Welcome to Brussels
Brussels is the capital for 500 million Europeans, and is one of the world's Power Cities – very
important places for decision-making and debate. But it's a metropolis with a personal touch, and is
internationally renowned for its conviviality. It offers a warm welcome to its numerous visitors:
whether they come for business, culture, leisure or to get away from it all, a trip to Brussels is always
memorable.
It's a global and proudly multicultural city… it's both historical and modern, a meeting point of North
and South, and where the differences are maintained yet meld together harmoniously.
Its cuisine can meet any challenge, its fashion is paraded on the world's leading catwalks, its Art
Nouveau treasures offer more than 200 opportunities to be admired, and its comic strip heroes have
recently become Hollywood stars.
Summary:
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General
Transport
The top 10 attractions in Brussels
Brussels from every angle: themes
Brussels for every taste: targets
Coming Soon
More about visit.brussels
Brussels’ responsible commitments
Press contacts
In this pack, the various themes and visitors targeted are set out in brief. More detailed themed
packs can be downloaded from www.visit.brussels (section: press/maps & brochures).
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1. General
Brussels in figures:
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161 km² in area
1,114,555 inhabitants, including European expats
2 languages. Brussels is a bilingual region (French/Dutch), but most people also speak and
understand English
Over 150 nationalities
The capital for 500 million Europeans, and home to the key European institutions and NATO
3.3 million visitors a year
Over 197 hotels
12***** and 56****
Over 19,000 hotel rooms
6.3 million overnight stays a year
2059 restaurants
Over 100 museums
More than 14,000 events a year (exhibitions, concerts, activities, etc.)
Approximately 500 Art Nouveau buildings
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2. Transport
Train
Over 60 million Europeans can reach the capital of Europe in less than two hours, in comfort and
with respect for the environment: both business and leisure visitors to Brussels love the high-speed
trains. The main arrival destination for high-speed trains is the Gare du Midi/Brussels South Station
(rue de France 2, 1060 Brussels), which is connected to the other four major stations in Brussels
(North, Central, Luxembourg and Schuman).
Train operators here include Eurostar, Thalys, TGV and Ice.
The most frequent journeys:
Amsterdam • Brussels 210 km - 1 hr 49 mins (10 trains a day)
Düsseldorf • Brussels 220 km - 2hrs 20 mins
Lille • Brussels 95 km - 40 mins
Cologne • Brussels 207 km - 1 hr 47 mins or 1 hr 57 mins (up to 10 trains a day)
London • Brussels 350 km - 1 hr 51 mins (9 trains a day)
Paris • Brussels 300 km - 1 hr 22 mins (up to 25 trains a day)
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National trains – SNCB
www.belgianrail.be
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International trains
www.b-europe.be
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Public transport
For getting about in the heart of the city and its environs, residents and visitors to Brussels have
plenty of choice. On foot, by bike, by tram, by metro, by bus, by shared night taxi, etc… So it takes no
time to get to the museums, sights, exhibitions and shopping centres, or to meet friends, any time of
day or night. Visitors can also rent a Villo bike, which gives them more freedom to discover the city.
There are 180 docking stations where the hire bikes can be picked up and returned.
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Metro, tram, bus
www.stib.be
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Bike hire
www.villo.be
www.provelo.org
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Shared night taxis (23.00 to 06.00)
www.collecto.org
Plane
Once visitors arrive at Brussels Airport, it couldn't be easier to get to the city centre.
The station is on the lower ground level of the airport. The Brussels Airport Express leaves four times
an hour to and from Brussels North, Brussels Central and Brussels South. It only takes 20 minutes to
reach the city centre from the airport. There are also direct links to all four corners of Belgium. There
is also the Airport Line bus which is an express link between Brussels National Airport and the
European district – moments away from the business and tourist districts at the upper end of the
city. The bus station is on the ground level of the airport.
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3. The top 10 places to visit in Brussels
These 10 important attractions and museums in Brussels listed below drew in approximately
3,000,000 visitors between them in 2013.
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Atomium
An unmistakable symbol of Brussels and Belgium and a unique feat in the history of
architecture: today, the Atomium is the most popular attraction in the capital of Europe.
Built for the 1958 World's Fair, it is a model of a crystalline iron molecule magnified 165
billion times. As well as offering a surrealist walk through tubes and spheres, the Atomium
also has a permanent exhibition about its history and temporary exhibitions for a broad
public (about science, design and society). The upper sphere offers unique, spectacular views
of Brussels and its environs.
Square de l’Atomium, 1020 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 475 47 75
www.atomium.be
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BOZAR
Erected in 1928 by architect and master of Art Nouveau Victor Horta, it is a centre of cultural
and artistic life, with a variety of exhibitions, concerts and events. Each year, in May, BOZAR
hosts the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Contest. A full renovation of the interior restored the
original appearance of the building, as designed by the master, Horta. There are tours that
allow people to rediscover parts of the building previously off-limits to the general public.
Rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 507 84 30
www.bozar.be
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Comics Art Museum
Located in the heart of Brussels, in a majestic Art Nouveau building created by Victor Horta in
1906, the Belgian Comics Art Museum opened its doors to the public on 6 October 1989. In
no time this impressive museum became one of the main attractions in Brussels. Each year
more than 200,000 visitors come here to explore 4,200 m² of permanent and regularly
changing temporary exhibitions.
Rue des Sables 20, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 219 19 80
www.comicscenter.net
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Magritte Museum
In the building housing the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, visitors can explore the
2,500 m² of the Magritte Museum. This museum exhibits the Surrealist artist's creations
belonging to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, which mainly came from purchases
and from the Irène Hamoir-Scutenaire and Georgette Magritte bequests. This
multidisciplinary collection is the richest in the world. It comprises more than 200 works
consisting of oils on canvas, gouaches, drawings, sculptures and painted objects as well as
advertising posters, music scores, vintage photographs and films directed by Magritte
himself.
Place Royale 1, 1000 Brussels (entrance via rue de la Régence 3)
T.: +32 (0) 2 508 32 11
www.musee-magritte-museum.be
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Mini-Europe
Located at the foot of the Atomium, Mini-Europe offers a journey across Europe in just a few
hours. It's an invitation to stroll through some of the most beautiful cities in the Old
Continent, taking in their typical atmospheres. The incomparable chimes of Big Ben welcome
visitors to the heart of London, while gondolas and mandolins evoke the charms of Venice.
Along the route, visitors can see various things going on: Mount Vesuvius erupting, the Berlin
Wall falling, a bullfight in Seville, and much more. In total there are 350 scale models and
sites to discover.
Brupark, 1020 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 474 13 13
www.minieurope.com
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Museum of the City of Brussels (King's House)
This superb historic building was rebuilt in the 19th century true to the 16th-century original,
the site having been occupied from the 12th century by a bread hall. The museum is devoted
to all aspects of the city's history and also houses, in its folklore section, the extravagant
wardrobe of the most mischievous little inhabitant of Brussels: the Manneken-Pis. One of the
richest collections of costumes imaginable – some 925 of them, dating from the 18th century
to the present day.
Grand’Place, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 279 43 50
www.brussels.be
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Musical instruments Museum
This museum occupies the Art Nouveau buildings of the former Old England stores (3000m2
of exhibition space) and is one of the biggest collections of instruments in the world. The four
exhibition levels have on display nearly 1200 instruments (from the 7000 items in the
collection), both antique and contemporary, and presented in a way that blends sound and
vision and includes technological tools such as interactive terminals and sound spaces.
Rue Montagne de la Cours 2, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 545 01 30
www.mim.be
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Natural Sciences Museum
Not to be missed: the iguanodons of Bernissart – the museum's showpieces. Or the Evolution
Gallery, which is a true journey through the history of living creatures. Several exhibition
