’ market, a huge picnic on a 2,000m2 lawn, an information point on the positive economy, the environment and sustainable transport, a playground and events for children, etc.

www.bruxelles-champetre.be

Organic restaurants, fairtrade shopping, sustainable hotels, green events… discover another side of Brussels at www.brusselsgreen.com

Green 25

Weekends La Bande Dessinée & à Bruxellesin Brussels relaxation When the weather is fine, from the first Sunday in April to the first Sunday in October, you can discover the city and its history aboard an old, earlytwentieth-century tram. You can either take the tram along the city’s most beautiful green avenue, or you can go on a 35km circuit with a guide who will regale you with anecdotes about Brussels. www.trammuseumbrussels.be

BOZAR MUSIC - PALAIS DES BEAUX-ARTS DE BRUXELLES (BOZAR) Rue Ravenstein, 23 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 507 82 00 infomusic@bozar.be www.bozar.be

BRUXELLES EN SCENE Galerie de la Reine, 17 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 512 57 45 info.enscene@skynet.be www.bruxelles-enscene.be

Museum of Bookbinding & Book Art

Tour & Taxis

Flea Market © Olivier Van de Kerchove

Visitors are plunged into an imaginary world where everything has been designed to appeal to your emotions, your desire to see, hear and understand. BRUSSELS ON STAGE is an exhibition-show. It is located in a spectacular cellar under the Galerie de la Reine where you can learn about the mythical side of Brussels before experiencing the real city.

Bibliotheca Wittockiana

OPEN: Every day from 10am to 5pm. PRICES: Adults €6. Concessions €5. Free for children under 6.

BOZARSundays The event for families who like all sorts of art. Programme: 10am - Breakfast – 10.30am – Registration for activities – 11am - Concert - Film – Guided tour of exhibition – Workshops (1h15min) PRICES: Adults €11. Concessions from €3.50 to €4. Breakfast included (in Foyer bar).

Brussels on Stage

Tour et Taxis Avenue du Port, 86c 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 420 60 69 www.tour-taxis.com www.lafonderie.be

Every season, BOZAR MUSIC presents a high-quality programme of concerts for a sensation-seeking audience, as the saying goes “All human feelings have been set to music. Classical music is therefore a matter for sensitive people, not specialists.” BOZAR was founded by the music-lover Henry Le Boeuf and has a concert hall with such exceptional acoustics that it ranks among the top five in the world. Since its gala inauguration on 19 October 1929, it has witnessed performances by the most famous musicians of the twentieth century, including Mengelberg, Horowitz, Rachmaninov, Walter, Menuhin, Stokowski, Prokofiev, Stravinsky... and it’s not over yet!

A concert at BOZAR

Although not yet a popular tourist destination, this former freight railway station’s architecture and industrial heritage are exceptional. The Royal Warehouse is open to the public, who can walk along its “indoor street” and admire its architecture. It has been converted to house offices, shops, the kitchens of Yves Mattagne (the Michelin-starred chef) and various restaurants and snack bars. Guided tours can be arranged with “La Fonderie” which specialises in visits to the city’s industrial heritage sites. You can also download a walk into your i-Pod or your i-Phone or any Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone, which will explain the history of Tour & Taxis as well as the plans for its future.

Its collection includes the magnificent collection of bound books created by its founder Michel Wittock. The collection may be viewed by the public by appointment only. It traces the history of bookbinding styles from the Renaissance to the present day. Every year, the museum also hosts four temporary exhibitions on themes linked to bookbinding and book art, that will be of interest to lovers of both ancient and modern books. BIBLIOTHECA WITTOCKIANA Rue du Bemel, 23 1150 Brussels (Woluwe-Saint-Pierre) +32 (0)2 770 53 33 info@wittockiana.org www.wittockiana.org partial

OPEN: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. PRICES: Adults €4. Concessions €2.50 Guided tours in French, Dutch, English and German by appointment only.

Weekends 27

Midi Market (around Brussels-Midi station)

PRICES: Adults €8. Concessions from €4 to €6.50. Free entry for children under 6 accompanied by an adult.

The largest street market held in Brussels has a multi-cultural and working-class ambiance. Every Sunday from around 6am to around 1.30pm.

Far-East Museums Exoticism in Brussels! Three magnificent FarEastern buildings stand in the grounds of the royal château at Laeken: the Japanese tower, the Chinese pavilion and the Museum of Japanese Art. They combine to offer a journey into Far-Eastern architecture and are an ideal place to wander round at the weekend as they are surrounded by green parkland where time seems to stand still. Musées d’Extrême-Orient Avenue Van Praet, 44 1020 Brussels (Laeken) +32 (0)2 268 16 08 info@kmkg-mrah.be www.kmkg-mrah.be

create a real dialogue between the works and their poetic exhibition space. The visit is accompanied by music, film-clips and optical effects. FONDATION FOLON Ferme du Château de La Hulpe Drève de la Ramée 6 A 1310 La Hulpe +32 0(2) 653 34 56 fondation.folon@skynet.be www.fondationfolon.be

OPEN: From Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Closed on 24, 25 & 31 December and 1 January.

Markets have been held in Brussels for centuries, and even today they are places where you can hear the city’s heart beating. Each market has its own special features, ambiance, smell, customers and stallholders. To simplify things for you, we list the most interesting markets below, by district.

The Ixelles Ponds

Markets

City of Brussels

Sablon Antiques Market Every Saturday and Sunday, a luxury antique market is held in the shadow of one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in Brussels. The Place du Grand-Sablon is invaded by all sorts of collectors looking for Rococo chairs, silverware or porcelain. The market is surrounded by chic boutiques, cafés and restaurants, including famous choclatiers, gastronomic eateries and luxurious homefurnishings stores.

Flower market on the Grand’Place The Grand’Place provides a spectacular background for the modest flower market held there today, which is deeply attached to the place. It continues to delight the eye with the colours and freshness of its roses, tulips, and geraniums. Marché aux fleurs Grand’Place Every day, except Mondays and Thursdays from March to the end of October from 8am to 6pm.

Place du Grand Sablon 1000 Brussels Every Saturday (9am to 5pm) and Sunday (9am to 2pm)

Marolles Flea Market

OPEN: Tuesday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm. Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 10am to 5pm. Closed on Mondays and on 1 January, 1 & 11 November and 25 December. PRICES: Adults €4. Concessions €3. Free on the first Wednesday afternoon of each month.

On the Place du Jeu de Balle, at the heart of the Marolles district, the stallholders of the flea market pile up old telephones, sets of coffee spoons, rusty iron bedsteads and battered old prams. The “Old Market”, as the locals call it, is one of the capital’s most picturesque. As dawn breaks, the first lorries unload their treasures. This is where you can hear the real working-class heart of Brussels beating. The surrounding streets are packed with junk shops, antiques dealers and all sorts of bazaars, making the district resemble AliBaba’s cave. The market and shops stay open until around 3pm on Sunday afternoons.

The Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon has donated over five hundred of his works of art to his foundation, located in the former farm at the Château de la Hulpe, only 20 minutes from Brussels. This charming traditional building is situated at the heart of the magnificent Solvay Park, and brings together works from the artist’s career, spanning over forty years. The works include watercolours, engravings, posters and sculptures and are presented in a lively and unusual series of displays, which

28 Weekends

Folon Foundation

Place du Jeu de Balle 1000 Brussels Every day from 7am to around 2pm (around 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays).

A Zen-like calm pervades this market held in the streets surrounding the ponds, where herons, swans and Art Nouveau buildings meet. To quench the thirst you will build up walking around, head for refreshment at the Café Belga on Place Flagey. The café occupies the ground floor of the “Ocean Liner”, otherwise known as the Flagey Arts Centre, formerly the broadcasting centre for Belgian radio and television. This “image and sound factory” included a huge recording studio, which was said to have been the best in the world when it opened in 1934, and still ranks among the best in the world today. Every day except Mondays from 8am to 1pm.

European District Place Jourdan

treet jumble S sales To find the last missing item from a collection, or a specific artefact from your childhood, or decorative objects for your home or old share certificates that can be framed to decorate an office or an unusual gift or an undiscovered object of great value, have a rummage in the street jumble sales. Here are some of the unmissable ones:

Anderlecht Westland Shopping Centre Boulevard Sylvain Dupuis Every Sunday, either indoors or outdoors, from April to October from 7am to 1pm.

