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Il Coro di Santa Cecilia protagonista italiano
del KlaraFestival di Bruxelles




Un altro importante appuntamento all’estero per il Coro di Santa Cecilia, dopo i successi riscossi al Festival di St. Denis di Parigi nel giugno 2008: diretti da Filippo Maria Bressan gli artisti del coro si esibiranno per la prima volta in Belgio, nell’ambito del KlaraFestival il 5 settembre alle ore 17 nella prestigiosa Gran Place di Bruxelles. Un appuntamento del tutto informale, all’aperto e gratuito nella famosa piazza della capitale belga, che vedrà gli artisti del coro esibirsi con musiche che vanno da Berio a Mahler, da Ravel a Petrassi e che includono anche la famosa Nel Blu dipinto di Blu di Domenico Modugno e alcuni canti popolari belgi.
Il KlaraFestival, importante appuntamento culturale belga, quest’anno è dedicato all’Italia e il Coro di Santa Cecilia è l’unica Istituzione italiana presente alla rassegna.
Il 6 settembre alle ore 20 la compagine corale sarà protagonista al Bozar di Bruxelles, la più importante sala da concerti del Belgio, dove eseguirà un concerto con la Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra diretta da Michel Tabachnick e il programma prevede il Concerto per pianoforte coro maschile e orchestra di Busoni, Ptah di Scelsi e lo Schicksalslied di Brahms.



5 settembre – Bruxelles, Gran Place ore 17
Coro dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Filippo Maria Bressan direttore
Petrassi Nonsense
Pearsell Lay a Garland
Ravel Trois chansons
Mahler Ich bin die Welt abhanden gekommen
Matameros – Juramento
Berio Si fussi pisci
Colacicchi Me pizzica me mozzica
Genee Insalata italiana
Modugno Volare – Nel Blu dipinto di Blu
Popular Belgian Folk Tune


6 settembre – Bruxelles, Bozar ore 20
Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra
Coro dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Michel Tabachnick direttore
Busoni Concerto per pianoforte coro maschile e orchestra
Scelsi Ptah
Brahms Schicksalslied


www.santacecilia.it 
Questo articolo è rilasciato sotto i termini della GNU Free Documentation License
Esso utilizza materiale tratto da
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruxelles
Cronologia/Autori:
http://it.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bruxelles&action=history

Bruxelles

Da Wikipedia, l'enciclopedia libera.

 
Bruxelles
Nome ufficiale: Brussel/Bruxelles
Stato:  Belgio
Regione: Regione di Bruxelles-Capitale
Superficie: 32,61 km²
Coordinate: Latitudine: 50° 50′ 00
Longitudine: N° 4′ 21
Popolazione: 142.853 ab. (1/1/2005)
CAP: 1000, 1020, 1120, 1130

Template:Geobox-mappa

Sito istituzionale

Bruxelles o Brusselle (Bruxelles bʀyˈsɛl o bʀyˈksɛl in francese, Brussel ˈbrɵsəɫ in olandese, Brüssel in tedesco, Brussels in inglese, Bruselas in spagnolo, Bruxelas in portoghese) è la capitale e la principale città del Belgio. Il termine Bruxelles di solito coincide con la Regione di Bruxelles-Capitale.

Indice

[nascondi]

 

Panoramica

Per approfondire, vedi la voce Municipalità della Regione di Bruxelles-Capitale.

Con il termine Bruxelles ci si riferisce talvolta alla municipalità principale della Regione di Bruxelles-Capitale, ma in tal caso è più corretto denominarla Città di Bruxelles (Bruxelles-Ville o Ville de Bruxelles in francese, de Stad Brussel in olandese). La Città di Bruxelles non è che una delle 19 municipalità che compongono la Regione di Bruxelles-Capitale: conta 140.000 abitanti, mentre considerando l'intera Regione di Bruxelles-Capitale si arriva a 1 milione di abitanti.

La Regione di Bruxelles-Capitale, dal punto di vista amministrativo è una regione esattamente come Fiandre e Vallonia, e dal punto di vista geografico è una enclave delle Fiandre. Le regioni sono una componente delle complesse istituzioni belghe, le tre comunità sono un'altra: la popolazione di Bruxelles ha a che fare con la Comunità francofona del Belgio o con la Comunità Fiamminga, per questioni riguardanti argomenti come cultura ed educazione.

 
 

Vecchie case nella Grand Place

Dopo la loro creazione, le istituzioni comunitarie e regionali fiamminghe si riunirono, e il consiglio legislativo fiammingo unificato, il 'Vlaamse Raad', attualmente chiamato 'Vlaams Parlement', stabilì il suo governo e i suoi ministeri a Bruxelles. Bruxelles è anche la capitale della Comunità francofona del Belgio (Communauté française Wallonie-Bruxelles in francese).

La frontiera linguistica divide il Belgio in un settentrione di lingua olandese ed un meridione di lingua francese. La regione di Bruxelles è ufficialmente bilingue, ma la maggioranza della sua popolazione parla francese. Piccole comunità di immigranti conservano la loro madrelingua: berberi, arabi, italiani, spagnoli e altri, ma la gran parte di questi parla anche in francese.

