In the building of Belgium’s Royal Museums of Fine Arts, that stands right in the centre of Brussels on Place Royale.
Royal Museum of the Army and Military History
The museum houses around one hundred thousand items (weapons, uniforms, armours…), making it one of the world’s largest military museums.
Museum of Ancient Art - Royal Museums of Fine Arts
The Museum of Ancient Art houses a vast collection of paintings, sculptures and drawings from the 15th to the 18th century. The core of the collection is made up of works of art confiscated during the revolutionary period and works of art deposited by the French State. The collection has been subsequently enhanced thanks to not only acquisitions, but also donations and bequests from numerous patrons.
Museum of Modern Art - Royal Museums of Fine Arts
This section houses works of art from the end of the 18th century up to the modern period: paintings, sculptures and drawings. It represents the logical continuation of the artistic evolution which starts in the Museum of Ancient Art. This particularity of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium contributes to their originality.
Royal Museums of Art and History
The Museums of Art and History house material and artefacts from various civilizations with the exception of Black Africa. The Cinquantenaire Museum is divided into four main sections: national archaeology, antiquity, non-European civilizations and European decorative arts.
Autoworld
The museum is rightly seen as one of the most prestigious of its kind in Europe, even the world (roughly 400 vehicles, all in working order). This is the place to relive the history of the motor car from 1886 to the 1970s.
Belgian Centre for Comic Strip Art
This museum offers two visits in one: an "archaeological" discovery, since it is housed in what used to be the Waucquez warehouse (built by Victor Horta); not to mention the building’s highly original contents - comic strips - in a setting that provides space and light in abundance. The museum devotes much of its space to the history of the comic strip in Belgium, with Hergé undoubtedly at the head of a group whose fame is international.
BELvue Museum
The museum is housed within the prestigious Bellevue Residence. The apartments have kept intact all their original splendour and decors. The collection presents the various aspects of Belgian history in chronological order.
Fondation internationale Jacques Brel
A mere stone’s throw from the Grand-Place on a charming square in old Brussels, this is the place for visitors to experience a glimpse into the things that were dear to Jacques Brel, on a journey created by the Foundation which bears the singer’s name. Don’t miss the exhibition: “A last evening with Brel at the Olympia”.
Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate
During your visit in the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate, you will learn everything about the origins of the chocolate, the beans cultivated by the Aztecs to be then offered to their Gods. In the Museum the different phases in the production process are explained and also the hand-made “praline”. A visit to the Museum will include the demonstration of a chocolate master and the possibility of sampling various chocolate delights.
Costume and Lace Museum
Two 18th century gabled houses have had their interiors redesigned to accommodate the museum with the strongest local flavour; a place devoted to lace, embroidery, costume and high fashion.
Far East Museums - Chinese Pavilion, Japanese Tower and Japanese Art Museum
The Chinese pavilion was built on the edge of the Royal Estate at Laeken on the orders of King Leopold II. The pavilion houses a major collection of Chinese ceramics manufactured for export to Europe. Following the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1900, King Leopold II decided to commence building-work on the Japanese Tower.You'll discover also temporary exhibitions on various aspects of Japanese art.
Brussels Gueuze Museum
An introduction to the art of making Gueuze-Lambic, the mysterious local beer that is the fruit of spontaneous fermentation. A visit to this working museum offers you the chance to sample some of the most unique beers in the world.
Horta Museum
The Horta Museum is established in the private house and studio of the famous architect, Victor Horta. Built between 1898 and 1901, the two buildings are characteristic of Art Nouveau at its peak. The house has kept intact most of its interior decors: mosaics, stained-glass windows, furniture, paintings and murals form a collection whose every detail evokes harmony and sophistication.
Musical Instruments Museum - MIM
This excellent museum occupies the old Art Nouveau buildings and is one of the biggest collection of instruments in the world. The four exhibition levels display nearly 1200 instruments, antique or contemporary, in a stage set blending the acoustic and visual aspects and integrating technological tools such as interactive terminals and sound spaces.