Auderghem Outside Hermann -Debroux metro station Last Sunday of each month from 6am to 1pm. Boulevard du Souverain (opposite the Cultural Centre) Second Sunday of each month from 7am to 1pm.

A light-hearted and cosmopolitan ambiance around stalls where you can buy anything Every Sunday from 8am to 1pm.

Forest

Watermael-Boitsfort

Place Saint -Denis Every Sunday from 6am to 1pm.

Far from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, this Sunday-morning market offers an insight into the charm of this highly-soughtafter middle-class district. Watermael-Boitsfort is among the greenest districts of Brussels and is currently the favourite area of the “bobos” (middle-class bohemians) and the city’s estate agents, for here, the tiniest plot of land is worth a fortune! The market fills the area around the Town Hall and specialises in food, organic produce, crafts and textiles. Every Sunday from 8am to 1.30pm.

Koekelberg Place Simonis Second Saturday of the month from 9am to 1pm.

Woluwe-Saint-Lambert Place Saint-Lambert First Sunday of the month from 7.30am to 1.30pm.

Golf If you would like to play a round of golf at the weekend, you can find information on all golfing activities in Brussels at www.golfbelgium.be and www.destinationgolf.be

Weekends 29

Rue Antoine Dansaert

Shopping, fashion & design in Brussels

What should you take home from Brussels? A Manneken-Pis key-ring, a box of “pralines” (filled chocolates), a few bottles of beer (e.g. Lambic or Trappist), some Brussels lace and, if you have an eye for a bargain, some “brol” (junk) from the flea market.

Saint-Jacques

While in the Dansaert district, don’t forget to stop off at the St Géry Market Hall.

Hype & Gay

Saint Géry Market Hall

Super-trendy, buzzy and cutting-edge, this district attracts all kinds of attention! The city was founded here in the tenth century, and the district is close to the very first port facilities in Brussels. Over the last 15 years it has become home to the city’s fashion designers, who have helped transform the Capital of Europe into the avant-garde city we know today. The designers include Annemie Verbeke, JeanPaul Knott, Johanne Riss, Sofie D’Hoore, Cathy Pill at Stijl, Nicolas Woit, Azniv Afsar, Mieke Cosyn, Mademoiselle Jean, Prototype, Idiz Bogam, Y-Dress, Louise Assomo, Icon, Valérie Berckmans, Own and more recently, Carine Gilson’s lingerie. Although their styles are very different, they all share a passion for style and for fine materials. Olivier Strelli, Rue Blanche, Chine and Bellerose, who also have shops here now have established solid international reputations. New stores are opening all the time, including the “Mapp” and “Hunting and Collecting” concept stores, or the “Hallelujah” fairtrade fashion store. And if you’re looking for accessories, hats and jewellery, then visit designers such as Christophe Coppens, Christa Reniers, Sophie Heymans, Les Précieuses and Marianne Timperman whose items adorn the great and the good as well as one-night beauties. As for design lovers, they will not be disappointed when they discover the talents of designers from the principal Belgian and European design colleges, especially in the “Espace Bizarre”, “Max” and “Kartell” stores. The Dansaert district is also home to the Plasticarium, the world’s only museum of plastic objects, whose collection includes some extremely rare pieces (visits by appointment only: please phone +32 (0)2 344 98 21).

Where designers meet

An exceptional example of nineteenthcentury architecture, with its huge glass canopies over its terraces and its regularlychanging temporary exhibitions on Brussels’ architecture. It’s a great place for a drink at any time of day or night, and has become the hub of the lively, trendy St Géry district. HALLES SAINT GERY Place Saint-Gery 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 502 44 24 info@hallessaintgery.be www.hallessaintgery.be

Home of the Manneken-Pis, the baroque church of Notre-Dame du Bon Secours and twelfthcentury Villers tower, the Saint-Jacques district takes a mischievous pleasure in playing down its well-behaved appearance! It has now become the city’s “enfant terrible”, as the twelfth-century artisans have given way to the very active Lace and Costume Museum, trendy restaurants, gay bars, strip-cartoon boutiques, collectors, artists, intellectuals and students. It is dotted with boutiques devoted to the latest fashions as well as stylish vintage, off-beat and ethnic clothing. Decorated with several Strip Cartoon murals, with a jolly atmosphere all year round, the district is a perfect expression of Brussels “zwanze”, rounded and friendly and very fond of good food! The diversity of its inhabitants and regular visitors is reflected in the range of designers here, from the very glamorous blue-eyed boy of the moment, Xavier Delcour to the ethnic-grunge style of “Alizari”, the kids’ fashion of “The Little Joke”, the vintage second-hand clothes of “R&V”, the cutting-edge designs of “Maison Gillis”, the extraordinary interior designs of “Emery&Cie” and the sex-life and fetish accessories on sale at “Lady Paname”. All find a place here to express their imaginations and know-how.

The Royal Saint Hubert Galleries Grandeur and luxury in the city centre

OPEN: Exhibitions open every day from 10am to 12pm. PRICES: Free of charge

A microcosm of elegance, the Royal St Hubert Galleries (made up of the King’s, Queen’s and Prince’s Galleries) offers a wonderful opportunity to simply stroll along one of Europe’s most

Shopping 31

The Marolles

Agnès B mingle with Brussels designers whose names evoke perfect elegance and absolute good taste, and not just for our princesses! Natan Couture, Olivier Strelli, Chine, Holemans, Delvaux, Isabelle Baines, Les Précieuses, as well as more relaxed brands such as Bellerose and Mer du Nord which have also opened shops in this contemporary cocoon. Dominique Rigo and Bulo offer designs with a good dose of “Belgitude” as well as international designs in dreamy store interiors.

Come and experience this charming, resolutely working-class district of Brussels! Overlooked by the world’s largest law courts building – almost – in one of the world’s smallest countries – almost – the Marolles has managed to preserve many of its historic buildings, but many are showing the ravages of time. Here, every detail counts, in contrast to the modern world. Outlet shops, junk shops, designer galleries and interiors stores rub shoulders in this “alternative” universe where you can go to “Modes” for vintage clothes or to “Bernard Gavilan” for a more contemporary look. You can also enjoy the delightful disorder of the flea market and the hidden gems in the accessories shops, then have a rummage in the shops selling antiques and oriental-style furniture before picking up a few pieces of 1960s or 1970s design at “Artespace”, “La Galerie d’Art Contemporain et de Design”, “D+” or “Vintageartgallery”.

Rue du Bailli - Place du Châtelain and surroundings Place Brugmann Rue du Bailli

Avenue Louise Boulevard de Waterloo Prestige and elegance Just as Paris has its Champs Elysées, Barcelona its Ramblas and New York its Fifth Avenue… Brussels has its Avenue Louise and Boulevard de Waterloo! For as long as anyone can remember, the luxury end of the fashion industry has set up shop here, and so it’s not surprising that the biggest brands, such as Gucci, Armani, Dior, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Hermès, Diane Von Furstenberg (born in Brussels) and

Place du Chatelain & surroundings Located between the effervescent Rue du Bailli and the off-beat Place Brugmann, the Place du Châtelain surprises visitors with its “designer village” atmosphere. Full of shops which blend fashion clothes with objects of pure design pleasure (W80, Puls, etc.), the area is also home to designer outlets including “Des Habits et moi”, “Mais il est où le Soleil?”, Olivia Hainaut, and jeweller Sabine Herman. © Designer : zz Y dress - Picture: G. Rentiers

Design & traditions

In this lively are, set between the very chic Bois de la Cambre and the Palace of Justice, a wide range of styles mingle in this gateway, both to the city and the countryside. The district around the Rue du Bailli has won many fans with its warm-hearted convivial atmosphere. Amid lots of chic fashion and cool interiors, Art Nouveau curves and sgraffiti panels lead towards the Place du Châtelain, the trendy city’s nerve centre. Between Sacha’s trendy bags and shoes, and the designer boutiques, why not give in to the numerous gourmet delights on offer, including Irsi’s chocolates ?