 

Istituzioni dell'Unione Europea

Due delle tre principali istituzioni dell'Unione Europea, la Commissione Europea e il Consiglio dell'Unione Europea, hanno la loro sede a Bruxelles. La terza istituzione principale, il Parlamento Europeo, ha anch'essa una camera parlamentare a Bruxelles (le sue sessioni plenarie si tengono però nella sede di Strasburgo). Bruxelles ospita anche gli uffici della Presidenza europea, le commissioni del Parlamento europeo e il Comitato delle Regioni, ed è anche la sede politica della NATO, e dell'Unione dell'Europa Occidentale (WEU).

Per questo motivo è spesso considerata (assieme a Strasburgo e Lussemburgo) come la capitale dell'Unione Europea.

 

Storia

 
 

Il Municipio nella Grand Place

Il nome Bruxelles deriva da Bruocsella o Brucsella, che significa "casa nella palude". Un piccolo castello vi venne costruito nel 979 vicino alla Senne.

La Strage dell'Heysel avvenne a Bruxelles il 29 maggio 1985.

 

Bruxelles, situazione linguistica

Le lingue originali dell'area di Bruxelles sono dialetti brabantini dell'olandese. Una curiosità è il "marollien", un dialetto molto influenzato dalla lingua vallone che si parla in una sezione centrale della città. Sia l'olandese che il francese sono stati usati per la maggior parte della storia della città come lingue ufficiali e dalle classe superiori.

Nell'Ottocento, con i progressi dell'alfabetizzazione, i dialetti furono progressivamente soppiantati dalle lingue standardizzate. A Bruxelles, la magior parte della popolazione addottò il francese piuttosto che l'olandese come lingua di cultura, siccome all'epoca era più prestigioso e quindi considerato più utile. Oggi, i dialetti di Bruxelles sono quasi spariti, nonostante gli sforzi di alcuni per salvarli.

La Regione di Bruxelles-Capitale è ufficialmente bilingue francese/olandese. Non esistono statistiche ufficiali sulla prima lingua degli abitanti e sarebbero comunque difficili da raccogliere, poiché le famiglie "miste" non sono rare. Stime serie della percentuale di abitanti che parlano olandese come prima lingua variano tra il 7,5% e il 15% della popolazione, e si basano sulla lingua usata per comunicare con le autorità communali e sui risultati elettorali dei partiti di lingua olandese.

Esiste una consistente popolazione di lingua francese nella periferia di Bruxelles, una zona che uffialmente fa parte delle Fiandre. Nella maggior parte delle municipalità contigue alla Regione di Bruxelles-Capitale, la popolazione di lingua francese è addirittura maggioritaria. I lori diritti linguistici e/o l'espansione della Regione di Bruxelles-Capitale sono soggetto di molti accesi dibattiti.

 

Università

Bruxelles ha diverse università, due di queste sono l'Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) e la Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).

 

Trasporti

Bruxelles è servita dall'Aeroporto Internazionale di Bruxelles, situato nella municipalità di Zaventem, e dall'Aeroporto Bruxelles Sud, posto vicino a Charleroi.

La metropolitana di Bruxelles risale al 1976.

 

Congressi e fiere

Bruxelles ospitò il terzo Congres Internationaux d'Architecture Moderne nel 1930.

Due esposizioni mondiali ebbero luogo a Bruxelles, l'Exposition universelle et internationale (1935) e l'Expo' 58 del 1958. L'Atomium, una rappresentazione alta 103 metri di un cristallo di ferro, venne costruita per l'Expo' 58, ed è stata mantenuta, diventando una specie di equivalente belga della Torre Eiffel.

 

Attrazioni turistiche di Bruxelles

 
 

La cattedrale gotica di Saint Michel

 

Musei di Bruxelles

 

Gemellaggi

 

Voci correlate

 

Altri progetti

 

Collegamenti esterni

Mappa alle coordinate: 50° 50' 0" N, 45° 21' 0" E

Anderlecht · Auderghem · Berchem-Sainte-Agathe · Città di Bruxelles · Etterbeek · Evere · Forest · Ganshoren · Ixelles · Jette · Koekelberg · Molenbeek-Saint-Jean · Saint-Gilles · Saint-Josse-ten-Noode · Schaerbeek · Uccle · Watermael-Boitsfort · Woluwe-Saint-Lambert · Woluwe-Saint-Pierre

Thanks to www.travelpuppy.com
Brussels Travel Guide
Brussels Travel Guide and Brussels Travel Information - TravelPuppy.com
The European Parliament has found an ideal home in Brussels (Brussel in Flemish and Bruxelles in French). This inland capital city of Belgium, bordered by The Netherlands, Germany, France and Luxembourg, it is a multi-cultural and multi-lingual city at the very heart of Europe. Indeed, it claims with some justification to be the Capital of Europe.

Brussels was a thriving trade centre by the Middle Ages. The Bruxellois have inherited the wisdom of ancestors who lived under Roman, Spanish, Austrian, French, German and Dutch domination – their country winning independence in 1830.