Ixelles Museum of Fine Arts
The museum has a major series of fin-de-siècle poster art as well as virtually every poster by Toulouse-Lautrec. Two rooms are devoted to art from the 16th to 18th century. However, the museum is best known for its collections from the 19th and 20th centuries, which offer a broad panorama of the period’s various painting schools.
Museum of Natural Sciences
Have you seen Europe’s greatest Dinosaur Gallery? Not yet? Well, 450 000 visitors already did - what are you waiting for? Come and see the impressive T. Rex, Triceratops, the tall Diplodocus, the Stegosaurus and the Olorotitan. Nevertheless, the original fossils of the iguanodons of Bernissart remain our true stars!
Does this journey to the past trigger a desire for knowledge about the story of our past, present and our future Life? In the Evolution Gallery you’ll find almost a thousand fossils and discover the incredible richness, sophistication and complexity of life. Don’t forget to check out the permanent exhibition “250 years of natural sciences” which presents fourteen emblematic objects, witnesses of two and a half centuries of exciting research history. While visiting, come and see the treasures of our permanent rooms: minerals, shells, mammals,... Are you captivated by marine animals? Do not miss the Whales and dolphins exhibition, which takes you to the depths of the sea, tells you about the diversity of species, their origins and their evolution. Discover this fascinating exhibition until August 2010.
It is known that the Museum always provides something to look forward to. As from end of 2010 you can find a new permanent exhibition Biodiversity in the city. Discover biodiversity and learn how to protect it and give life to our planet. A unique and innovative approach for the Museum for Natural Sciences.
Brussels Urban Transport Museum
Museum charting the history of urban public transport in Brussels from 1869, with the help of nearly 150 vehicles: horse-drawn trams, electric trams, trolleybuses. " Estaminet ": ancient tavern offering tastings of Brussels beers and bar food.
Museum of the City of Brussels (Maison du Roi)
This superb historic building was rebuilt in the 19th century as a copy of the 16th century original. The museum is devoted to all aspects of the city’s history. On the ground floor, don’t miss the city’s plastic and decorative arts. The first floor traces the city’s urban development and growth. The second floor spotlights the history of political, economic, cultural and social life in the capital.The museum’s folklore section is home to the extravagant wardrobe of Brussels’s most mischievous little inhabitant: Manneken-Pis
Atomium
Inaugurated on the occasion of the 1958 World Exhibition and fully renovated in 2005, the Atomium is built on the model of a metal crystalline molecule enlarged 165 billion times. The most spectacular views of Brussels and Brabant from the uppermost ball. A must !
Brussels on stage
The Galeries Saint-Hubert (arcades) has a surprise in store for you in its basements. When you enter the Galerie de la Reine, don’t miss the entrance to Brussels on Stage, a wonderful exhibition show. You’ll discover the romantic Vaudeville theatre auditorium (1884) as you cross the stage to reach the huge, historic basements of the Galeries Saint-Hubert ! During a free tour lasting +/- 1.1/2 hours, from Saint-Michel to a tram that’s come from a comic strip, via an authentic and lively market garden, there’s a succession of scenes featuring Art, History, Gastronomy, Europe and Victor Horta . At the end of the tour, there ‘s free and exclusive literature for you to round off each main theme that you’ve come across. Don’t miss it if you want to experience a real taste of Brussels.
Mini-Europe
Located at the foot of the Atomium, Mini-Europe is
the only park where you can have a whistlestop tour
of Europe in a few short hours. A truly unique journey! Enjoy a stroll taking in the typical atmosphere of the most beautiful towns of the old Continent. The incomparable chimes of Big Ben welcome you to the heart of London. The gondolas and mandolins invite you to discover the charms of Venice. Follow the TGV high-speed train from Paris to the other end of France. You can make the models work yourself: the eruption of Vesuvius, the fall of the Berlin Wall, a bull-fight in Seville and many others. All in all, 350 models and sites with an unequalled level of craftsmanship. Visit also the European area, packed with interactive multimedia games and the exhibition “Spirit of Europe”
Brussels Town Hall
Brussels Town Hall is one of Belgium’s finest civic buildings. Not only because of the numerous sculptures adorning its walls, but also because of its perfect proportions and the incomparable beauty of its tower, the spire of which is topped by the archangel Saint-Michael. Brussels laid the foundation stone of the magnificent Gothic edifice in the spring of 1402. In 1695, when the city was bombarded by Marshal de Villeroy, the Town Hall was destroyed by fire. Its reception rooms and aldermen’s offices contain fine Brussels tapestries from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, sumptuous Gothic wooden panelling,the insignia of ancient guilds and paintings from the collections at the Town Hall Museum.