Sablon

32 Shopping

“Brussels Creativity” invites you to join a virtual walk through Brussels. Stroll with us through charming districts and discover the “Brussels lifestyle” via our favourite addresses, trendy boutiques, designers and trendy hotels and restaurants... www.brusselscreativity.be

Unusual and Precious

Sablon / Marolles

Antique collectors and terrace addicts who enjoy seeing and being seen will feel at home here! For this has been the city’s centre of luxury and prestige since the seventeenth century. Once home to the most famous Belgian noble families, this divine place, whose name is derived from the sandy plain on which it was built, has developed into a favourite spot for

Place Brugmann The Place Brugmann is a surprising Art Deco discovery! Set amid a Haussmannian group of wide avenues lined with middle-class townhouses with plant-like Art Nouveau creations popping up here and there, it has become a favourite place for those who appreciate refinement and enjoy surprises. In the square’s shops, every object is the result of a long search, every piece of jewellery is the expression of the most feminine of dreams and every piece of fabric is an answer to a wish for soft materials or wonderful styles… (Les Précieuses, Graphie Sud, Claude Hontoir, AXL, Sandrine Fasoli and Wouters & Hendrix).

To find out all about Fashion events in Brussels, visit Modo Brussels Rue de Laeken, 99 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 502 52 64 info@modobrussels.be www.modobrussels.be

To find out all about Design events in Brussels, visit Designed in Brussels Rue de Laeken, 99 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 218 01 40 info@designedinbrussels.be www.designedinbrussels.be

European capital and long-established trading centre, Brussels offers an infinite variety of shops dedicated to fashion, gastronomy, interior design and entertainment. The must-see main shopping streets are full of a huge variety of shops. But Brussels is also a place where you can come across unexpected hidden gems as you stroll around. Designers, collectors, cosmopolitan boutiques: the city’s shops are its multifacetted face. Find out more at www.shopinbrussels.be And every Thursday evening, the shops in the city centre are open until 8pm! www.afterworkshopping.be

famous fashion houses, renowned art galleries, beautiful boutiques devoted to twentiethcentury designs, the royal family’s jewellers (Leysen&HL), up-market interior-design stores (Flamant) and the greatest Belgian chocolatiers (Wittamer, Marcolini, Neuhaus, Godiva, etc.). Let your eyes and taste-buds devour all that Brussels has to offer, without depriving yourself of the exquisite pleasure of plunging down into the Marolles in the spectacular public lift next to the Palace of Justice, or simply walking there along the Rue de Rollebeek. In the Marolles you will find a diametrically different district to the Sablon, but one that shares the same love of objects, especially on Sundays! As for design, in the Rue de la Régence you will find top-ofthe-range vintage clothes stores with stock dating from the 1940s to the 1970s, with a few 1980s pieces, at “Denis Collard”, “LT2”, “White Design2”, “Vincent Colet” and “Olivier Biltereyst”. More contemporary pieces are stocked at “Vitra” on the Sablon.

©éation - Elric Petit

prestigious shopping arcades. The shops selling designer fashions, top-of-the-range leather goods and luxury jewellery line each side of this impressive space, where famous names have always evoked luxury and the finest-quality materials. Top-of-the-range designer products on sale here include the selection of cuttingedge furniture at “Ligne” and the top-quality accessories at “Top Mouton”. Add to these the dreamy, romantic clothes designed by Kaat Tilley, the elegant gloves at the “Ganterie Italienne”, the vintage jewellery at “Ciel mes Bijoux!” and some of the most beautiful leather goods on the planet at the legendary “Delvaux” and your heart will soar!

Shopping 33

Toy Museum

Brussels for families

The ideal family museum. Both young and old can revisit the magic of childhood through the toys their parents and grandparents played with, in a building full of happy nostalgia. Don’t miss the life-size tram, the big “let’s pretend” kitchen or the bumper cars in which children can bump into each other without being told off! A varied programme of events ensure that every visit is a new adventure.

A meal which all the family will enjoy: chips from one of our famous “fritkots” (chip stands). From among many, we suggest: “Chez Antoine” in Place Jourdan (European district), the “fritkot” in Place Flagey (Ixelles), the “fritkot” in Place de la Chapelle (near the Sablon), “Chez Léon” at Etterbeek railway station (in the University district of Ixelles).

Natural History Museum Without a doubt, this is one of the most impressive museums in Brussels. It houses the biggest dinosaur gallery in Europe as well as numerous halls containing minerals, rocks from the moon, molluscs, whales, live insects and much more. The Museum’s displays also address current trends in its Evolution gallery and its new Biodiversity in the City gallery. You must pay it at least one visit in your lifetime! MUSEUM DES SCIENCES NATURELLES Rue Vautier, 29 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 627 42 38 info@sciencesnaturelles.be www.sciencesnaturelles.be

OPEN: Tuesday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm (last entry at 4.30pm, last admission to temporary exhibitions at 5pm). Saturday, Sunday and during Belgian school holidays from 10am to 6pm. On 24 and 31 December, the museum closes at 3pm. Closed on Mondays and 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. PRICES: Adults €7. Concessions from €4.50 to €6. Free entry for children under 6. Entry to temporary exhibitions costs an extra €2 per person.

Scientastic Museum What could be more fun than to discover the world through our senses? Sit down like a fakir, fly like a bird, take a photo of yourself in an “impossible box”, speak like an alien, whisper secrets from one reflective surface to another, dance with your giant, colourful shadows. Explore around 100 interactive and astonishing scientific experiments! Scientastic In the basement (-1) level of the “Bourse/ Beurs” tram and metro station Boulevard Anspach 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 732 13 36 info@scientastic.be www.scientastic.be

OPEN: Every day from 10am to 12am and from 2pm to 6pm. PRICES: Adults €5.50. Concessions €4.50. Free entry for children under 4. GUIDED TOURS: available for groups by appointment in English, French, Dutch, German, Spanish, Italian, Estonian, Finnish or Russian.

The Childrens’ Museum Come and lose yourselves in the labyrinth and find your way out in the Family Super Market. Learn about the secrets of life-cycles and how to decode contemporary images. Become a ship’s captain and learn childhood rituals from the four corners of the world. The new theme in the museum since November 2010 is “1,001 landmarks”.

OPEN: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10.30am to 5.30pm. Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 2pm to 5.30pm. Closed on 1 January, 21 July 6, 24, 25 and 31 December. PRICES: Adults €7.90. Concessions €5.30 VISITS: available in French, Dutch, German, Italian or Spanish.

MUSÉE DES ENFANTS Rue du Bourgmestre, 15 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) + 32 (0)2 640 01 07 childrenmuseum.brussels@skynet.be www.museedesenfants.be

Museums

MUSÉE DU JOUET Rue de l’Association 24 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 219 61 68 museedujouet@skynet.be www.museedujouet.eu

OPEN : Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and during school holidays from 2.30pm to 5pm. The museum is suitable for families and for children aged 4 to 12. PRICES : Adults: €7.50. Free for children under 3. LANGUAGES : French and Dutch.

Families 35

Aquarium

Océade

The public aquarium of the Brussels Aquarium Centre is the only aquarium open to the public in Brussels. It presents a fantastic universe of small sea creatures from around the world. This view of the fascinating world of fish, amphibians and corals will make you more aware of our environment and of the small gestures we can all make every day to help the natural world. The Brussels Aquarium Centre is also where many species that are extinct, or threatened with extinction, in the wild are kept and bred so that they will be around for future generations. During your visit you will observe, but also learn to understand, respect and feel responsible.

Sub-tropical aquatic park heated to 29°C with indoor and outdoor areas. Come and enjoy some unforgettable experiences in our 12 water-slides, wave-effect swimming pool, Aqua Fun House, Saunaland, jacuzzi, Bounty Raft, Caribbean Madness and Anaconda.

36 Families

At the foot of the Atomium, travel across the 27 Member States of the European Union and admire the most famous historical monuments as well as its most instructive technological symbols via 350 models and animations on a scale of 1:25. From the Eiffel tower to the Acropolis, you are in for a great tour. You can set off some of the displays yourself, including the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the fall of the Berlin wall, the corrida in Seville and many others. At the end of your visit, don’t miss “Spirit of Europe”, an interactive exhibition about the development of the European ideal, where you will learn while having fun.

Mini-Europe

OPEN: Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 6pm. Saturday, Sunday, school holidays and public holidays from 10am to 9pm. PRICES: Adults €16.80. Concessions €13.80. Free entry for children under 115cm tall.