Today, Brussels boasts a highly skilled and an adaptable workforce. Despite the population of Belgium numbering only 10.2 million, with Brussels itself just some 970,000 strong, the Bruxellois have the ability to compensate for their small numbers with skilled diplomacy, compromise and negotiation. These striking traits are followed closely by a highly intellectual and off-beat sense of humour, underpinned by a strong sense of the quite bizarre. This may help explain why the Surrealist art movement, pioneered by René Magritte, took off in Brussels. A playful and irreverent reaction to life is also revealed in the Belgian love affair with the comic strip, popularised worldwide with Hergé’s boy hero, Tintin.

Language is a complex and serious issue in bilingual Brussels, as well as being a focus of communal tensions. Some 85 per cent of native Bruxellois speak French as their first language. Ironically, Brussels is also capital of Flemish-speaking Flanders. However, the fierce linguistic debate takes a lighter form, with constant puns and word games forming a complex web. For instance, while a top-notch restaurant is called Comme Chez Soi (Just Like Home), a less prestigious establishment calls itself Comme Chez Moi (Just Like My Home), with more than a twist of irony.

The image of the city suffers abroad, due to its very diversity, as well as the self-effacing nature of its quirky inhabitants, too modest to blow their own trumpet. Brussels has no symbol to rival the skyscraping Eiffel Tower, aside from the tiny but famed Manneken-Pis, a statuette of a urinating boy.

The first visit to Brussels, uncoloured by expectations, is therefore all the more rewarding with narrow cobbled streets opening suddenly into the breathtaking Grand-Place, with its ornate guild houses, impressive Town Hall and buzzing atmosphere, a truly beautiful square.

Restaurants, bars and museums are clustered within the compact city centre, enclosed within the petit ring, which follows the path of the 14th-century city walls. The medieval city is clearly defined by its narrow, labyrinthine streets, making it easy to distinguish the later additions, such as Léopold II’s Parisian-style boulevards – Belliard and La Loi – today lined with embassies, banks and the grand apartments of the bourgeoisie and close to the glitzy new EU quarter.

The working class still congregate in the Marolles district, in the shadow of the Palais de Justice, although this area currently on the up-and-up. New immigrant communities are settling in the slightly rundown area around the Gare du Nord. Neighbouring communes, St-Gilles and Ixelles, draw an arty crowd with their ‘in’ shops and restaurants. These are worth the trek, if only to glimpse some of Brussels’ finest Art Nouveau buildings, the style being developed by Bruxellois Victor Horta, the son of a shoemaker.

With a pleasant temperate climate warm summers and mild winters – and a host of sights and delights to entertain, Brussels offers far more than just beer and chocolate. The year 2003 marked the city’s celebration of its cultural diversity – from its rich architecture to native hero and lyrical singer Jacques Brel – through a series of cultural events, festivals and restoration schemes.

___________
Brussels Business Profile
Brussels Business Overview - TravelPuppy.com
Although Brussels accounts for just 0.5 per cent of Belgium’s surface area and has a population of under one million, the region generates 15 per cent of the nation’s Gross National Product. Brussels’ unemployment level at 15 per cent remains quite high and the national level is not much better, standing at 12 per cent. This perhaps is explained by the fact that two thirds of Belgium’s 40,000-strong asylum seekers are located in Brussels and, since 2000 regulations, this population has been entitled to seek employment. A further explanation rests on the types of employment available in Brussels, which relies on a highly skilled, technically proficient and multi-lingual workforce. In this environment, the less skilled find it difficult to slot to find work. One third of Brussels’ labour market comes from the international community, of which 65 per cent are from the European Union.

Most major Belgian companies are based in Brussels, including the Glaverbel, Solvay and SN Brussels Airlines. ‘Capital’ of the European Union, Brussels also plays host to NATO. The presence of these international organisations, combined with Brussels’ geographic location at the heart of Europe, excellent transport infrastructure, highly trained multi-lingual workforce and favourable fiscal regimes, draws nearly 2000 foreign companies to Brussels. The presence of over 60 foreign banks has contributed to making Brussels the world’s seventh biggest financial market. American companies, France, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Japan all have strong financial links with Brussels. Foreign companies with a presence in the city include AT&T, IBM, Sony, Toyota, Procter & Gamble, Hewlett Packard, Volkswagen and Price Waterhouse-Coopers.

The tertiary sector accounts for nearly 80 per cent of all jobs – in various fields including banking and financial services, transport and tourism and transport. Nonetheless, Brussels remains the nation’s second most important industrial centre after Antwerp. Industry is increasingly specialised in high-tech sectors and accounts for 15 per cent of employment.

The city centre is where the Belgian financial groups including the FORTIS and BBL the government ministries are based here. The Espace Nord is much favoured by public administrators and private-sector companies, such as Belgacom, Bankcard Company and The World Trade Center. The Louise area is occupied by national and international companies, while the coveted Léopold area is dominated by the European Parliament. Brussels’ international flavour is also evident in the numerous diplomatic missions present and the city welcomes nearly 16,000 business congresses during the course of the year. Nearly a third of the capital’s population is made up of overseas visitors, giving Brussels a truly cosmopolitan flair.

