NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM AND ITS VIVARIUM

Founded in 1828 by science enthusiasts convinced of the value of zoological collections, it is the oldest museum in Belgium. It's well worth a visit for children and adults alike, precisely because of the historical aspect of the neo-classical building and the original vivarium. Opened to the public in September 1829, the museum was built on the site of the brewery of the former Saint-Martin Abbey. Now refurbished and enlarged, it invites visitors to discover both its historical past and the diversity of the animal world. The Salle Barthélemy Dumortier, a gallery designed by architect Bruno Renard in 1839, is well worth a visit, with its neoclassical silhouette and ^19th-century "cabinet of curiosities" atmosphere. Discover the tropical greenhouse, where orchids, ferns, entomophagous plants and bromeliads tower over the pool housing Chinese alligators, aquatic turtles and amphibians. You can now marvel at a greenhouse of exotic butterflies fluttering in the air. Continue your visit to the 18 vivariums and observe reptiles, amphibians, fish, spiders and live insects. As a member of the Association of European Zoos and Aquariums, the museum is involved in a program to save endangered species such as the Chinese alligator, the Egyptian tortoise and the Jamaican boa. Educational workshops enable youngsters to appreciate our planet's biodiversity up close, in a fun and scientific way.