MINI-EUROPE Bruparck 1020 Brussels +32 (0)2 474 13 13 info@minieurope.eu www.minieurope.eu

PLANÉTARIUM DE L’OBSERVATOIRE ROYAL DE BELGIQUE Avenue de Bouchout, 10 1020 Brussels +32 (0)2 474 70 50 planetarium@planetarium.be www.planetarium.be

OPEN: Exhibition from Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm and Sundays from 1.30pm to 4pm. For the timetable of shows, please consult our website. Closed on Saturdays and public holidays. PRICES: Adults €6. Concessions €5. LANGUAGES: French and Dutch. English and German available by appointment.

OPEN: 19 March to 30 June, 9.30am to 6pm. 1 July to 31 August, 9.30am to 8pm. 1 to 30 September, from 9.30am to 6pm. 1 October to 8 January, 10am to 6pm. Every Saturday from 23 July 2011 to 20 August 2011, “Mini-Europe By Night” visits from 9.30pm to midnight, with music and fireworks display at 10.30pm. Last entry one hour before closing time. PRICES: Adults €13,40. Concessions €10. Free entry for children under 120cm tall. Combined tickets with Océade and the Atomium available. LANGUAGES: guidebook available in English, French, Dutch, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Hebrew and Russian.

OPEN : During the Brussels school term-time, Tuesday to Friday from 12am to 6pm and Saturday & Sunday from 10am to 6pm. During the Brussels school holidays, Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Last visitors admitted at 5pm. Closed on Mondays and public holidays. PRICES: Adults €8, Concessions €5. Free entry for children under 1m tall accompanied by an adult. LANGUAGES: Audio-guides in English, French, Dutch and German. Guidebooks for the hearing-impaired in English, French and Dutch.

Heysel

Cinquantenaire Autoworld Planétarium

Planetarium © Vanderstraeten

Aquarium Public de BRUXELLES Avenue Emile Bossaert, 27 1081 Brussels (Koekelberg) +32 (0)2 414 02 09 aquariologie@skynet.be www.aquariologie.be

OCÉADE Bruparck 1020 Brussels +32 (0)2 478 43 20 info@oceade.be www.oceade.be

The Planetarium is a magical place where you can find out all about the beauties of the starry night sky. Various themed displays will teach you how to recognise the most wellknown constellations, to track the orbits of the planets around the Sun and observe the phases of the Moon. Visitors can also admire the extraordinary photos taken by telescopes in space, and can find themselves amidst the astronomical sites of the Andes or even on the surface of the Moon! Soon the stars in the sky will hold no more secrets for you. Special events for small children take place frequently.

At this museum, the cars are valued for their beauty of their design or for their technological quality. Over 250 vehicles trace the development of the modern car from 1886 to 1970, in a huge iron-framed hall that served as the World Palace at the 1880 Universal Exhibition. AUTOWORLD Parc du Cinquantenaire, 11 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 736 41 65 info@autoworld.be www.autoworld.be

OPEN: from Monday to Sunday : from 1 April to 30 September, 10am to 6pm. From 1 October to 31 March, 10am to 5pm. Open on 1 January. PRICES: Adults €6. Concessions from €3 to €4.70

Royal Army & Military History Museum Situated opposite “Autoworld”, this free museum displays items from 1,000 years of history and military technology, from the Middle Ages to the present day, including firearms, armour, uniforms, paintings, sculptures, tanks, aeroplanes and personal memorabilia. Our favourite is the impressive Aircraft Hall! Musée royal de l’Armée et d’Histoire militaire Parc du Cinquantenaire 3 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 737 78 33 infocom@klm-mra.be www.klm-mra.be or www.museedelarmee.be

OPEN: Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 12am and from 1pm to 4.45pm. Closed on Mondays, 1 January, 1 May, 1 November and 25 December. PRICES: Free. Audio-guides available in English, French, Dutch and German: €3. Guided tours: available by prior reservation in Dutch, French, English and German by phoning +32 (0)2 737 79 07

Families 37

estaurants & R clubs by district

To put you on the right track for a successful night out in Brussels, we have selected some “must-see” places, based around five “night life” districts. Follow the guide!

The Place Saint-Géry and the SaintJacques districts are above all places to enjoy yourselves! A stone’s throw from the Grand’Place, they cry out to be experienced without delay and without moderation! As soon as the sun comes out, the terraces fill up, and the bars are packed in the evenings with groups of trendy young people out for a few good beers with their friends!

If you feel like catching a show at the last minute, go to the Arenberg cinema in the Royal Saint Hubert Galleries where you will find the “Arsène 50” ticket counter which offers cut-price tickets for a wide range of shows for the same evening! www.arsene50.be

Archiduc Live jazz music in the purest of Art Deco interiors. Rue Dansaert, 6 www.archiduc.net

Dali’s Bar House music amid décor inspired by the artist. Petite rue des Bouchers, 35

Brussels by night

The City Centre

VIAGE BRUSSELS Viage is a unique entertainment complex offering 14,000 square metres of bars and restaurants for all the family, plus relaxation areas and play areas. The complex offers a casino, a theatre, a concert hall and a dance floor. Visitors can enjoy and discover many different flavours and emotions in a magnificent setting. Visitors can travel from one universe to another, changing atmosphere and activities as they wish… We look forward to welcoming you! VIAGE Boulevard Anspach, 30 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 300 01 00 info@viage.be www.viage.be

Duke’s

VIAGE © Christian Jungwirth

OPENING HOURS: every day from 10am to 5am.

Mappa Mundo

Le You (night club)

Wood-panelled bar which attracts an international crowd. Rue du Pont de la Carpe, 2-6

A must in the city centre. Rue Duquesnoy, 18 www.leyou.be

Le Roi des Belges

Le Delirium Café

With its decoration somewhere between Modernism and Retro, this is the “see and be seen” centre of the St-Géry district. Rue Jules Van Praet, 35

Beers from Belgium and the four corners of the earth in an eighteenth-century cellar. Impasse de la fidélité, 4A (access via Rue des Bouchers) www.deliriumcafe.be

Luxurious night club for the thirty-something crowd. Rue de l’Homme Chrétien, 2 www.dukes.be

Night Life 39

The University district. Here, the festivities often end in the early hours of the morning, if they ever end, that is! This district around the university campus is one of the rare parts of the city where there’s always something going on. Its reasonably-priced restaurants and its cafés open till late are two of the district’s main attractions. Add the many student festivities, and it’s easy to forget it’s next to a cemetery!

Imagin’air A charming and intimate setting for a romantic dinner for two. Place Fernand Cocq, 6 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) www.imaginairartcafe.com

L’Ultime Atome

Café de l’Université For a friendly drink and meal. Avenue de l’Université, 1 1050 Brussels (Ixelles)

La Bastoche Another place for a friendly drink and meal. Chaussée de Boondael, 473 1050 Brussels (Ixelles)

Le Soho Club

Le Comptoir Florian

Le Tavernier

A charming “literary tea room” in an Art Nouveau building. Rue Saint-Boniface, 17 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) www.comptoirflorian.be

Drinks are served outside on the terrace or inside. Mainly busy in the evenings, with loud background music on Friday and Saturday evenings. Chaussée de Boondael, 445 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) www.le-tavernier.be

Temple of Jazz with regular live concerts. Rue de la Tulipe, 28 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) www.soundsjazzclub.be

40 Night Life

Well-known trendy cocktail bar. Chaussée de Boondael, 455 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) www.waff.be

Nexx

Unmissable “district canteen” for drinks or light meals at very reasonable prices. Rue Saint-Boniface, 14 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) www.ultime-atome.com

Sounds Jazz Club

Waff

Open Friday and Saturday from 11pm, disco. Boulevard du Triomphe, 47 1160 Brussels (Auderghem) www.sohoclub.be

Le Ratabar Relaxed ambience. Make sure you try an “apple submarine”, the specialty of the house! Chaussée de Boondael, 345 1050 Brussels (Ixelles)

Chaussée de Boondael, 8 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) www.nexxrestoclub.be

Belga Its terrace and very mixed atmosphere make it a must-see. Place Flagey, 18 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) www.cafe-belga.com

Upper City The chic districts The Avenue Louise and Boulevard de Waterloo are the “Champs Elysées” of Brussels. There are many luxury-brand shops along the Avenue de la Toison d’Or and the Chaussée de Charleroi, as well as a multiplex cinema and a theatre. Add the many cafés, restaurants and nightclubs also crowded in here and you can see why it’s popular with the city’s night owls.