Business Etiquette

A certain degree of business formality is expected in the city. It is wise for business visitors to confirm meetings in writing and arrive on time, armed with business cards and wearing a suit with a tie for men. Companies are hierarchical and as many managing directors do not delegate and it is advisable to go straight to the top.

Standard office hours are Monday to Friday 0830–1730.

On meeting clients, one should address colleagues with their surname, respecting any professional or academic qualifications. English is the standard language of business in Brussels. Personal relationships are very important, so relaxed lunch meetings help develop trust – a stage that must be reached before any decisions are made. In Brussels, it is common for business colleagues to be invited for an apéritif, followed by dinner at a nice restaurant, although not generally at the first meeting.

_____________Brussels Culture Guide
Brussels Culture Guide - TravelPuppy.com
Brussels’ cultural life as a scene is linguistically split between French and Flemish and is booming, despite of a lack of funding partly caused by the language divide. Obviously, some the art forms cross all language boundaries.

French-Belgian cinema came to prominence during 1994, with Jan Bucquoy’s hilarious La Vie Sexuelle des Belges, while the more serious Flemish film, Daens (1992), directed by Stijn Coninx, was nominated Best Foreign Film at the 1992 Oscars.

Contemporary dance came into its own in the 1980s, thanks to Flemish choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker (Rosas Company) and Wim Vandekeybus (Ultima Vez Company). Theatre is celebrated annually during the Kunstenfestivaldesarts (telephone number: (02) 7022 2199 or (02) 219 0707) in May.

Opera is performed at the prestigious Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, Place de la Monnaie (telephone number: (02) 229 1211, website: www.lamonnaie.be), where the rousing performance of an Auber opera provoked the audience into starting the Belgian revolution in 1830. Notable touring companies to perform here include the RSC and Comédie Française.

The principal cross-cultural venue is the Victor Horta-designed Palais des Beaux Arts, Rue Ravenstein 23 (telephone number: (02) 507 8200), which hosts major temporary art exhibitions, French theatrical productions, classical and contemporary dance, classical music and the finals for the internationally renowned Queen Elizabeth music competition. The Cirque Royal, Rue de l’Enseignement 81 (telephone number: (02) 218 2015), allows for varied performances in the round, including classical music, dance, opera and musicals. The Halles de Schaerbeek, Rue Royale Sainte-Marie 22A (telephone number: (02) 227 5960), hosts large-scale operatic, dance and theatrical performances and pop acts. Flemish-language theatre and contemporary dance is well represented at the neo-Baroque Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwberg or Royal Flemish Theatre, Rue de Laeken 146 (telephone number: (02) 412 7070 or 412 7050).

The ‘What’s On’ section of English-language Bulletin, the Wednesday pull-out section of Le Soir and the ‘Agenda’ section of the Brussel Deze Week free newspaper, available every Thursday, all provide cultural listings.

Information and tickets are available at the Brussels Tourist Office, Hôtel de Ville, Grand-Place (telephone number: (02) 513 8940) and the Fnac store at the City 2 shopping complex, Rue Neuve (telephone number: (02) 275 1111). The Fnac booking line (telephone number: (0900) 00600) is for concert, theatre and exhibition theatre tickets. Ticket prices are usually priced around €13–70 for dance and theatre performances, anything from €15–90 for opera and approximately €6 for tickets to the cinema.

Music

The national opera house, at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, Place du Monnaie (telephone number: (02) 229 1211), continues to excel. With only 1200 seats, it is best for visitors to book well in advance. For Flemish opera, one should take a trip to Vlaamse Opera, Van Ertbornstraat 8, Antwerp (telephone number: (03) 233 6685), or Ghent’s Schouwburg Straat 3 (telephone number: (09) 225 2425). The Palais des Beaux Arts, Rue Ravenstein 23 (telephone number: (02) 507 8200), is home to the National Orchestra and Philharmonic Society, which organises most of the major concerts in Brussels. The season, annually consisting of over 350 concerts, from September to June.

In addition to the major venues, there is the intimate Conservatoire Royal de Musique, Rue de la Régence 30 (telephone number: (02) 513 4587), which is tailor-made for chamber recitals. The auditorium at Musée d’Art Ancien, Rue de la Régence 3 (telephone number: (02) 508 3211), hosts lunchtime concerts held on Wednesday, from Autumn to Easter.

Theatre

There are over 30 theatres in located in Brussels. The leading French-language Théâtre National, lost its home at the Centre Rogier (currently being demolished) and has taken up temporary residence in a disused Art Deco cinema palace at Boulevard Anspach 85 (telephone number: (02) 203 5303). Here aficionados can find polished renditions of the classical European theatre. A permanent venue for the National Theatre is at Boulevard Emile Jacqmain. The main Flemish theatre, Kaaitheater (telephone number: (02) 201 5959) has two locations, Kaaitheater, Place Sainctelette 20 and Kaaitheater Studios, Rue Notre-Dame de Sommeil 81. Innovative productions are performed in French at the Théâtre le Public, Rue Braemt 64–70 (telephone number: (02) 223 2966), while literary discussions and readings take place at the Théâtre-Poème, Rue d’Ecosse 30 (telephone number: (02) 538 6358). The American Theatre Company (e-mail: actbrussels@yahoo.com) is an English-language theatre group located in Brussels, staging performances at The Studio Theatre, Rue Waelhem 73, Schaerbeek (telephone number: (02) 242 4905).