spaces present some magnificent specimens: the Whale Hall, the north and south poles, the
Insects Room, and more.
Rue Vautier 29, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 627 42 11
www.sciencesnaturelles.be
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Parlamentarium
The world of the European Parliament can be discovered at the Parlamentarium, the biggest
visitors' centre of any parliament in Europe. Children over 10 and adults can learn, in a
dynamic and original way, and in 23 languages, how decisions are made and how they
influence our daily lives.
Rue Wiertz 60, 1047 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 283 22 22
www.europarl.europa.eu/parlamentarium
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The Royal Museums of Fine Arts
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium (MRBAB) form one of the biggest museum
complexes in Belgium. Made up of museums such as the Old Masters Museum and the
Modern Art Museum, they bring together rich art collections from the late 14th century to
the present day. The MRBAB regularly holds large-scale exhibitions on different themes. In
2013 another, now unmissable, museum was added to the complex – the Fin de Siècle
Museum. Presented here is a collection of works that reflect the multiple artistic disciplines
practised between 1868 (the year that the Société Libre des Beaux-Arts – the Free Society of
Fine Arts – was set up) and 1914.
Rue de la Régence 3, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 508 32 11
www.fine-arts-museum.be
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4. Brussels from every angle: themes
Brussels is a city that draws you in: it reveals itself to those who want to discover it, giving them
the pleasure of feeling at ease in a place they don't know, and offering them an emotive
experience. Brussels has a thousand and one shining facets. There is something to interest
everyone here and to make them feel at home.
Heritage
The Grand-Place in Brussels has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998: this square of gold
and stones, charged with history, is remarkable for many reasons, but its eclecticism and harmony
are what make it a truly exceptional place. The perimeter listed includes all the houses on the GrandPlace and its adjoining streets. It's a district that is well worth a visit by day or by night, when it's lit
up by a magnificent light show.
Other legendary places in the city centre not to be missed: the Manneken-Pis, a statue of a brazen
little boy with an extensive wardrobe; the Galeries Saint-Hubert, the first covered arcade of its kind
in Europe; the Stock Exchange, which looks like a Greek temple, and the surrounding Belle Epoque
cafés; the opera; La Monnaie; and the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula with its
stained-glass windows and grandiose organs.
Some unmissable addresses:
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BELvue Museum
The history of Belgium presented in an original, fun way: the 1830 revolution, the
colonisation of the Congo, the struggle for civic rights, the royal question, the golden sixties,
etc.
Place des Palais 7, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 70 22 04 92
www.belvue.be
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Brussels Town Hall (Hotel de Ville)
Gothic buildings surmounted by a 96-metre-high tower.
Grand’Place, 1000 Brussels
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Bruxella 1238-Archaeological Site
Small archaeological site open to the public displaying the remains of the Franciscan
monastery built in Brussels in 1238.
Rue de la bourse, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 279 43 76
http://musees.brussels.be
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Café Toone
Toone puppet theatre.
Impasse Sainte-Pétronille, rue du Marché-aux-Herbes 66, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 511 71 37 or +32 (0) 2 513 54 86
www.toone.be
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Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula
Saint Michael and Saint Gudula is the main church in Brussels, but it is also and above all the
church of princes.
Place Sainte-Gudule, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 217 83 45
www.cathedralestmichel.be
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Coudenberg
A subterranean journey in search of the remains of the palace of Charles the Fifth.
Place des Palais 7, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 70 22 04 92
www.coudenberg.be
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Galerie Bortier
Neo-Renaissance narrow alleyway linking the rue Saint-Jean with the rue de la Madeleine.
Mainly home to second-hand bookshops.
Rue Saint Jean 17, 1000 Brussels
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Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
First covered arcade in Europe, opened in 1847.
Galerie du Roi 5, 1000 Brussels
www.grsh.be
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La Monnaie
Built in 1700 for theatre productions, La Monnaie is now the home of the National Opera.
Place de la Monnaie, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0)2 229 12 00
www.lamonnaie.be
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Manneken Pis
Manneken-Pis is a small bronze sculpture in Brussels, depicting a naked little boy urinating
into a fountain's basin. It is the most famous fountain in Brussels, dating from the 17th
century.
Corner of the rue de l’Etuve and the rue du Chêne, 1000 Brussels
www.manneken-pis.be
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Museum of Letters and Manuscripts
The collection offers a unique view of the men and women who have contributed to the
evolution of art, history, music, literature and sciences.
Galerie du Roi 1, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0)2 514 71 87
www.mlmb.be
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Museum of the City of Brussels
The Museum of the City of Brussels gives an overview of the arts and objects made in
Brussels between the 13th and 19th centuries as well as some superb maquettes and the
incredible wardrobe of the Manneken-Pis.
Maison du Roi, Grand’Place, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 279 43 50
http://www.museedelavilledebruxelles.be/en
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The Stock Exchange
Built in the 19th century, when this building was where business deals were done. It's now an
exhibition space, hosting temporary exhibitions.
Rue Henri Maus 2, 1000 Brussels
Some unmissable events:
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Brussels Bienvenue (Welcome to Brussels) - 09.05.2015-10.05.2015 (to be confirmed)
Residents, neighbourhood committees and local associations open their doors to show their
city to visitors or locals.
www.brusselsbienvenue.be
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Carolus Festival - 17.05.2015-31.08.2015
This festival presents a programme of tourist activities on the theme of Charles the Fifth and
his age.
www.carolusfestival.be
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L’Ommegang - 30.06.2015 & 02.07.2015
Re-enactment of the procession of Charles the Fifth and his son (1549) with over
1400 players.
www.ommegang.be
"visit.brussels sized for Heritage" mini map
The Grand’Place in Brussels has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. Worth exploring: the
square's mix of architectural and artistic styles with the mini map "visit.brussels sized for
Heritage". Available from information offices and from the visit.brussels website in French/English
and Dutch/German.
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Art Nouveau & Art Deco
From 1890, the new generation of architects decided to break with the styles of the past, and their
Art Nouveau gave the houses of Brussels a new look. Horta, Cauchie, Hankar, Blérot and some 20 of
their contemporaries would revolutionise construction by their use of iron. The results were
beautiful: wide picture windows, stone scrolls, motifs inspired by nature and wildlife, arabesques
sweeping over the façades, ochre and willow green bringing back to life a landscape that had been
dulled by industry.
The Roaring Twenties launched Art Deco: a vision of forms and spaces similar to Cubism. Picking
itself up after the First World War, Brussels was rebuilt, and this style was one of those used. Its
credo was clear lines, concrete, pared down spaces and African motifs.
Some unmissable Art Nouveau addresses:
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Horta Museum
The Horta Museum is housed in the private home and workshop of the architect Victor Horta
(1861-1947).
Rue Américaine 25, 1060 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 543 04 90
www.hortamuseum.be
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Hotel Winssinger- Galerie Paris-Beijing
Built by Victor Horta in 1897, the gallery is today on a quest to discover and promote a new
generation of Asian photographers.
Rue de l’Hôtel des Monnaies 66, 1060 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 851 04 13
www.galerieparisbeijing.be
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Maison Autrique
The first townhouse designed by Victor Horta in 1893.
Chaussée de Haecht 266, 1030 Brussels
T. : + 32 (0) 2 215 66 09
www.autrique.be
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Musical Instruments Museum (MIM)
This sublime museum has taken over the former Art Nouveau buildings of the Old England
stores and boasts one of the largest collections of instruments in the world.
Rue Montagne de la Cour 2, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 545 01 30
www.mim.be
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Some unmissable Art Deco addresses:
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Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Koekelberg
The fifth largest church in the world and the largest Art Deco building ever constructed.
Parvis de la Basilique 1, 1081 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 421 16 60
www.basilicakoekelberg.be
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David and Alice Van Buuren Museum and Garden
A private home designed in Art Deco style, the Museum houses a collection of paintings and
sculptures dating from the 15th to the 20th century.
Avenue Léo Errera 41, 1180 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 343 48 51
www.museumvanbuuren.be
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Flagey
This Art Deco building, located at the southern end of the square, is today home to a cultural
centre.
Place Sainte-Croix, 1050 Brussels
www.flagey.be
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Villa Empain
With its Art Deco style, the Villa Empain aims to serve as a centre of creation and dialogue
between the East and West in Brussels.
Avenue F.Roosevelt 67, 1050 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 627 52 30
www.villaempain.com
An unmissable event:
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Art Nouveau and Art Deco Biennale - 03.10.2015-01.11.2015
Every weekend in October is given over to the discovery of the capital's various Art Nouveau
and Art Deco sites.
www.biennale-art-nouveau.be
"Art Nouveau/Art Deco" mini map
Two walks enable visitors to discover the splendid architectural styles on view in the capital.
Available in French, Dutch, English and German at information offices and from the visit.brussels
website.
Themed pack on Art Deco and Art Nouveau in Brussels: here or in the "press/maps & brochures"
section on the visit.brussels website.
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Europe and its neighbourhood
Brussels is the capital for 500 million Europeans. Synonymous with bureaucracy and complexity, it's
not easy to look at Europe in a new way. However, when visiting the European district in Brussels,
the word "Europe" takes on a completely different meaning. The European institutions employ over
40,000 people from the 28 member countries of the European Union. The European quarter is a
place to discover a diversity of cultures, with surprises around every corner, greenery dotted about
here and there in unlikely places, and many cosmopolitan terrace cafes.
Some unmissable addresses:
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Autoworld
This museum can be considered as one of the most prestigious of its kind in Europe, if not in
the world (around 400 vehicles, all in working order). It takes visitors through the history of
the automobile, from 1886 to the 1970s.
Parc du cinquantenaire 11, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 736 41 65
www.autoworld.be
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Natural Sciences Museum
The masterpieces of this exceptional museum are the Bernissart iguanodons. Fantastic
temporary exhibitions are put on every year.
Rue Vautier 29, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 627 42 11
www.sciencesnaturelles.be
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Parlamentarium
The visitor centre of the European Parliament.
Rue Wiertz 60, 1047 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 284 21 11
www.europarl.europa.eu
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Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History
The museum has brought together around one hundred thousand exhibits (documents,
uniforms, weapons, models, statues) making it one of the biggest military museums in the
world.
Parc du Cinquantenaire 3, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 737 78 33
www.klm-mra.be
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Royal Museums of Art and History (Cinquantenaire Museum)
From national archaeology to European decorative arts, from classical Antiquity to nonEuropean civilisations, this museum takes visitors on a fascinating journey through art and
history in an awe-inspiring building, created by Leopold II in the Parc du Cinquantenaire.
Parc du Cinquantenaire 10, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 741 72 11
www.kmkg-mrah.be
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The House of European History (opening end of 2015)
The permanent exhibition in this museum will focus mainly on 20th-century European history
and the history of European integration.
Parc Léopold, 1000 Brussels
www.europarl.europa.eu
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Wiertz Museum
The Wiertz Museum is an invitation to enter into the particular universe of Antoine Wiertz, a
personality of the Belgian Romantic Movement. This temple-workshop houses a collection of
his paintings, drawings and sculptures that betray the influence of the grand masters such as
Rubens, Michael-Angelo or Raphael.
Rue Vautier 62, 1050 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 648 17 18
www.fine-arts-museums.be
"visit.brussels-sized for Europe" mini map
The European quarter is the result of a rich mix of 27 different cultures. This multicultural aspect of
Brussels offers surprises round every corner. Available in French/English, Dutch/German and
Spanish/Italian from information offices and from the visit.brussels website.
Themed pack “Brussels, Capital of Europe”: here or in the "press/maps & brochures" section on
the visit.brussels website.
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Fashion, design & luxury goods
In Brussels, creativity reflects the city's way of life: inventive, and even extravagant. All of this is true
of Brussels fashion, which is of high quality and produces timeless collections. The architects of
Brussels design keep pushing the boundaries of inventiveness further and further, mingling unlikely
materials. But the capital is much more than a crossroads of creative influences: we also know how
to keep things secret and exclusive, timidly unveiling the extent of the talent in Brussels – people
who nevertheless export their goods all over the world.
The designers in vogue can be found in the Dansaert district, top-end luxury goods in the Louise
district, which used to be occupied by the bourgeoisie, and the vintage district par excellence is
hidden away in the Marolles!
Some unmissable addresses in the Dansaert district:
 Annemie Verbeke
Women's fashion
Rue Antoine Dansaert 64, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 646 13 25
www.annemieverbeke.be
 Carine Gilson
Luxury lingerie
Rue Antoine Dansaert 87, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 523 24 28
www.carinegilson.com
 Conni Kaminski
Women's fashion
Rue du Marche au Charbon 102, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0)2 502 51 55
www.connikaminski.com
 Espace Bizarre
Contemporary designer furniture
Rue des Chartreux 19, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 514 52 56
www.espacebizarre.com
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 Johanne Riss
Wedding and evening dresses
Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains 35, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 513 09 00
www.johanneriss.com
 Kartell
Contemporary designer furniture
Rue Antoine Dansaert 2, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 514 79 45
www.dcorner.be
 Martin Margiela
Men and women's fashion
Rue de Flandre 114, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 223 75 20
www.maisonmartinmargiela.com
 Valérie Berckmans – women's fashion
Rue Van Artevelde 8, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 502 94 00
www.valerieberckmans.be
Some unmissable addresses in the Louise district:
 Degand
Suits and accessories
Avenue Louise 415, 1050 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 649 00 73
www.degand.be
 Delvaux
Luxury leather goods
Boulevard de Waterloo 27, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 513 05 02
Galerie de la Reine 31, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0)2 512 71 98
www.delvaux.com
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 Dominique Rigo
Contemporary designer furniture
Avenue Louise 154, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 538 00 15
www.dominiquerigo.be
 Isabelle Baines
Men's and women's fashion
Rue de la Longue Haie 4, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 479 44 14
www.isabellebaines.com
 Lilù handbags
Leather goods
Rue du Bailli 9, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 511 27 73
www.lilu.be
 NATAN
Women's fashion
Avenue Louise 158, 1050 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 647 10 01
www.natan.be
 Sabine Herman
Jewellery
Rue Faider 86, 1050 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 640 72 53
www.sabineherman.be
Some unmissable addresses in the Marolles district:
 Christa Reniers
Jewellery
Rue Lebeau 61, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 514 91 54
www.christareniers.com
 Elvis Pompilio
Milliner
Rue du Lombard, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 347 28 85
www.elvispompilio.com
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 Jean Paul Knott
Women's fashion
Rue Lebeau 57, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 511 66 56
www.jeanpaulknott.com
 Marché aux Puces
Flea market
Place du Jeu de Balles, 1000 Brussels
Open every day from 06.00 to 14.00.
 Melting pot: vintage au kilo
Vintage
Rue Haute 178, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 476 95 88 72
www.facebook.com/MeltingPotKilo
 Passé-Passion
Vintage toys
Place du Jeu de Balle 53, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 475 93 91 84
www.passe-passion.com
 Stefanantiek
Vintage furniture
Place de la Chapelle, 1000 Brussels & Rue Blaes 63, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 494 100 589
www.stefanantiek.com
Some unmissable events:

Brussels Vintage Market
On the first Sunday of every month, the Brussels Vintage Market comes to the Halles SaintGéry.
Place Saint Géry, 1000 Brussels
www.brusselsvintagemarket.be
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
Mad Brussels, Mode and Design Center
A joint initiative between Europe, the Brussels-Capital Region and the City of Brussels, Mad
Brussels is a centre that looks set to become a reference in Brussels for Fashion and Design
professionals. Its ambition is to encourage knowledge and know-how of the sector and to
promote fashion and design made in Brussels.
o
Madifesto - 04.06.2015-09.06.2015
MADIFESTO is a festival dedicated to fashion and related crafts organised by
MAD Brussels – the Brussels Centre for Fashion and Design.
www.madbrussels.be
o
« This is not a fashion week but a fashion month » – October/November
2015
A string of events linked to fashion organised in October/November.

Parcours Mode October 2015
Over four days, fashion lovers will get the chance to discover new
collections and go to evening events, performances, pop-up catwalk
shows, concerts and soirées.
www.madbrussels.be

Brussels Fashion Days - October 2015
10,000 m² entirely dedicated to fashion is ready for enthusiasts in
October 2015, when a full panorama of Belgian fashion will be on
show.
www.brusselsfashiondays.be
"visit.brussels-sized for Fashion & Design" mini map
While the talented designers of Brussels export their wares across the globe, new trendy places, on
the cutting edge of originality and creativity, are continuously popping up across the capital.
Available in English from information offices and from the visit.brussels website.
"visit.brussels-sized for Exclusivity" mini map
Over 70 places from among the most prestigious in the capital have made expertise, tradition and
creativity their way of life. The subjects presented in this mini map are extremely diverse, ranging
from leather goods to jewellery, art, gastronomy, fashion and services. Available in English from
information offices and from the visit.brussels website.
20
Surrealism
As a reaction to their predecessors, who only made neo-something art, the artists of the 1940s
created a movement that defied all conventions: Surrealism. It was a revolution that questioned
everything… Not just painting and literature, but also the way of life at the time, as their works
demonstrate. This state of mind was quickly adopted by the artists of Brussels, who were already
natural rebels with a love of derision; even now, Surrealism can be found around every corner.
Some unmissable addresses:

Ixelles Museum
Ixelles Museum has amassed 14,000 paintings, sculptures, engravings and drawings from the
19th and 20th centuries. Belgian art is given pride of place.
Rue Jean Van Volsem 71, 1050 Brussels (Ixelles)
T. : +32 (0) 2 515 64 22
www.museumofixelles.be

La Fleur en Papier Doré - Het Goudblommeke in Papier
A cafe that was a favourite haunt of the figureheads of 20th century Belgian surrealism: René
Magritte, Louis Scutenaire, Marcel Mariën... The café remains an artistic and literary hub
today.
Rue des Alexiens 53-55, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 511 16 59
www.lafleurenpapierdore.be

Musée Magritte Museum
Located in the heart of Brussels, the Magritte Museum presents an outstanding collection of
more than 200 works by the Belgian Surrealist artist René Magritte. This rich collection is the
largest in the world.
Place Royale 1 (entrance on the rue de la Régence, no. 3, in the Museum of Fine Arts complex), 1000
Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 508 32 11
www.musee-magritte-museum.be

René Magritte House
The René Magritte museum is installed in the house where the famous surrealist painter
lived for twenty-four years. This living environment, recreated with authentic furniture,
inspired Magritte in his work.
Rue Esseghem 135, 1090 Brussels (Jette)
T. : +32 (0) 2 428 26 26
www.magrittemuseum.be
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"Surrealism in Brussels" mini map
Brussels has managed to preserve the influence of one of the most surprising art movements of the
20th century: Surrealism. Explore the capital in the footsteps of Magritte and his Surrealist group
friends in Brussels. Available in French/English and Dutch/German from information offices and from
the visit.brussels website.
Themed pack on Surrealism in Brussels: here or in the "press/maps & brochures" section on the
visit.brussels website.
Gastronomy
Brussels gastronomy has a long history with deep-rooted traditions, quality produce and bold
flavours. The other characteristic of Brussels gastronomy is its incredible mix of cultures. Italian,
Spanish, Irish and Portuguese food is on the menu. Or more exotic cuisine from Asia or Africa. There
is plenty of choice with all the restaurants serving the cuisines of different nations. Like everyday life
in Brussels, the food is a palette of many colours.
However, there are three specialities that stand out and give Brussels the feel of a city where the joy
of food is a celebration of the joy of life:
Chocolate is undoubtedly the best-known and most-exported gourmet product. Neatly arranged in
ballotin boxes, pralines (invented in Brussels) are true jewels.
Beer is the favourite beverage of the people of Brussels and its visitors. From casks or bottles, it flows
by the gallon. It may be natural or perfumed, simple or sophisticated.
Frites stalls, also called friteries, or fritkots in Brussels parlance, fill street corners, squares and fairs
with their delicious smell.
Some places for lovers of chocolate:

Artisans in the centre of Brussels who are maintaining Belgium's reputation for chocolate
Frédéric Blondeel (Quai aux Briques 24), Godiva (Grand’Place 21), Laurent Gerbaud (Rue
Ravenstein 2d), Mary (Galerie de la Reine 36), Neuhaus (Galerie de la Reine 25), Pierre
Marcolini (Rue des Minimes 1), Wittamer (Place du Grand Sablon, 12) Zaäbar (Ch. de
Charleroi 125) and more.
22

Belgian Chocolate Village
The Belgian Chocolate Village has opened on the site of the former Victoria chocolate and
biscuit factory. Located close to Koekelberg Basilica, it has thus become the biggest museum
in Belgium dedicated to chocolate (900 m²).
Rue de Neck 20-22, 1081 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 420 70 76
www.belgianchocolatevillage.be

Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate
Brussels’ Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate showcases chocolate and cocoa products in all
their forms and traces back the history of these products in Belgium and elsewhere.
Rue de la Tête d’Or 9-11, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 514 20 48
www.mucc.be
Some places for lovers of beer:

Belgian Brewers Museum
Visitors can take a look back at some of the brewing equipment used in the 18th century and
discover the future of brewing at the new hi-tech brewery centre.
Grand’Place 10, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 511 49 87
www.beerparadise.be

Cantillon Brewery and Museum
A family of traditional brewers gives visitors an insight into the making of Gueuze-Lambic, a
mysterious beer and fruit of spontaneous fermentation, within its authentic brewery.
Rue Gheude 56, 1070 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 521 49 28
www.cantillon.be

Schaerbeekois Belgian Beer Museum
The museums offers the public an attractive and original take on beer-making in Belgium.
Av. Louis Bertrand 33-35, 1030 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 241 56 27
www.users.skynet.be/museedelabiere

Some top-notch bars and cafés
Bier Circus (rue de l’Enseignement 57), Délirium Café (impasse de la Fidélité 4a), Moeder
Lambik (place Fontainas 8), Poechenellekelder (rue du Chêne 5), and more.
23
Some unmissable events:

Brussels Chocolate Fair - 06.02.2015-08.02.2015
This fair brings chocolatiers and chocolate lovers together.
http://brussels.salon-du-chocolat.com

Beer Weekend - 04.09.2015-06.09.2015
The Grand’Place is the backdrop for tasting the best beers in the country for a whole
weekend.
www.belgianbrewers.be

Eat! Brussels - 10.09.2015-13.09.2015
The Eat! Brussels Festival is symbolic of the variety on offer in the restaurants of Brussels,
with an abundance of gastronomic discoveries from all four corners of the globe.
www.eatbrussels.be

Tram Experience – Season 3 until 12.07.2015 - Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
and weekend (reservation compulsory)
A trip on board a tram that has been transformed into a gastronomic design restaurant,
serving a three-course meal created by its chefs.
Starting point : Place Poelaert, 1000 Brussels / Tram Museum, 1150 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 549 50 14
www.tramexperience.be
"visit.brussels - Brussels on draught" mini map
"Brussels on draught" shows why Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is also the capital of beer. Two
different walks take the visitors to the best bars, cafés and restaurants for tasting local beers. The
region's brewing history is also explained in it. Available in French, Dutch, English and German at
information offices and from the visit.brussels website.
"visit.brussels - sized for sweet tooth" mini map
Alongside the patisserie specialities of the region, the artisans of Brussels have also developed a
savoir-faire par excellence when it comes to chocolate and other sweet delicacies. Available in
French/English and Dutch/German from information offices and from the visit.brussels website.
24
"visit.brussels - sized for gourmets" mini map
Tastes and colours are very subjective but there are some restaurants that gourmets are unanimous
about. This map shows the best in Brussels gastronomy: Michelin-starred restaurants, foods of the
world, local specialities, markets, etc. Available in French, Dutch, English and German at information
offices and from the visit.brussels website.
Themed packs on gastronomy (here), on chocolate (here) and on beer (here) or in the "press/maps
& brochures" section on the visit.brussels website.
Brussels, Capital of Comic Strips
Brussels is the place where many legendary comic book characters were born or grew up. Tintin,
Spirou, Gaston Lagaffe, Marsupilami, Blake and Mortimer, Boule et Bill, Lucky Luke and the Smurfs,
but also XIII, Largo Winch, Le Chat and many others. They've grown up under the pens of their
masters and have long since jumped out of their sometimes too narrow boxes and onto cinema
screens. They appear life-sized on the façades of buildings, tell their stories at the Belgian Comics
Art Museum and the MOOF Museum, are exhibited and are even sold in a host of specialist
bookshops-cum-galleries. In Brussels we live, eat and sleep comic strips!
Some unmissable addresses:

Comics Art Museum
Set in a magnificent Art Nouveau building, this museum is a reference in the Comic Strip
world and a Mecca for fans.
Rue des Sables 20, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 219 19 80
www.comicscenter.net/

Comic strip walk
Some 50 comic strip murals and statues to be discovered all over the region. This walk is
constantly changing, with several new murals added every year.

Marc Sleen Museum
Marc Sleen is the author of the 270 albums of the Adventures of Nibbs, which exude a
passion for the city of Brussels.
Rue des Sables 33-35, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 219 19 80
www.marc-sleen.be
25

MOOF-Museum of Original Figurines
A shrine to the 9th art, this Figurines museum is earmarked at all audiences, young and old
and offers something to satisfy both curious passers-by and fervent comic book collectors.
Rue du Marché-aux-Herbes 116, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 207 79 92
www.moofmuseum.be
An unmissable event:

Comic Strip Festival - 04.09.2015-06.09.2015
Three days dedicated to comic strips, with a multitude of activities: the Balloon’s Day Parade,
exhibitions, dedications, the Tintin Magazine Rally, and more.
www.fetedelabd.be
“visit.brussels – Brussels, Capital city of Comic Strip" mini map
Tintin, Asterix, Blake and Mortimer, Bob et Bobette (Spike and Suzy/Willy and Wanda) and Lucky
Luke reveal themselves along a walk that takes visitors to the capital's comic strip murals. Available
in French, Dutch, English and German at information offices and from the visit.brussels website.
"visit.brussels – Tintin in Brussels" mini map
Brussels is the city of Tintin. Many children have grown up devouring the adventures of the bequiffed
reporter and intrepid globetrotter. Discover the world of Tintin and his creator, Hergé, along a walk
through the centre of Brussels. Available in French, Dutch, English, German and Spanish at
information offices and from the visit.brussels website.
"visit.brussels – sized for Marc Sleen" mini map
Marc Sleen, the author of the 270 albums telling the Adventures of Nero, is in the Guinness Book of
World Records for this series of hand-drawn homages to beautiful Brussels. Discover Brussels
through the eyes of this talented author. Available in French and Dutch from information offices and
from the visit.brussels website.
The themed pack on comic strips in Brussels can be downloaded here or from the "press/maps &
brochures" section of the visit.brussels website.
26
Sport in Brussels
The sporting CV of the Brussels Capital Region includes some prestigious names, like Eddy Merckx,
Jacky Ickx and the Borlée brothers, but also some major events like the Memorial Van Damme, which
gets 40,000 spectators wild with excitement at the King Baudouin Stadium in Heysel every summer.
Some unique sporting locations:

King Baudouin Stadium
The biggest stadium in Belgium with 50,000 seats (guided tours available).
Avenue de Marathon 135, 1020 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 474 39 43 (for guided tours)
www.prosportevent.be

Némo 33
One of the world's deepest diving pools.
Rue de Stalle 333, 1180 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 332 33 34
www.nemo33.com

Yeti ski
Artificial ski slope.
Drève Olympique 11, 1070 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 520 77 57
www.yetiski.be
Some unmissable events:

Memorial Van Damme - 11.09.2015
Final of the Diamond League athletics championship.
www.memorialvandamme.be

Brussels Marathon - 04.10.2015
One of the prettiest racetracks in Europe right in the heart of the capital, starting at the Parc
du Cinquantenaire and finishing on the Place de Brouckère.
www.brusselsmarathon.be
"visit.brussels-sized for Sports" mini map
Brussels offers visitors the opportunity to get out and expend some energy, with jogging routes,
swimming pools, golf, fitness clubs and many other sporting activities for all. Available in English from
information offices and from the visit.brussels website.
27
Brussels, a green city
With over 28 m² of green space per inhabitant, Brussels is the greenest capital in Europe. It offers a
huge array of greenery: historic parks, small inviting squares and wide shady avenues… not forgetting
the city gardens at the heart of almost every housing estate. A superb 63-km green belt invites
visitors to tour the region and enjoy its many preserved green spaces (www.promenade-verte.be).
Some unmissable green spaces:

Brussels Park
1000 Brussels

Cinquantenaire Park
1000 Brussels

Jean-Felix Hap Garden
1040 Brussels (located between the Chaussée de Wavre, the rue Louis-Hap, the avenue d'Auderghem
and the rue Fétis)

La Cambre Abbey
Avenue Emile Duray, 1000 Brussels

La Cambre Wood
1000 Brussels

Léopold Park
1000 Brussels

Royal Greenhouses of Laeken – open from 25.04.2015 – 03.05.2014 except for Mondays
Created under the reign of Leopold II and the work of the architect Balat, this luminous steelcircled glass environment houses impressive collections of flora.
Avenue du Parc Royal, 1040 Brussels
"Brussels Green" mini map
Brussels is one of the greenest capitals in Europe with 27 m² of nature per inhabitant: parks, treelined avenues, woods and forests delight young and old alike. Available in French/English and
Dutch/German from the information offices.
The themed pack on Brussels, sustainable destination, can be downloaded here or from the
"press/maps & brochures" section of the visit.brussels website.
28
Jazz in Brussels
Brussels has long attracted all the great names in jazz: there must be something in the city's DNA that
suits the wildest of improvisations and has given rise to a long love affair with the genre. The
Alhambra, the Hot Club, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Django Reinhardt: some of the great places
and stars who have given Brussels an international reputation.
These days, clubs, cafés, alternative stages and festivals still give pride of place to jazz, which is still
very much alive and well. Brussels has some great ambassadors, including Toots Thielemans, Philippe
Catherine and Aka Moon, as well as a whole new generation of talented jazz musicians.
Some unmissable addresses:

Archiduc
A bar that is an institution of Brussels’ nightlife. Jazz concerts are regularly organised.
Rue Antoine Dansaert 6, 1000 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0)2 512 06 52
www.archiduc.net

Jazz Station
Located in a fully-renovated old station in Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode, the Jazz Station lives and
breathes jazz. The centre defines itself as a meeting place for artistic souls where musicians
can meet up, of course, but also rub shoulders with painters, photographers, sculptors,
journalists, etc.
Chaussée de Louvain 193a, 1210 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0)2 733 13 78
www.jazzstation.be

Marni Club
Every first Tuesday of the month, the bar of the Théâtre Marni turns into a club and puts on a
jazz concert in a great atmosphere.
Rue de Vergnies 25, 1050 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0)2 639 09 82
www.theatremarni.be

Sounds Jazz Club
One of Brussels’ jazz institutions. Jazz concerts are programmed every day except for
Sundays.
Rue de la Tulipe 28, 1050 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0)2 512 92 50
www.soundsjazzclub.be
29

The Music Village
A stone’s throw away from the Grand-Place, the Music Village recreates the mood of
Brussels’ former great jazz clubs. Concerts all week featuring some big Belgian and
international names.
Rue des Pierres 50, 1000 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0)2 513 13 45
www.themusicvillage.com
Some unmissable events:

Brussels Jazz Festival - 13.01.2015-24.01.2015
A top-class programme featuring big stars alongside new talents.
www.flagey.be

Brussels Jazz Marathon - 22.05.2015-24.05.2015
For a whole weekend, Brussels will become the capital of jazz, with concerts all over the
region.
www.brusselsjazzmarathon.be

Brosella - 11.07.2015-12.07.2015
Jazz festival in the Théâtre de Verdure in Osseghem Park.
www.brosella.be
”visit.brussels - sized for jazz” mini map
One thing's for sure: Brussels has had a long love affair with jazz over successive generations. This
mini map allows visitors to explore the Brussels jazz scene.
Available in French/English and Dutch/German from information offices and from the visit.brussels
website.
The themed pack on Jazz in Brussels can be downloaded here or from the "press/maps &
brochures" section of the visit.brussels website.
30
Contemporary art
For many years now, contemporary art galleries have been cropping up all over Brussels. The biggest
international galleries are now well established here, and this enthusiasm for art is now an integral
part of the cultural and social life of Brussels, resulting in numerous public and private initiatives.
Brussels has become the perfect place for ideas, and the production and promotion of the most
diverse works of art, to coexist.
Some unmissable addresses:

Centrale for contemporary art
This semi-industrial building of 1000 m² was the City’s first electric power station. Today, this
contemporary art centre sets out to be a powerhouse behind a Brussels identity with an
international vibe thanks to a diverse events programme.
Place Ste-Catherine 44, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0)2 279 64 35
www.centrale-art.be

Vanhaerents Art Collection – Only on appointment
The Vanhaerents Art Collection is a family-owned contemporary art collection that gives a
deep insight into artistic currents from the end of the 70s until today.
Rue Anneessens 29, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 511 50 77
www.vanhaerentsartcollection.com

Wiels-Contemporary Art Centre
At the heart of Europe, thanks to its international dimension, its specific objectives and the
remarkable architecture of the building that houses it, the WIELS is a unique European
contemporary art institution.
Avenue Van Volxem 354, 1190 Brussels
T. : +32 (0)2 340 00 53
www.wiels.org
Some unmissable events:

Art Brussels - 25.04.2015-27.04.2015
Over 150 contemporary art galleries under one roof exhibiting their well-known and
emerging artists.
www.artbrussels.be
31