Studio 44 Brussels’ temple of R’n’B, dance, house and disco music. Avenue de la Toison d’Or, 44 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) www.studio44.be

Le Louise Gallery Legendary Electro, Dance and R’n’B dance club on Fridays and Saturdays. Galerie Louise, 1 (basement, level -1) 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) www.louisegallery.com

Recyclart

Ancienne Belgique

Excellent service, contagious dancefloor, comfortable sofas, catchy music, champagne at €50 a bottle and a very mixed crowd. Rue du Pépin, 41 1000 Brussels

Underground parties each weekend evening and live music. Rue des Ursulines, 25 1000 Brussels www.recyclart.be

You can’t talk about live music in Brussels without mentioning the “AB”! The venue hosts concerts by international artists as well as local talent. The DOMINO Festival in March and April highlights off beat music, and the AB organises a free open-air music festival in the city centre each year in the last week of August.

Just Mirano Every Saturday evening! Chaussée de Louvain, 38 1210 Brussels (Saint-Josse-ten-Noode) www.justmirano.be

Libertine Supersport Every Saturday evening one dancefloor is dedicated to “disco classics” while another is given over to real “fans of the dance-floor”. At K-Nal Avenue du Port, 1 1000 Brussels www.libertinesupersport.be

nusual cultural U evenings LES Halles de Schaerbeek

The Marolles This district is where most of the “echte Brusseleirs” (“real Brusselers”) live. They pepper their speech with words from “marollais” a curious mixture of French and Dutch and other languages. It is these long-term residents who give the district its unmissable character and atmosphere. The district is bursting with traditional and trendy bars, cafés and night clubs.

Fuse

A Brussels venue whose unique programme of events is rivalled by its uniquely glorious nineteenth-century industrial architecture, when it was built as a covered market. Now the European Arts Centre for the Belgian Francophone Community, it puts on a programme of multi-disciplinary, contemporary, socially-engaged and international arts events.

Boulevard Anspach, 110 (close to the “Bourse” (former Stock Exchange) 1000 Brussels www.abconcerts.be

LE Botanique Famous for its rock music concerts where the audience often gets out of hand, its exhibitions and its cinema, all packed into a gem of NeoClassical architecture (the former orangery of the Botanical Gardens, built in 1826). In early May each year, the “Bota Nights” series of concerts is always a roaring success thanks to its “multi-vitamined” programme, featuring many top-quality up-and-coming musicians.

Rue Royale, 236 1210 Brussels (Saint-Josse-ten-Noode) www.botanique.be

Rue Royale Sainte Marie, 22 1030 Brussels (Schaerbeek) www.halles.be

Home of the city’s best-known House and Tchno DJs. Rue Blaes, 208 1000 Brussels www.fuse.be

Havana For well-to-do fans of Cuban-style fun. Rue de l’Epée, 4 1000 Brussels www.havana-brussels.com

Le Bazaar Multi-cultural crowd and a wide variety of dance music. Rue des Capucins, 63 1000 Brussels www.bazaarresto.be

This Art Nouveau district has many restaurants. Located between the African atmosphere of the Matongé district and the cheap-and-cheerful shops on the Chaussée d’Ixelles, it’s rather like an island of preserved buildings, many by the Art Nouveau architect Blérot whose facades are illuminated with the sgraffiti and bay windows that were in fashion around 1900. The young, cosmopolitan population (including many students at the Music Conservatory, the School of Cinema and the Fine Arts Academy, as well as employees of the nearby European institutions) generate a friendly, convivial atmosphere. It’s also a favourite haunt of strip cartoon fans, who enjoy browsing in the bookshops on the Chaussée d’Ixelles and the Chaussée de Wavre. You can’t miss the restaurants here, every other door seems to open into one. We advise you to try them all, as they all offer good value for money!

Le Bar Rouge

Around Ixelles cemetery © OPT - Alex Kouprianoff

Saint-Boniface

Night Life 41

Events

Kika Pasta and fusion cuisine in a 1960s setting. Boulevard Anspach, 117 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 513 38 32 www.kikakitchen.be

Belgian Lesbian & Gay Film Festival

Le Tartisan

at the Vendôme Cinema, from 3 to 12 February 2011. Chaussée de Wavre 18 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) www.fglb.org

Speciality quiches. Rue de la Paix, 27 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) +32 (0)2 503 36 00 www.le-tartisan.com

Pink Screens Festival

Pintxo

Queer, alternative & trendy film festival. From 20 to 29 October 2011. Cinéma Nova Rue d’Arenberg, 3 1000 Brussels www.pinkscreens.org

Rue des Pierres, 53 1000 Brussels

Gay Pride LGBT Pride parade in the streets of the city centre in May 2011.

Mam Mam Rue Marché au Charbon, 72 1000 Brussels www.mammam.be

Phoolan Rue du Luxembourg, 43 1000 Brussels www.phoolan.be

www.blgp.be

“La Démence’s Big Weekend” Huge 3-night parties from Friday to Sunday evening. Easter, Whitsun and All Saints. www.lademence.com

Information point Tels Quels asbl

Kokob A very successful Ethiopian restaurant. Rue des Grands Carmes, 10 1000 Brussels www.kokob.be

Rachel Rue du Marché au Charbon, 100 1000 Brussels www.rachelbxl.be

Bars Le Boys Boudoir “Retro” on Friday evenings, piano bar on Saturdays. Rue du Marché au Charbon, 25 1000 Brussels www.leboysboudoir.be

Chez Maman Drag-show bar, a Brussels institution! Rue des Grands Carmes, 7 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 502 86 96 www.chezmaman.be

Dolores Rue du Marché au Charbon, 40 1000 Brussels

Le Duquesnoy Leather bar. Rue Duquesnoy, 12 1000 Brussels www.duquesnoy.com

Gay

Homo Erectus Classicus

Le Belgica

Rue du Marché au Charbon, 5 1000 Brussels www.lhomoerectus.com

The place to be seen! A must! Rue du Marché au Charbon, 32 1000 Brussels www.lebelgica.be

Homo Erectus Rue des Pierres, 57 1000 Brussels www.lhomoerectus.com

Rue du Marché au Charbon, 81 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 512 45 87 www.telsquels.be

42 Night Life

Le Plattesteen

La Démence

In the summer its terrace is the nerve centre of the gay village. Rue du Marché au Charbon, 41 1000 Brussels

Legendary event with international crowd. Fuse Rue Blaes, 208 1000 Brussels www.lademence.com Monthly party, usually on a Friday or the night before a public holiday.

Trendy mixed gay/straight bar. Rue du Marché au Charbon, 91 1000 Brussels

Le Fils de Jules Trendy restaurant in the Châtelain district. Rue du Page, 35 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) +32 (0)2 534 00 57 www.filsdejules.be

Rue des Pierres, 55 1000 Brussels

Le Fontainas

Restaurants

Dansez-vous français? Off-beat and in French. at Métro Valdi Rue des Poissonniers, 7 1000 Brussels Last Friday of every month and the night before every public holiday.

Le Cancan

A place for LGBT people to meet and talk, and to get advice, information and suggestions.

Unmissable one-nighters

Bitchy Butch at Le Bario. Place de la Chapelle, 6 1000 Brussels www.bitchybutch.be Second Saturday of every month.

You Gay Teadance Rue Duquesnoy, 18 1000 Brussels www.leyougayteadance.be Every Sunday from 9pm to 3am.

Ballroom Ballroom dancing for all ages and styles (waltz, tango, cha-cha-cha, salsa, etc.). www.septantesept.be/ballroom Every third Saturday of the month.

Box The only gay club open every night in Brussels. Lounge bar from 10pm to midnight (free entrance), Dance club from midnight to 7am. Rue des Riches Claires, 7 1000 Brussels www.boxclub.be

To find out more about Gay Brussels: www.brusselsgay.be

Night Life 43

1- ARAU ARAU’s guides acquire a critical knowledge of the city from this active organisation which fights for the rights of the city’s residents in the planning process. Boulevard A. Max, 55 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 219 33 45 info@arau.org www.arau.org

2- Arkadia.be Arkadia helps participants in its events how to see and appreciate the historical and architectural heritage of Brussels.