The one venue not to be missed is the Théâtre de Toone, Impasse Schuddeveld 6, Petite Rue de Bouchers 21 (telephone number: (02) 511 7137), where classics such as Faust and King Lear are performed by marionettes manipulated by 7 puppeteers. Performances are in French (peppered with the local dialect), Flemish and occasionally in English. It is housed in a 17th century pub and offers a good range of local beers.

Dance

De Keersmaecker’s Rosas Company is closely linked to the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, Place de la Monnaie (telephone number: (02) 229 1211), while the works of radical choreographers, also contemporary music and avant-garde theatre are often staged at the Kaaitheater, Place Sainctelette 20 (telephone number: (02) 201 5959), and Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwburg (Royal Flemish Theatre), Rue de Laeken 146 (telephone number: (02) 412 7070 or 412 7050).

Alternative music, dance and theatre is performed at the trendy Beursschouwdurg, Rue de la Caserne 37 (telephone number: (02) 513 8290). Although contemporary dance is extremely strong in Brussels, there is no dedicated dance venues. An interest in classical dance is best pursued at the Royal Ballet of Flanders in Antwerp.

Film

About 50 per cent of films are shown in English (‘VO’ – version originale), with French and Flemish subtitles. Programmes change every Wednesday. Hollywood blockbusters are shown at the 12-screen, ultra-modern UGC De Brouckère, Place de Brouckère 38 (telephone number: (0900) 10440). The cinema also puts on children’s films every Sunday morning at 1100 hrs for only €1.60 per person (standard rates are €6.60).

State-of-the-art Kinepolis, Boulevard du Centenaire 20, Bruparck (telephone number: (0900) 00555), boasts 28 auditoriums and Europe’s largest IMAX screen. The centrally located Actors Studio, Petite Rue des Bouchers 16 (telephone number: (02) 512 1696) specialises in arthouse cinema.

Cultural events

Each year, Brussels is at the heart of a lively cultural calendar, including the arts festival, Kunstenfestivaldesarts, in May, and the spectacular Ommegang procession in early July. The origins of the traditional Ommegang pageant are rooted in the 13th century, when aristocrats, the nobility and master guildsmen paid homage to the sovereign in a solemn procession today, a lively procession recreates the medieval event.

Literary Notes

Brussels sheltered Karl Marx in exile and it was here that he wrote the Communist Manifesto during February 1848. Victor Hugo was temporarily protected at Place des Barricades 4, before being exiled once again for protesting against the government’s ban on refugees.

Perhaps the best literary ambassador of Brussels is the boy reporter, Tintin, created by Hergé (Georges Remy, 1907–1983). Brussels-born Jacques Brel, the celebrated singer-songwriter of Ne Me Quitte Pas/Don’t Leave Me (1959), has been adopted by the French as their own, as have detective writer Georges Simenon, Marguerite Yourcenar and other Belgian luminaries. But Belgium developed its own national literary identity during the Symbolist movement and writers like Emile Verhaeren, Charles Van Lerberghe and Nobel Prize-winner Maurice Maeterlinck, created a misty, dreamy ambience for Art Nouveau Brussels. This taste for the fantastic and otherworldly, hidden in the hearts of staid Brussels burghers, was continued by Henri Michaux and the surreal visions of Magritte and Delvaux. Belgians have commandeered the Francophone comic book industry – Hergé is just the tip of the iceberg – proof that Belgians do whimsy and goofy charm far better than some of the French. For a British take on Brussels, readers should try the modern bestseller, Travels as a Brussels Scout (1997), by London-born author Nick Middleton.

____________Brussels Festival - Events
Brussels Festivals and Events Guide - TravelPuppy.com
The following is a selection of festival - events occurring in Brussels in 2005:
International Festival of Films of the Fantastic, Thrillers and Science Fiction March, Passage 44 and Nova.
Ars Musica Contemporary music festival, March, various venues
Baroque Spring Festival at Sablon Baroque music festival, April, Sablon district
Brussels Film Festival April, Flagey.
Zinneke Parade Cultural festival, late May, Grand-Place.
Brussels Gay Pride Early May, various venues
Brussels Jazz Marathon Late May, Grand-Place and various venues.
Kunstenfestivaldesarts Dance, theatre and opera festival, May, various venues
Couleur Café World music concerts, late June, Thurn et Taxis Building.
Visits to the Royal Palace July–September, Royal Palace.
Ommegang Procession, early July, Grand Place
Klinkende Munt, dance and outdoor music festival Early July, Place de la Monnaie.
Mini-Europe by Night Fireworks displays, Friday–Sunday mid July–mid August, Mini-Europe.
Meyboom Traditional pageant with maypole dancing, August, Place des Sablons to Grand-Place.
Flower Carpet Thousands of begonias are laid out in gorgeous designs, August, Grand-Place
Brussels Heritage Days Free admission to museums and public buildings not usually open to the general public, mid September, various venues
Audi-Jazz Festival October–November, various venues
Sablon Nights Antiques and art galleries festival, November, Sablon district
Christmas Market December, Grand Place
Ice Skating December–January, Fish Markt
Useful travel links
Festivals listing of festivals around the world