Brussels Art Days – 11.09.2015 - 13.09.2015
The Brussels gallery weekend, the start of the new contemporary art season.
www.brusselsartdays.com
"visit.brussels-sized for contemporary art” mini map
Brussels is home to an increasing number of promising young artists. With a mix of trends and
influences, the galleries and studios have some impressive selections.
Available in English from information offices and from the visit.brussels website.
The themed pack on contemporary art in Brussels (galleries, artworks, etc.) can be downloaded
here or from the "press/maps & brochures" section of the visit.brussels website.
32
5. Brussels for every taste: targets
Family getaways
Special shared moments offered in the centre and all over Brussels, with over 30 activities, museums
and attractions. Cultural, original, guided, interactive, indoors and outdoors, all of these places are
easily accessible by public transport.
Some unmissable addresses:

Brussels Mill and Food Museum
The museum is housed in a former windmill. Every year it organises a temporary exhibition
around the theme of food.
Rue du Moulin à Vent 21, 1140 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 245 37 79
www.moulindevere.be

Children's Museum
In this place where learning is fun, there is no computer or video game but scenery, wooden
toys and role plays that allow children to not only discover and learn something about
themselves but also about the world around them.
Rue du Bourgmestre 15, 1050 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 640 01 07
www.museedesenfants.be

experience Brussels !
An exhibition offering an interactive display and an astonishing design to (re)discover
Brussels.
BIP-Brussels Info Place, rue royale 2/4, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 563 61 11
www.biponline.be

Halle Gate
This monument, which dates back more than 600 years, stands as the most remarkable
witness of the city’s medieval past. Today, it houses permanent collections devoted to life in
Brussels during the Middle Ages.
Boulevard du Midi 150, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 534 15 18
www.kmkg-mrah.be
33

Toy Museum
A magical place where 25,000 toys dating as far back as 1850 illustrate all facets of play and
childhood objects.
Rue de l’association 24, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 219 61 68
www.museedujouet.eu
"visit.brussels - sized for kids" mini map
The museums and attractions in Brussels are full of activities for families and children, making culture
more fun. Brussels is accessible to all, via journeys of discovery, enchanting stories, treasure hunts,
workshops and many other mysterious adventures. Available in French/English and Dutch/German
from information offices and from the visit.brussels website.
The themed pack on "kid-friendly" activities in Brussels can be downloaded here or from the
"press/maps & brochures" section of the visit.brussels website.
Gay friendly
Gay Brussels is all about a spirit of freedom, non-discriminatory legislation and a wide offer of varied
activity in terms of nightlife, gastronomy, shopping and culture. Situated in the centre of a virtual
rectangle linking Amsterdam, Cologne, Paris and London, Brussels is synonymous with joie de vivre
and multiculturalism.
The gay scene in Brussels is discreet, varied and welcoming. The capital's gay centre is in the SaintJacques district, near the Grand-Place. But the whole region is cosmopolitan, open-minded and
tolerant, with people who love to party and speak lots of languages.
Some unmissable addresses:

Chez Maman
Brussels’ most famous transvestite show.
Rue des Grands Carmes 7, 1000 Brussels
www.chezmaman.be

Dolores
A comfortable little bar with a trendy clientele.
Rue du Marché-au-Charbon 40, 1000 Brussels
T.: +32 (0) 2 324 91 40
34

Le Baroque
Bear bar.
Rue du Marché-au-Charbon 44, 1000 Brussels
www.barlebaroque.be

Le Belgica
A legendary bar that is worth a visit. Famous DJs play sets on Fridays and Saturdays.
Rue du Marché-au-Charbon 32, 1000 Brussels
www.lebelgica.be

Le Fontainas
Gay-friendly bar with a great terrace.
Rue du Marché-au-Charbon 91, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 503 31 12

Stamm Bar
A new gay “cruising bar” that holds temporary exhibitions.
Rue du Marché-au-Charbon 114, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 502 58 00
http://stammbar.be
Some unmissable events:

La Démence
This club night is held once a month, attracting mostly men from all corners of the globe.
www.lademence.com

Pink Screens Festival - 05.11.2015-14.11.2015
A program exploring gender and sexuality.
www.pinkscreens.org

PrideFestival – 01.05.2015 - 17.05.2015
Party and parade celebrating the LGBT community and diversity.
www.thepride.be
o
BePride
The Brussels Gay Pride is coming in 3 days:
 Gender@Pride – 14.05.2015
Focus on gender identities
 Pride@TheCity – 15.05.2015
Party in the street of Brussels
 Parade@Pride – 16.05.2015
Famous parade opening of the European season of the gay prides
35
"visit.brussels-sized for you" mini map
The trendy and gay-friendly places in Brussels feature on this mini map dedicated to the nightlife,
culture and activities enjoyed by the LGBT community. Available in English from information offices
and from the visit.brussels website.
The themed pack on gay-friendly activities in Brussels can be downloaded here or from the
"press/maps & brochures section of the visit.brussels website.
Going out with friends
When the offices close and the conference rooms empty, another life begins: there are some who go
home… and others who go out. That's the time to explore the soul of Brussels, to soak in its
cosmopolitan atmosphere and experience its cultural differences. Here, in just a few paces, visitors
can switch from one ambience to another – from exotic to trendy, from lounge to swanky, to places
for lovers of music and food.
Casino

VIAGE
Boulevard Anspach 30, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 300 01 00
www.viage.be
Clubs

Beursschouwburg
Auguste Ortsstraat, 1000 Brussel
T. : +32 (0) 2 550 03 50
http://www.beursschouwburg.be/fr/

Bloody Louis
Galerie Louise (lower ground level), 1050 Brussels
www.bloodylouis.be

Fuse
Rue Blaes 208, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 511 97 89
www.fuse.be
36

Madame Moustache
Quai au Bois à Brûler 5, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 489 10 05 11
www.madamemoustache.be

Mirano Continental
Chaussée de Louvain 38, 1210 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 227 39 42
www.mirano.be

The Wood
Avenue de Flore 3-4, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 741 63 20
www.thewood.be

You
Rue Duquesnoy 18, 1000 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 639 14 00
www.leyou.be
The unmissable New Year’s Eve event:

happy.brussels
happy.brussels is a free entrance pass to all major Clubs & Parties for New Year's Eve in
Brussels. Moreover, it includes free entrances to typical tourist attractions and coupons in
fashion stores and selected bars in the Capital of Europe.
http://www.happybrussels.com/
37
6. Coming soon
Attractions

Plasticarium – Art & Design Atomium Museum – December 2015
Located at one of Brussels’ major tourism attractions, this new museum puts the spotlight on
the glorious years of plastic, alongside art and design from the 20th and 21st centuries. The
Plasticarium - Art & Design Atomium Museum will be spread over 5,000 m², almost half of
which will be devoted to a permanent exhibition of the collection of Philipe Decelle.
Started in the 1980s, this striking collection, the only one of its kind in the world, brings
together several hundreds of plastic objects ranging from the most commonplace to the
work of art. As the space cannot hold all of the pieces, exhibits will be changed every year,
offering new discoveries with each visit, an incentive to come back time and again.
Square de l'Atomium, 1020 Brussels
T. : +32 (0) 2 475 47 75
www.plasticarium.be