44 Guided tours

3- Itinéraires Starting with an architectural detail or a culinary speciality, Itinéraires’ guides invite visitors to experience art as a lifestyle. Rue de l’Aqueduc, 171 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) +32 (0)2 541 03 77 sophie@itineraires.be www.itineraires.be

4- Le Bus Bavard Unusual, passionate and enjoyable guided tours that will enable you to discover, love and dream about Brussels. Rue des Thuyas, 12 1170 Brussels (Watermael-Boitsfort) +32 (0)2 673 18 35 BusBavard@skynet.be www.busbavard.be

Animation Chrétienne et Tourisme (ACT) Free guided tours, by prior appointment only, of the religious heritage of Brussels.

La Fonderie © Antonio Munoz

Rue du Bois Sauvage, 13 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 219 75 30 alice.verhoeven@base.be www.actasbl.be

La Fonderie’s tours take you along the canal aboard “La Gueuze” to discover the rich industrial and social history of the city and the influence it continues to exert on the banks of the canal and in the port. Rue Ransfort, 27 1080 Brussels (Molenbeek-Saint-Jean) +32 (0)2 410 99 50 parcours.lafonderie@skynet.be www.lafonderie.be

“Hop-on, hop-off” coach tours Tours in red double-decker buses that crisscross the town, departing from Brussels-Central railway station, with multi-lingual audio-guides. Tours depart from Brussels-Central railway station (Gare Centrale) Alfons Gossetlaan, 15 1702 Groot-Bijgaarden +32 (0)2 466 11 11 info@open-tours.com www.opentours.be

14 languages A range of tours (on foot or by coach) from the “classic” tour of the “must-see” sights to Art Nouveau, the Marolles district and strip cartoons. Tourist Information Centre Brussels Town Hall Grand’Place 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 548 04 48 guides@brusselsinternational.be

Pro Vélo offers a range of bicycle tours linked to the architectural history of Brussels and other themes. Rue de Londres,15 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) +32 (0)2 502 73 55 velotourisme@provelo.org www.provelo.org

La Fonderie

Open Tours

GBB Guides

5- Pro Velo

Every day from 1 July to 30 September, come and join the “Colours of Brussels” tour. This guided walking tour (in English and French) starts at 10.30am at the BIP, Place Royale. No reservation in advance required … so it’s ideal for those looking for something “last-minute”. Go along, they’ll be waiting for you! Price : €8 per person (free for children under 12). On Fridays the tour is by bicycle and costs €10. www.voiretdirebruxelles.be

La Fonderie

Visit Brussels Line

Brussels by boat

Korei

Brussels By Water

Themed walking tours covering architecture, literature, philosphical trends and “savoir-vivre” from the eighteenth-century to the present. Rue des Alexiens, 55 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 380 22 09 korei@skynet.be www.korei.be

For boat lovers : tourist cruises along the canal through the heart of the city and its surroundings. Quai des Péniches, 2 bis 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 203 64 06 contact@brusselsbywater.be www.brusselsbywater.be

The ideal way to see all the tourist sights without much effort. Hop on or off our red or blue double-decker buses as often as you like: your ticket is valid for 24 hours. Your ticket also gives you reduced-price entry to museums and tourist attractions. Tours depart from Brussels-Central railway station (Gare Centrale) Rue Marché-aux-Herbes, 82 (near the Grand’Place) 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 513 77 44 info@brussels-city-tours.com www.brussels-city-tours.com “Classic” guided tours every day at 10am and 2pm.

offers a range of tours which give personal and alternative views of the realities of life in Brussels. Each starts from a different point of view, the five associations both promote and share with participants their knowledge of the historical, architectural, economic and social heritage of Brussels and its region, as well as its nature and folklore. www.voiretdirebruxelles.be

Churches in Brussels

La Fonderie’s unusual approach to urban tourism promotes its workers and the daily lives of its inhabitants, through a varied programme of tours on foot, by coach and by boat. Rue Ransfort, 27 1080 Brussels (Molenbeek- Saint-Jean) +32 (0)2 410 99 50 parcours.lafonderie@skynet.be www.lafonderie.be

Voir et Dire Bruxelles

Rue Royale, 2-4 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 563 61 53 info@asbl-arkadia.be www.asbl-arkadia.be

La Bande Dessinée à Bruxelles Guided tours of Brussels

Other cultural tours

Unusual and amusing audio-guided tours, presenting an off-beat and dream-like view of the area around the Grand’Place, the workingclass Marolles district or the charming district around the Place Sainte-Catherine. www.d-tours.org

Guided tours 45

T ransport & travel Thalys trains run between Paris and Brussels 26 times every day (journey time 1h22), between Brussels and Amsterdam 10 times every day (journey time 1h53) and between Brussels and Cologne 6 times every day (journey time 1h47). Special fares apply to many journeys. For more information, please visit www.thalys.com or telephone in Belgium: 070 79 79 79 (€0.30/min) France: 36 35, then say "Thalys" (€0.34/min) Germany: 0180 599 6633 (€0.14/ min) the Netherlands: 0900 92 96 (€0.35/min)

Practical Brussels Art Underground: Many Brussels metro stations have displays of contemporary art. By travelling from station to station, you can discover works of art by Belgian painters and sculptors, just for the price of a dayticket! Perfect for rainy days (or “la drache” as we say here to describe short, heavy showers). For more details, a guidebook is available at the modest price of €5 from the BI-TC Tourist Information Centre at the Grand’Place, or the BIP at Place Royale or the “Bootik” ticket shops in some metro stations.

T ourist information Brussels International Town Hall Grand’Place 1000 Brussels Every day from 9am to 6pm. (From 10am to 2pm on Sundays in December). Closed on Sundays from January to Easter, and on 1 January and 25 December.

Brussels Info Place (BIP) Rue Royale, 2 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 513 89 40 +32 (0)2 513 83 20 tourism@brusselsinternational.be www.brusselsinternational.be Every day from 10am to 6pm. Closed on 1 January and 25 December.

Cars Trains S.N.C.B. (Belgian Railways) Telephone information for travellers National: +32 (0)2 528 28 28 (every day between 7am and 9.30pm) International, Thalys and Eurostar information & reservations: +32 (0)70 79 79 79 (0,30€/min). Accessible from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, and from 9am to 4.30pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. www.thalys.com A free brochure with timetables of trains to tourist destinations is available at any Belgian railway station. www.sncb.be or www.b-rail.be

You are strongly advised to use public transport to get around Brussels. Nevertheless, many pay-car-parks are available in the city centre.

My Guide & Map

Aeroplanes

With more than 100 pages, yet easily fitting in your pocket, “My Guide & Map” is a mine of information about going out, having a drink, relaxing, visiting or wandering through Brussels along the Strip cartoon, Art Nouveau or Trendy trails.

BrusSels National Airport (Zaventem)

Located 14 km from the centre of Brussels. An SNCB train links the airport to Brussels-North, Brussels-Central and Brussels-Midi railway stations every 20 minutes. STIB bus Airport Line links the airport to the European district and to Brussels-Luxembourg railway station (30 minutes). Telephone information on timetables & <_d[ij 8[b]_Wd 9^eYebWj[i general information from Belgium: 090 070 000 between 7am and 10pm every day (answering machine at other times). From abroad +32 (0)2 753 77 53 FRESH www.brusselsairport.be PASTRY

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HOME MADE FRESH CHOCOLATES

FREE TRYING

The Brussels public transport network includes trams, buses and metros. Multiple-journey cards and period tickets are available at reduced rates. To minimise travel time and save money, plan your trips in advance on the STIB website: www.stib.irisnet.be Metro map on page 54.

+32 (0)71 25 12 11 www.charleroi-airport.com

Liège Airport (Bierset) +32 (0)4 234 84 11 www.liegeairport.com

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Rue du Marché aux Herbes, 110, Grasmarkt - 1000 Brussels info@chocopolis.be

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Brussels-South Charleroi Airport (Gosselies)

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Available at the Tourist Information Centre at the Town Hall or at the BIP at Place Royale. Price: €4

Practical Brussels 47

See more and spend less. The longer the duration of your card, the more you save… www.brusselscard.be

10 vouchers to visit the most beautiful museums and tourist attractions in Brussels! Choose 10 from the following: Mini-Europe, Océade, Atomium, Brasserie Cantillon, Musée Magritte, Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Musée des Instruments de Musique, My Guide & Map, Autoworld, Musées Royaux d’Art et d’Histoire and enjoy 10% to 30% off the normal entry prices.