______
Brussels Getting Around
Getting Around Brussels - TravelPuppy.com
Public Transport

The integrated bus, overground and underground (prémétro) tram and métro network is operated by Société des Transports Intercommunaux Bruxellois, known as STIB (telephone number: (02) 515 2000). The system operates daily 0600–2400 hrs, and the information line is manned from Monday to Friday 0800–1900 hrs and Saturday 0800–1600 hrs. Although efficient and clean, the network is not without some problems – plans to replace the underground trams with an extended métro system have yet to materialise. However, recent improvements include the addition of lifts for handicapped passengers at Maelbeek, De Brouckère and Gare-Centrale stations. STIB information points are located at Porte de Namur, Rogier and Midi métro stations, as well as at the Anspach Shopping Centre, rue de l’Evêque.

Above ground, the métro is identified by signs bearing a white ‘M’ on a blue background. Many stations display the works of local artists and métro seats are comfortable – the service is quite pleasant even during rush hour (0730–0930 hrs and 1600–1830 hrs). Métro lines 1A and 1B form a giant ‘H’ shape. Métro line IA runs northwest to southeast, from Roi Baudouin to Herrmann-Debroux. Line 1B runs southwest to northeast, from Bizet to Stockel. Lines 1A and 1B join in the middle, running along the same lines from Beekhant to Merode, to serve the central part of the city. The incomplete circle of line 2, from Simonis to Clemenceau and follows the inner ring road underground.

Tram and bus stops are indicated by red and white signs respectively. The route number and destination are displayed on the front of the vehicles and all stops are request stops. Brussels’ bright yellow and blue trams serve the city centre and suburbs. The prémétro runs south, underneath the heart of the city from Gare du Nord, stopping at Place de Brouckère and Bourse, and Bruxelles-Midi (Eurostar terminal)with some services running on to St-Gilles and Albert.

Tickets

Tickets for the transport network are available for purchase at métro stations and newsagents. The tourist reception desk at Rue du Marché-aux-Herbes 63, and at the TIB at the Town Hall in Grand-Place sell day transport tickets and give out free maps of the network – also available at most métro stations. Tickets must be stamped at the métro ticket barrier, either prior to or upon boarding the bus or tram. Bus and overground tram tickets may also be purchased prior to or upon board the vehicle and exact change is required for the tram). Once purchased, the ticket is valid for any form of public transport, including changes. One-hour tickets (la carte d’une voyage) cost €1.40, while 10 (hour-long) journey tickets (la carte de dix voyages) cost €9. A 1-day pass (la carte d’un jour) costs €3.60 and is valid for 2 persons at weekends and holidays. A 1-day group card (maximum 5 persons) is available for €5.95 and is valid at weekends, holidays and after 0900 hrs on weekdays.

Trains

Some nine billion Euros are being pumped into the Belgian National Railways – SNCB/NMBS (telephone number: (02) 528 2828), in a 10-year modernisation plan due for completion in 2005. The service is fast and efficient. Brussels has 3 major railway stations in Brussels – Bruxelles-Central, located in the heart of the city, Bruxelles-Nord, to the north of the main ring road, and Bruxelles-Midi, to the south. They share a rail enquiries line (telephone number: (02) 555 2555). These three stations have bars, refreshments and disabled access, while Bruxelles-Midi and Bruxelles-Nord both have car parks.

Most domestic trains stop at all three stations. Eurostar trains (telephone number: (02) 528 2828) from London and Thalys express trains (telephone number: (070) 667 788) from Aachen, Amsterdam, Cologne and Paris stop at Bruxelles-Midi, the TGV (High-Speed Train) terminal.

Links to Paris with a journey time of 1 hour 30 minutes and London with a journey time of 2 hours 40 minutes are fast and efficient.

Taxis

Autolux (telephone number: (02) 411 1221) are the official taxis located in Brussels. These are marked with a blue and yellow plaque and travel from Brussels Airport to the required destination in the city.

In central Brussels, taxis are available at centrally located ranks at the major railway stations and at the Bourse, Place de Brouckère and Porte de Namur. Radio taxi companies are available to order by telephone. These include Taxis Verts (telephone number: (02) 349 4949), Taxis Orange (telephone number: (02) 349 4343) and Taxis Bleus (telephone: (02) 268 0000).

Limousines

Ganax, Brugstraat 24, 1930 Zaventem, (telephone number: (02) 720 4167; fax number: (02) 720 4695), located near the airport, offers a limousine service. Hire for 1 day, including a trilingual chauffeur/driver, costs from €430.

Driving in the City

Although commuter traffic is heavy on the outskirts of Brussels during rush hour (0730–0930 hrs and 1600–1830 hrs), the centre is relatively easy to negotiate, once the one-way system has been mastered. There is considerable ongoing work to reduce city centre traffic levels, including extensive pedestrianisation and other traffic management schemes.

