Brussels has a remarkable architectural, historical and artistic heritage. City of Tintin, Jacques Brel and Magritte, the capital of Europe is also a city on a human scale, where life is good. Add to this an excellent cuisine and particularly welcoming inhabitants, and you will understand why Brussels is becoming more and more a privileged weekend destination, especially on the occasion of the Flower Carpet relooke the Grand-Place in August.
The Grand-Place and the Manneken Pis
To all lords, all honours, the discovery of Brussels begins with the Grand-Place, the most beautiful square in Belgium, and even in Europe. It is bordered by the King's House (where the City of Brussels Museum is located), the City Hall - a sumptuous Gothic building - and the guild houses, whose facades rival each other in beauty and exuberance
The historic centre is not very extensive and is easily explored on foot. A stone's throw from the Grand-Place is the Saint-Jacques district with its cobbled streets teeming with bistros and small shops. This is where the Manneken Pis, one of Brussels' most famous symbols, is hidden. Its size (barely 60 cm) embodies Belgian self-mockery
A little further on, you arrive at the "Sacred Islet" with the royal galleries of Saint-Hubert, the first covered galleries in Europe, which are also worth a visit. Opened in 1847, they have retained all the splendour of the time. The galleries overlook the Place Marché-aux-Herbes, from which several small streets leave, including Rue des Bouchers, full of restaurants that try to attract tourists with promotions and beaters. If the liveliness of the place deserves to be seen, it is not there that you will taste the best Brussels cuisine...
Apart from being a tourist attraction, the Belgian capital really has nothing to be ashamed of in terms of its cuisine. Unlike some clichés, this one is not limited to mussels and chips. Brussels is full of restaurants of all kinds, from the most popular to the most refined. For a quick meal, fritkot - which sells French fries with all sauces as well as sausages and meatballs - are a must, while coffee is often the best way to enjoy honest cooking without breaking the bank. Gourmets who want to try their hand at local cuisine will have the choice between meat prepared with beer or juniper, fish accompanied by chicory (chicory), rabbit, Flemish carbonnades, waterzooi (chicken or fish stew with cream)... As for the mussels and chips, they are still a must!
Flea markets and its antiques
South of the city's tourist heart are two more authentic districts that are worth a visit
The Sablon is a maze of cobbled streets and wealthy houses. On the Grand-Sablon square there is a famous antique market on weekends. But the art and antique galleries of the district alone make up a permanent chic museum. Brussels is a paradise for hunters!
The Marolles district is much more popular and teems with small shops, flea markets and typical cafés. Place du Jeu-de-Balle, a flea market has been held every day since 1873. The many bars and restaurants surrounding the square are the ideal place to enjoy a beer while enjoying the local "zwanze", a typical Brussels humour
Countless museums and cafés
Brussels can boast of having many museums, each more interesting than the next. It is difficult to make a choice, but we can mention the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, where you can admire the paintings of the Flemish primitives; the Magritte Museum houses the richest collection of the surrealist painter; the Museum of Natural Sciences, with the largest exhibition of dinosaur skeletons in Europe; the Belvue Museum which tells the history of Belgium; or the Musical Instruments Museum with its 7000 pieces of collection!
If you like to discover a city on foot and you are not indifferent to architecture, a visit to Brussels Art Nouveau will enchant you. So go for a walk in the town of Ixelles. And above all, look up: the area is full of characteristic buildings of this style, built by Victor Horta, Paul Hankar or Henry Van de Velde. At the end of the walk, take a relaxing break on the shore of the pond of Ixelles or visit the nearby town of Saint-Gilles to visit the Horta Museum. Then jump into one of the many buses or trams that serve the centre and finish your day at Falstaff, one of the city's most beautiful Art Nouveau cafés, located right next to the Stock Exchange. Ah,Brussels and its coffees... a whole story. The people of Brussels know how to celebrate and your outings will be punctuated by meetings, improvised concerts and the joie de vivre that characterizes the city so well. In the centre, just behind the Grand-Place, we advise you to test the estaminet "A l'Imaige de Nostre Dame". This small bistro retains an undeniable sense of intimacy and authenticity. The trendy places to go out are around Place Saint-Géry and Place Flagey, in Ixelles, recently refurbished
Capital of Europe, comics, beers, chocolates and creators
A major turning point in the history of Brussels took place in 1958. The memory of the Universal Exhibition is still dear to the people of Brussels and is embodied in the Atomium. This one, which had become quite old (it must be said that the building was originally built to last 6 months), has been completely restored. And we really understand why the building was so successful at the time... Nearby is the Mini-Europe park where young and old can contemplate Europe in miniature: 300 models, extremely well made, which recreate the atmospheres and monuments typical of the most beautiful cities of the Old Continent
City of beer and MEPs, Brussels is also the world capital of comics. For all fans, a detour is required to the Belgian Comic Strip Centre. Covering more than 4,000 square metres, this museum brings together everything to do with the 9th art. And Brussels is full of nice little shops to discover. Comics, beers, chocolates and antiques are among the must-have items to bring back from a stay in the Belgian capital
At the time of the Flower Carpet...
The famous Flower Carpet extends over 300 m², right in the centre of the Grand-Place. The craftsmen assemble them directly on the paving stones of the square, without a layer of soil. This vegetable tapestry can be admired from the balcony of the Town Hall. This year, we look forward to seeing you between August 16 and 19. For this new edition, the blend will honour Guanajuato, a Mexican region with a rich floral tradition. And to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Grand-Place's inclusion on UNESCO's World Heritage List, another floral exhibition will be held at Place de la Bourse.
Smart info
When? When? Brussels can be visited without any problem all year round. To discover the Flower Carpet, visit the Belgian capital from 16 to 19 August.
Getting there. By plane, train or car, Brussels is easily accessible.
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Useful. To prepare your escapade as well as possible
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