Price: €18 www.mustofbrussels.com

THEMUST of

Coupons pour visiter les plus beaux musées et attractions de Bruxelles Coupons om de mooiste musea en attracties van Brussel te bezoeken Vouchers to visit the most beautiful Brussels’s museums and attractions Coupons für einen Besuch der schönsten Museen und Attraktionen Brüssels

48 Practical Brussels

HEYSEL

Autoworld

Océade

VOUCHERS

Atomium

VOUCHERS

Mini Europe

Royal Museums of Art & History

VOUCHERS

Cantillon Brewery

e-shop advantages Choose and book your visits from the comfort of your home: • chocolate tastings • visits to tourist attractions • tickets for themed guided tours • and of course your ”all inclusive” Brussels Card! It only takes a few clicks to fill your basket and create your itinerary before even setting foot in Brussels. You can devise your own programme, save time and pay securely. www.brusselsinternational.be

Musical Instruments Museum

Belgian Comic Strip Center

VOUCHERS

Magritte Museum

Museum of Fine Arts

taying in S private homes One of the best ways to discover a city and its inhabitants is to stay in a private home. In addition to the warmer atmosphere of a home compared to a hotel, it offers many opportunities to find out and sample the hidden side of the city.

Our favourites among others Café Le Vaudeville Bed & Breakfast This B&B is situated in an unusual location in the magnificent Royal Galleries shopping arcade at the heart of the historic city centre. The guest bedrooms have been furnished and decorated with great taste on different themes: each tells a tale linked to the history of the arcade. You are invited to come and discover them and to live an unforgettable moment in a magical place.

VOUCHER

Brussel’s Guide & Map

CITY CENTER

4863-MNE-Flyer Must 2010-DEF.indd 1

Bed & Brussels Bookings Centre

17/09/09 14:57:15

Youth Card Are you under 26? The European Youth Card offers thousands of reductions and special offers on activities and purchases in Belgium and 40 other European countries… for just €12 per year. Please visit www.cartejeunes.be to see the reductions and special offers for card-holders in Brussels.

The wide range of guest rooms offered by the members of Bed & Brussels make them ideal partners when planning a romantic weekend for two or a short break with friends or family, at a minimal price (1 star) or in a charming luxury room (3 stars). You cannot fail to be charmed by the warmth of your host’s welcome and their talents as interior designers. Various themed packages (e.g. beer, strip cartoons, Magritte) are available online. +32 (0)2 646 07 37 info@bnb-brussels.be www.bnb-brussels.be

The Little Maples Rue des Érables, 26 1040 Brussels (Etterbeek) +32 (0)2 734 94 00 apct@skynet.be www.littlemapples.com

Campsite The only campsite in the Brussels-Capital Region is located in Ixelles, not far from the European district. It can accommodate up to 80 campers, and is open from 1 July to 31 August. Of course, the site has all “mod cons” including toilets and showers.

VOUCHERS

*Prices 2010

Rue Royale 2-4 1000 Brussels Tél: +32 (0)2 563 61 04 Fax: +32 (0)2 563 61 05 info@brusselsbookingdesk.be www.brusselsbookingdesk.be

VOUCHERS

Brussels Card valid 24, 48 or 72 hours

24-hour card costs €24 48-hour card costs €34 72-hour card costs €40

VOUCHERS

CINQUANTENAIRE

VOUCHERS

ake your life M easier by using the e-shop and cultural passes!

Brussels Booking Desk

Also don’t forget to check out the site www.citytrip-brussels.be for lots of special offers and money-saving packages!

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This Bed & Breakfast is located in an entirelyrenovated house in the Etterbeek district. Its façade is listed in the architectural heritage inventory of the Brussels-Capital Region. The façade features several terraces planted with local plants, including maples, but also hops, Brussels sprouts, etc. The three guest bedrooms have double beds and en-suite bathrooms. Your host, a qualified ice-cream maker, was the co-founder of a nearby chocolaterie. In some cases, depending on the time of day, guests may pick up the key at the chocolaterie, amid delightful aromas of cocoa.

As in all large cities, you’ll find many different categories of hotels in Brussels. Note, however that many hotels offer special weekend and holiday (July/August) rates, which can offer considerable reductions! Visit www.brusselsbookingdesk.be to reserve your hotel room in Brussels from the comfort of your home.

Brussels

Composez votre séjour pour seulement Stel uw verblijf samen voor maar Compose yourself your stay for only Gestalten Sie Ihren Aufenthalt für nur

The Little Maples B&B

Hotels

In short: - entry to more than 30 museums in Brussels (including the Magritte Museum) - free travel on the STIB bus, tram and metro network - reductions of between 25% and 50% on the normal entrance fees to tourist attractions and tours (including 25% off at the Atomium!) - 25% discount or a free drink in restaurants or bars - reductions of between 5% and 25% in shops and boutiques (including designer fashion shops in the Rue Dansaert district) - map of Brussels - guidebook to Brussels (worth €3)

The Must-See Sights of Brussels

Postal address: Rue Saint-Bernard, 30 1060 Brussels info@opt.be www.belgique-tourisme.be

A Brussels Card allows you to discover this fascinating European capital in its best light! It gives you free entry to more than 30 museums, free public transport plus discounts in restaurants, bars, shops, designer boutiques, guided tours and other tourist attractions.

Office de Promotion du Tourisme de Wallonie et de Bruxelles asbl (OPT)

Bruxelles Europe à ciel ouvert Chaussée de Wavre, 203 1050 Brussels (Ixelles) +32 (0)2 640 79 67

Café Le Vaudeville Bed & Breakfast Galerie de la Reine, 11 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 511 23 45 www.chambresdhotesduvaudeville.be

Practical Brussels 49

Rue Traversière, 8 1210 Brussels +32 (0)2 217 01 58 info@chab.be www.chab.be

Auberge des 3 Fontaines

HOTEL PACIFIC bb

Chaussée de Wavre, 2057 1160 Brussels +32 (0)2 663 24 32 www.auberge3fontaines.be

Rue Antoine Dansaert, 57 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 213 00 80 www.hotelcafepacific.com

HOLIDAY INN GARDEN COURT BRUSSELS EXPO bbb

To find out all about the five youth accommodation centres in Brussels, all of which are modern, comfortable and accessible by reduced-mobility visitors, and which offer many services as well as a warm welcome, at a reasonable price, visit www.hostelsinbrussels.be

Avenue Impératrice Charlotte, 6 1020 Brussels +32 (0)2 478 70 80 www.holidayinn-brussels.com/expo

HOTEL BLOOM! BRUSSELS bbb Rue Royale, 250 1210 Brussels +32 (0)2 220 66 11 www.hotelbloom.com

HOTEL ERASME bbb

Rue de la Sablonnière, 30 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 218 01 87 Reservation hotline: +32 (0)2 209 03 00 brussels.brel@laj.be www.laj.be / www.gitesdetape.be

BRUSSELS GREETERS All sorts of people living in Brussels act as volunteer Brussels Greeters because they love the city they know so well and want to share it with you. They will take you off the beaten track to introduce you to “their” Brussels. An unusual “participative tourism” experience! Greeters Brussels Rue Louis Hap, 16 1040 Brussels + 32 (0)2 648 09 79 greeters@tourisme-autrement.be www.greeters.be

50 Practical Brussels

Génération Europe

Espace du Marais Rue du Damier, 23 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 218 50 50 info@sleepwell.be www.sleepwell.be

Auberge de Jeunesse Jacques Brel – Gite d’Etapes

Rue de l’Eléphant, 4 1080 Brussels +32 (0)2 410 38 58 brussels.europe@laj.be www.laj.be

Route de Lennik, 790 1070 Brussels +32 (0)2 523 62 82 www.hotelerasme.be

Sleep Well Youth Hostel

Really friendly, 100% young people, great comfort and reasonable prices!

ur selection O of hotels in Brussels

Centre Vincent van Gogh (CHAB)

outh hostels Y and Youth accommodation centres

HOTEL ORTS bbb Rue Auguste Orts, 38-40 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 450 22 00 www.hotelorts.com

HOTEL PROGRESS SA bbb Rue du Progrès, 9 1210 Brussels +32 (0)2 205 17 00 www.progresshotel.be