In addition to car parks located in the city centre, there is pay-and-display parking in certain streets. The rules for use vary according to the time of parking. There also is a public car park under the Novotel Hotel, Rue de la Montagne. Parking rates are €12 for half a day, €2.50 for 2 hours and €1 for an hour. Rates apply Monday to Saturday 0900–1300 hrs and 1430–1900 hrs, with free street parking available on Sunday and holidays.

Car Hire

Car hire is available to drivers of 23 years and over, on presentation of a passport or identity card and valid national driving licence, held for at least 1 year.

All the major providers are present at Brussels Airport. Locations throughout the city include:

Avis, Gare du Midi (telephone number: (02) 527 1705)

Budget Rent-a-Car, at Avenue Louise 327B (telephone number: (02) 753 2170)

Europcar, Bruxelles-Midi and Chaussée de Waterloo 538 (tel: (02) 522 9573 or 345 9290)

Hertz, at Bruxelles-Midi, Boulevard Lemonnier 8 and Chaussée de Vleurgat 210 (telephone number: (02) 524 3100 or 513 2886 or 649 0015.

Prices for one day of hire start at around €70 for a small car, rising to €200 for the largest vehicles. Third Party Liability insurance should be covered by the hire rates, however, those hiring a car should always check.

Bicycle Hire

Pro Vélo, Rue de Londres 15 (telephone number: (02) 502 7355, fax number: (02) 502 8641), offers bicycles for hire at a cost of €20 for a weekend or €12 for a day, as well as guided themed tours.

_______________
Brussels International Airport
Brussels International Airport - TravelPuppy.com
Brussels international airports are links below:

Brussels Airport (BIAC)
Located 12km (8 miles) northeast of Brussels.

Brussels South Charleroi Airport
Located 55km (37 miles) south of Brussels.

_________Brussels Nightlife
Brussels Nightlife - TravelPuppy.com
Brussels’ location at the heart of Europe encourages top artists and budding stars to tour here but the city has a thriving homegrown scene of its own. Jazz has been strong since the 1920s and there is year-round live jazz in a cluster of venues, climaxing in the annual Brussels Jazz Festival. The club scene is relatively new, drawing the crowds after much lingering in the city’s many bars and Irish pubs that overflow mainly with expatriates. The legal drinking age in Belgium is 16 years and the price of a beer is approximately €2.

Aside from the tacky discos for tourists, there is the big-name-DJ-drawing The Fuse. The best send out their sounds into the night, around Place de St-Géry, Manneken-Pis and in the Marolles district. The Clubs open at 2300 hrs, heat up at midnight and survive until about 0600 hrs. Being foreign and dressed in tune with the club’s image helps the admission process along considerably, entrance is sometimes free but will more likely will cost around €7.

The Fnac, in the City 2 complex on Rue Neuve, is the best place for club tickets, although the Tourist Office on Grand-Place may be able to assist. Perhaps the highlight of the clubbing year is the Klinkende Munt outdoor music festival, held every July in Brussels at the Place de la Monnaie, Petit-Chateau and the Beursschouwburg.

Listings and information on nightlife events in Brussels can be found online (website: www.noctis.com). Tels Quels magazine (in French) has the most comprehensive gay nightlife listings.

Bars

Belgium is famous for its superb selection of beers, not least those created by Trappist monks at various monasteries throughout the country. Brussels, furthermore, has its own idiosyncratic varieties, notably Gueuze and the fruit flavoured Kriek varieties. A wide selection (over 150) of Belgian beers can be found at the Loplop Cafe, Schildknaapstraat 29).

Centrally located beer havens include La Bécasse, Rue de Tabora 11, A La Mort Subite, Rue Montagne aux Herbes Potagères, and La Rose Blanche, Grande-Place 11. Le Soleil, Rue des Capucins 63, is an intimate little bar, tailor-made for an evening of good beer and great chats.

A number of bars transform into clubs as the night wears on, including lively Le Sud, Rue de l’Ecuyer 43–5, open Thursday to Saturday. A quieter evening is on offer at the Théâtre de Toone VII, Impasse Schuddeveld 6, off Petite Rue de Bouchers, where puppets form a backdrop to the drinking. For the younger audience, the bars around Place St Géry are quite popular venues.

Casinos

There is a casino in nearby Namur. The Casino de Naumur, Avenue Baron Moreau 1, is open daily 1400–0500 hrs. Visitors are required to hold a passport or ID document and dress code is smart and strictly no trainers. 21 years is the minimum age for entry.

Clubs

Top international DJs play techno, house and jungle at The Fuse, Rue Blaes 208. Mirano Contintal, Chemin de Louvain 38, is tacky with a yuppie crowd, while Le Bal, Boulevard du Triomphe, is just tacky. Tourists might meet other tourists at Espace de Nuit, Rue Marché aux Fromages, near Grand-Place, while most of the hipper clubs have a gay and sometimes lesbian night. The Brussels trendy set goes to Les Jeux d’Hiver, Bois de la Cambre.