The House of European History - Autumn 2015
The permanent exhibition in this museum will focus mainly on 20th-century European history
and the history of European integration, based on the very different experiences that
Europeans have known. The House of European History aims to convey a transnational
overview of European history, taking into account its diverse nature and its many
interpretations.
Parc Léopold, Eastman building, 1000 Brussels
www.europarl.europa.eu/visiting/fr/visits/historyhouse.html

Train World – End of 2015
The first railway line in continental Europe was built in 1835 and linked Brussels with
Mechelen. But up to now, there was nothing much to celebrate this great innovation, so it
was time to fill that gap. Train World will be Brussels's railway museum and will be anything
but traditional! Thanks to the imagination of designer François Schuiten, it will be more like a
railway opera. Architecture and scenography will shine the spotlight on the various aspects
of this sector, which is rooted in both travel and transport: the passenger, the infrastructure,
the change in rolling stock from the past to now and to the future, sustainable development
and even utopias.
www.trainworld.be
Events
All the events for 2015 are included in a brochure that can be downloaded here or from the
"press/maps & brochures" section of the visit.brussels website.
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7. More about visit.brussels
visit.brussels is the communications agency for tourism in the Brussels-Capital Region; its aim is to
promote and strengthen the image of the capital of 500 million Europeans.
The visit.brussels agencies

visit.brussels – Brussels Info Place (BIP)
From Monday to Friday from 9 am. to 6 pm.
Weekend & public holidays from 10 am. to 6 pm.
Closed on : 25/12 & 1/1
Rue Royale 2, 1000 Brussels
T. : + 32 (0)2 513 89 40

visit.brussels – Brussels Town Hall
Every day: from 9 am. to 6 pm.
Closed on : 25/12 & 1/1
Grand-Place, 1000 Brussels
Tél. + 32 (0)2 513 89 40

visit.brussels –Midi Station, central hall (till 31.01.2015)
Every day: from 9 am. To 6 pm.
Closed on : 25/12
Gare de Bruxelles-Midi
1060 Brussels

visit.brussels – European parliament (not available for the public)
Monday: 1 pm. – 5pm.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9 am. – 5 pm.;
Friday: 9 am. to noon
Closed on : 25/12 & 1/1
Rue Wiertz 43 , building P.- A. Spinelli
1000 Brussels
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The www.visit.brussels website
The official site for tourism in Brussels, which presents the ambitions of visit.brussels and its
promotional strategy: nearly 50,000 pages, large-scale photos and videos included: The biggest
database of Brussels on the Web
Consultation based on:

You are (one of our target groups): tourists, business people, the travel sector or media
persons

You love (the experiences that fit you best) shopping shrewdly / immersing yourself in
culture / a little romanticism / feeling super trendy / family-kids adventure / gay / indulging
in good food… in an infinite number of variations and themes easy for visitors to use to
prepare their stay with complete confidence by looking up the opinions and
recommendations posted on the Web and sharing their experiences

Trip planner for city breaks

Meeting planner for business meetings

A high-definition royalty-free photo library

A hotel booking system

The whole range of culture on offer

E-shop to purchase our brochures, the Brussels Card and the MP3 of a guided tour

Box office: on-line ticketing system for events, exhibitions and shows

Arsène50: shows and events at half price, the same day from midday onwards
MOBILE APPLICATION

Mobile application: The whole of Brussels on smartphones!
A 100% off -line application and free of charge (including map) for finding all the best places
and useful functionalities such as “around me” thanks to the GPS function.
Available on App Store and Google Play
www.visitbrussels.be/apps
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The visit.brussels publications
visit.brussels publishes various tourist and information brochures for visitors every year. These are
on sale at information offices or from the visit.brussels website.

This is Brussels
For visitors to see and experience the highlights of Brussels: its key assets, its districts and
their atmospheres, its major events, lots of useful addresses and a programme tailored to the
duration of their stay.

Mini maps
Brussels has a thousand and one facets. They can be discovered via the themed mini maps.
There are some 20 itineraries for visitors to take advantage of every aspect of the region.
Available in several languages from the information offices.

Brussels Card
The Brussels Card is a great way of visiting Brussels without breaking the bank. As well as free
use of public transport (STIB), the Brussels Card also gives visitors free access to some 30
museums in Brussels. There are also numerous discounts off all sorts of other wonderful
tourist attractions, shops, bars and restaurants.
www.brusselscard.be
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visit.brussels for journalists

Themed pack
Need to learn more about a particular theme? The press section of the visit.brussels website
allows downloading some very comprehensive packs about the various identities of Brussels.
o
« Brussels for kids »
o
« Brussels on draught »
o
« Brussels sustainable destination »
o
« Brussels for chocolate lovers »
o
« Surrealist Brussels »
o
« Brussels, the capital of Europe»
o
« Brussels, the capital city of Comic strip »
o
« Contemporary art in Brussels »
o
« Gay-Friendly Brussels »
o
« Jazz in Brussels»
o
« The First World War Commemoration in the Brussels-Capital Region »
o
« Sized for Art-Nouveau »
o
« Sized for Tourism & Congress »
o
Soon online : « Brussels, fashion and design »
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8. Brussels’ responsible commitments
Brussels is committing itself because sustainable tourism has become an economic, social and
environmental priority …

Promoting establishments that stand out thanks to the quality of their environmental
management (Ecolabels, environmental certifications)

The adoption of the “Green Key” quality mark award for accommodation and meeting
rooms
www.greenkey-brussels.be
www.cleverte.be

Attention given to the participatory tourism of the greeters, inhabitants who are
passionate about their city or their region and eager to share it with visitors during an
unusual and memorable visit.
www.brusselsgreeters.be

A city that’s accessible for people with reduced mobility
www.brusselsforall.be
www.visitbrussels.be/pmr

A Regional Plan for Sustainable Development
www.prdd.be

Subscribing to the Agenda 21 recommendations
Region: www.agendairis21.be
City: http://agenda21.bruxelles.be

Brussels is ranked as the leading sustainable city in Europe for environmental policy in
the European Green Cities Index or sustainable cities classification.
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Brussels Quality Destination
Brussels gives great thought to how satisfied its visitors are with the quality of the services they’ve
used there. Two initiatives are being carried out to analyse their perception of and improve the
quality of the welcome:

An on-line questionnaire
The data is gathered from this every day and analysed in a satisfaction barometer
published every month.
www.visitbrussels.be/qualitydestination

The Quality Academy
This offers awareness-raising sessions to all those involved in tourism to increase their
knowledge of what Brussels has to offer tourists.
www.visitbrussels.be/qualityacademy
Contact: h.maisondardenne@visitbrussels.be
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9. PRESS CONTACTS
Martha Meeze
m.meeze@visitbrussels.be
Press Manager & Spokesperson
+32 (0) 486 53 31 81
Pierre Massart
Press officer
p.massart@visitbrussels.be
+32 (0) 475 53 08 07
Gary Divito
Press officer
g.divito@visitbrussels.be
+32 (0) 476 94 13 53
Catherine Renard
c.renard@visitbrussels.be
Press support coordinator
+32 (0) 474 37 67 05
More information on :
www.visit.brussels
Online pictures library
Login: press@visitbrussels.be
Password: press
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