HOTEL SAINT NICOLAS bbb Rue du Marché aux Poulets, 32 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 219 04 40 www.st-nicolas.be

THE DOMINICAN BRUSSELS bbb Rue Léopold, 9 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 203 08 08 www.thedominican.be

THE WHITE HOTEL bbb

Brussels Marriott Hotels bbbb

Avenue Louise, 212 1050 Brussels +32 (0)2 644 29 29 www.thewhitehotel.be

Rue Auguste Orts, 3-7 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 516 90 00 www.marriott.com/brudt

ACCOR HOTELS 3-to-4b

CROWNE PLAZA BRUSSELS CITY CENTRE – LE PALACE bbbb

- IBIS BRUSSELS CENTRE GARE DU MIDI +32 (0)2 541 44 44 - IBIS BRUSSELS CENTRE Ste CATHERINE +32 (0)2 513 76 20 - IBIS BRUSSELS OFF Grand’Place +32 (0)2 514 40 40 - MERCURE BRUSSELS AIRPORT +32 (0)2 726 73 35 - NOVOTEL BRUSSELS Grand’Place +32 (0)2 514 33 33 - NOVOTEL BRUSSELS TOUR-NOIRE +32 (0)2 505 50 50 www.accorhotels.com

BEST WESTERN HOTELS BELGIUM BEST WESTERN PREMIER SODEHOTEL LA WOLUWE 4b Avenue E. Mounier, 5 1200 Brussels +32 (0)2 775 21 11 www.sodehotel.eu www.bestwestern.com

THON HOTELS BRUSSELS (more than 1,000 rooms) 3-to-5b Avenue Louise, 91-93 1050 Brussels +32 (0)2 205 15 08 www.thonhotels.be

Rue Gineste, 3 1210 Brussels +32 (0)2 203 62 00 www.crowneplaza.com/brusselsbel

CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL BRUSSELS EUROPA bbbb Rue de la Loi, 107 1040 Brussels +32 (0)2 230 13 33 www.europahotelbrussels.com

HOTEL LE PLAZA bbbb Boulevard Adolphe Max, 118-126 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 278 01 00 www.leplaza.be

HOTEL SILKEN BERLAYMONT bbbb Boulevard de Charlemagne, 11-19 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 231 09 09 www.hotelsilkenberlaymont.com

HUSA PRESIDENT PARK HOTEL bbbb Boulevard du Roi Albert II, 44 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 203 20 20 www.husapresidentpark.com

Practical Brussels 51

Rue d’Idalie, 35 1050 Brussels +32 (0)2 626 81 11 www.brussels.eu.radissonsas.com

SHERATON BRUSSELS HOTEL bbbb

CONRAD HOTEL BRUSSELS bbbbb

Place Rogier, 3 1210 Brussels +32 (0)2 224 31 11 www.starwoodhotels.com/brussels

Avenue Louise, 71 1050 Brussels +32 (0)2 542 42 42 www.conradhotels.com

WARWICK BARSEY HOTEL BRUSSELS bbbb

HOTEL MANOS PREMIER bbbbb

Avenue Louise, 381-383 1050 Brussels +32 (0)2 649 98 00 www.warwickbarsey.com

Chaussée de Charleroi, 100-104 1060 Brussels +32 (0)2 537 96 82 www.manoshotel.com

AMIGO HOTEL bbbbb

RADISSON BLU ROYAL HOTEL bbbbb

Rue de l’Amigo, 1-3 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 547 47 47 www.hotelamigo.com

Rue du Fossé-aux-Loups, 47 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 227 31 31 www.radissonblu.com/royalhotel-brussels

With the kind assistance of "la Commission communautaire française"

52 Practical Brussels

ROYAL WINDSOR HOTEL GRAND PLACE bbbbb Rue Duquesnoy, 5 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 505 55 55 www.royalwindsorbrussels.com

SOFITEL BRUSSELS EUROPE bbbbb Place Jourdan, 1 1040 Brussels +32 (0)2 235 51 00 www.sofitel-brussels-europe.com

Published by the “Office de Promotion du Tourisme de Wallonie et de Bruxelles”, asbl – City Breaks Department. Co-ordination : Sandrine Delcourt with the collaboration of the BITC and Philippe Cleda. Cover : ParcoursBD © OPT-JP Remy, © www.atomium.be - SABAM 2010, © iStockphoto: Town Hall © Andrea Seemann, Cafe Menu © lillisphotography, Camphor Tree © DNY59, Martyrs Square © Franky De Meyer, Botanique © Sealine, Manneken Pis © Steven Allan, European Parliament © Franky De Meyer. Pictures page 53 : © Mini Europe, Chocolates © Zaabar , The Sequence - Arne Quinze © OPT - Remy, Gay Pride © M. Vanhulst, Van Buuren Museum's gardens © M. Vanhulst, L'Ilôt Sacré - rue des Bouchers © BITC/Olivier van de Kerchove. The information in this brochure was compiled with great care. The editor cannot be held responsible for any changes that took place between the moment the information was collected and the printing of the brochure. Belgian “Editeur responsable”: V. Jacobs. Design and pre-impression : www.adjust.be & Lightlemon. Printed in Belgium by Imprimerie Massoz (11/2010)

Come and try a city break in Brussels. If you’re looking for activities, good food and drink, artistic events or simply for relaxation, then Brussels can offer all that you need and much more besides, through unexpected encounters and its frankly surreal atmosphere. A visit to Brussels is an opportunity to sample its 1,001 delights. Have a look at our suggestions for weekend trips with “guaranteed pleasures” at

www.citytrip-brussels.be

Gay Brussels

RADISSON BLU EU HOTEL bbbb

Romantic Brussels

Boulevard Charlemagne, 80 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 230 85 55 www.martins-hotels.com

Looking for a change of air, of flavours, of colours?

Young Brussels

MARTIN’S CENTRAL PARK bbbb

Arty Brussels

Boulevard Adolphe Max, 98 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 227 03 00 www.marivaux.be

Gourmet Brussels

Family Brussels

MARIVAUX HOTEL CONGRESS & SEMINAR CENTRE bbbb

Tourist Information Belgium

Japan

USA

Office de Promotion du Tourisme de Wallonie et de Bruxelles (OPT)

Belgian Tourist Office Brussels-Wallonia

Rue Saint-Bernard, 30 1060 Brussels (Post) www.bruxelles-tourisme.be

Postal adress : Heiwa Daiichi Building 1-4-5 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-Ku Tokyo 102-0093 TEL: +81 (0)3 32 37 71 01 FAX: +81 (0)3 32 37 84 00 opt@belgium-travel.jp www.belgium-travel.jp

Postal adress : 220 East 42nd Street – suite 3402 New York City, NY 10017 TEL: +1 212 758 81 30 FAX: +1 212 355 76 75 info@visitbelgium.com www.visitbelgium.com

Brussels International (BI-TC) TOWN HALL Grand-Place 1000 Brussels TEL: +32 (0)2 513 89 40 tourism@brusselsinternational.be www.brusselsinternational.be

Brussels Info Place (BIP) Rue Royale, 2 1000 Brussels TEL: +32 (0)2 513 89 40 FAX: +32 (0)2 513 83 20 tourism@brusselsinternational.be www.brusselsinternational.be

Poland

Belgian Tourist Office Brussels-Wallonia

Urzad Promocji Turystyki Walonia-Bruksela

Postal adress : 217, Marsh Wall London E14 9FJ TEL: +44 20 75 31 03 90 FAX: +44 20 75 31 03 93 FREE BROCHURE LINE : 0800 9545 245 (UK only) info@belgiumtheplaceto.be www.belgiumtheplaceto.be

Postal adress : ul. Ks. I . Skorupki 5- VIe pietro 00546 Warszawa TEL: +48 22 583 70 06 or 01 FAX: +48 22 583 70 03 mjanow@poczta.onet.pl www.belgique-tourisme.be

Tourism 55

Whether it is for business or pleasure, an individual or a group reservation,

discover hoW easy it is to book a room !

ÂŠ Atomium Asbl

You are just one click away from staying in Brussels, the capital of Europe !

For individual reservations : www.brusselsbookingdesk.be For group reservations : Tel : +32 (0)2 563 61 04 Fax :+32 (0)2 563 61 05 â&#x20AC;˘ e-mail : info@brusselsbookingdesk.be