Parcours découverte du Stade Roi Baudouin
Discover life at the King Baudouin Stadium via a series of documents, photos, scenes and objects that trace back the history of the stadium and the exploits accomplished there. The discovery tour will allow you to take a behind the scenes look at the Stadium and to see for yourself the mythical places that are usually out of bounds for the general public: the locker rooms of the Red Devils football team, the press room, the security tower, etc.
Manneken-Pis
He has been given numerous costumes and decorations and his wardrobe now comprises some 760 items, recently restyled in an appealing scenography (see Museum of the City of Brussels). The first costume was given to him by the Elector of Bavaria in 1698. Manneken-Pis has, alas, been the victim of several acts of vandalism. It was in 1745 that he was kidnapped for the first time by the English. Two years later, it was the turn of the French to steal him. Hearing of this, Louis XV gave him, by way of reparation for this outrage, a rich costume in gold brocade and decorated him with the cross of Saint-Louis. In 1817, the statuette was stolen again, this time by a reprieved French convict, and was found broken in pieces. The fragments were used to make the statuette which you can see today on the old fountain.
The Law Courts
Built on the site of the city's former gallows, the Galgenberg, it was one of the largest buildings built in Europe in the 19th century. Its architect, J. Poelaert designed it in a very eclectic style.
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace was built on the site of the former
Palace of the Dukes of Brabant which was destroyed by
fire in 1731. Started in 1820 under the reign of King William, it was modified in 1904 under Léopold II, who had it rebuilt in Louis XVI style. The side wings date from the 18th century and at the end of each wing there is a pavilion. On the left that of the Civil List and
on the right the Hotel Bellevue which is currently the BELvue Museum.
The Royal Greenhouses (Laeken)
A result of the prestigious reign of Léopold II and the work of the architect Balat, magnificently presented in a luminous environment of glass ringed with steel, the flora collections are a veritable feast for the senses.
Former Palace of Brussels
A major archaeological site in Brussels. The remains of the chapel of Charles Quint and the rue Isabelle used to be all that was visible. Beneath the place Royale itself, the remains of a large ceremonial hall have been uncovered. This free-standing, very high hall is older than the chapel that was added in the 16th century. The Aula Magna (great hall) of the Dukes of Burgundy and later, of Charles Quint and an additional branch of the rue Isabelle at a lower level have been unearthed. This archaeological complex extends beyond this ancient road as far as the incline of the Coudenberg. The Lalaing-Hoogstraeten mansion and its remarkable gallery in late gothic has now been linked to the site of the Charles Quint chapel and the rue Isabelle.
The Cathedral of Saints Michel and Gudule
A veritable juxtaposition of Brabant Gothic styles takes us back to the 13th century and the atmosphere of the great builders. Its two towers give it a very French appearance. Building of the cathedral started in 1226, whilst the facade dates from the 15th century. The prodigious stained-glass windows were inspired by the drawings of Bernard Van Orley and offered by Charles Quint and his family. Jean II, the Duke of Brabant, the archdukes Albert and Isabelle and Charles de Lorraine are buried in the chancel.
Porte de Hal
Renovated from top to bottom in 2007-2008, this museum devoted to the history and traditions of the city of Brussels puts on a number of temporary exhibitions. Sweeping view over Brussels.
Brussels' public aquarium - Aquariology centre
Permanent exhibition of 47 aqua(terra)riums from 5 continents, illustrating the kingdom of fish, amphibians and other invertebrates. This centre is designed as a place for finding out about and raising awareness of respect for the environment. Audio guide available.