Live music

Jazz dominates the live music scene in the city. There is jazz on Saturday and most Sundays at L’Archiduc, Rue Antoine Dansaert 6. Frequent concerts at Fool Moon, Quai de Mariemont 26, featuring anything from jazz-funk to drum‘n’bass and some Latin music. Although VK is a trek away at Rue de l’Ecole 76, this is where alternative sounds including hip hop, rock and indie music. Magasin 4, Rue du Magasin 4, offers a more central venue for indie and hip hop.

Folk fans should try Thunderbird Café, Quai du Commerce 48, where there are usually twice-weekly gigs on offer, as well as excellent food. Informal weekend jazz ‘jam sessions’ are a feature of the LopLop Café.

The main venues for touring big-names are the Forest National, Avenue du Globe 36, and AB (Ancienne Belgique), Boulevard Anspach, for the bigger gigs, and Botanique, Rue Royale 236, and Cirque Royal, Rue de l’Enseignement 81, for smaller acts.

________Brussels Shopping
Brussels Shopping Guide - TravelPuppy.com
Brussels’ classic souvenir is chocolate. Fresh creamy pralines are for sale at Wittamer, Place du Grand-Sablon, who have had almost a century to perfect their wonderful recipes. Other names to look out for is the top-quality Neuhaus, Grand-Place 27 and Galerie de la Reine 25–27, and Godiva, also in the Grand-Place. Less expensive chocolates are available from the popular Léonidas chain, Boulevard Anspach 46.

Belgian biscuits are also a gift guaranteed to bring a guilty smile to the receiver with Dandoy, Rue au Beurre 31, produce melt-in-your-mouth macaroons and the Brussels speciality speculoos, a gingerbread biscuit with a crunch.

Beer is best bought at Bière Artisanale, Chaussée de Wavre 174 (website: www.users.skynet.be/beermania), which stocks over 400 types of beer and of course glasses to suit.

Designer clothes are clustered around the smart Avenue Louise and Avenue de la Toison d’Or. Key shopping stops on Avenue Louise include Belgian designers at Shine’s new flagship store, located at 82–84 Avenue Louise and fantastic for stunning silk dresses and floaty, Chinese-inspired creations with more down-to-earth daywear in muted tones at Caroline Biss, 21 Avenue Louise. Established and up-and-coming Belgian designers such as Olivier Strelli, Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten and Carine Lauwers are located in the fashionable Rue Antoine Dansaert. Innovative Stijl has more avant-garde Belgian designer clothes, by designers such as Xavier Delcour and Olivier Theyskens, at number 74, underwear at number 47 and children’s clothes at Kat en Muis, number 32.

Children’s and adults’ tastes alike are met at Brussels’ many comic book shops including the centrally located La Boutique Tintin, Rue de la Colline 13.

Brussels lace is on show at the Lace Museum, Rue de la Violette 6 is for sale at F Rubbrecht, Grand-Place 23, or at the city’s largest lace maker, Manufacture Belge de Dentelle, Galerie de la Reine 6–8. The other souvenir lace shops around Grand-Place are less authentic.

Every day is market day in the different parts of the city. Among the best of these is the flower market, open Tuesday to Sunday 0800–1800 hrs, at Grand-Place, also the site of the Sunday morning bird market.

Antiques are sold at the market on Place du Grand-Sablon, Saturday 0900–1800 hrs and Sunday 0900–1300 hrs, while the flea market at Place du Jeu de Balle, in the Marolles district, is open daily 0700–1300 hrs, at its best on weekend mornings. A more high street experience, however, is at hand at City 2 shopping mall, in the shop-studded Rue Neuve, where shops stay open on Fridays until 2000 hrs.

Standard shopping hours are 1000–1800/1900 hrs but the Grand-Place area stays open until approximately 2000 hrs.

Sales tax is 21 per cent and can be refunded to non-EU citizens by any of the shops affiliated to Global Refund Belgium (telephone number: (02) 479 9461, fax number: (02) 478 3664, e-mail: taxfree@be.globalrefund.com, website: www.globalrefund.com). Shops participating will issue a global refund cheque, which should be stamped at customs and then cashed upon leaving the country.

___________Brussels Sightseeing
Brussels Sightseeing Guide - TravelPuppy.com
Sightseeing Overview

With the exception of Grand-Place and the narrow streets nearby, sightseeing in Brussels is relatively easy and crowd free. Brussels offers a remarkable choice of over 90 museums, some tiny and some international in scale. All the museums have bilingual labelling (French and Dutch/Flemish). English is not always used but English-language leaflets are usually available on request. In recent years, signposting of Brussels’ top museums and major monuments has been improved, making sightseeing easier.

The historic centre around Grand-Place is home to a cluster of alluring museums, including museums dedicated to beer, chocolate and lace-making. Certain sights and sensations are obligatory, including glimpsing the trickle of water flowing from the Manneken-Pis and making a wish while touching the ghoulish bronze statue of Charles-Everard de T’Serclaes – said to bring good luck.

The public transport system works well to safely deposit the walk-weary tourist in Brussels’ distinct districts:

The modern Quartier des Institutions Européennes, aristocratic Sablon, near the Place Royal, vibrant working class Marolles, south of Grand-Place, St-Gilles, with its splendid examples of Victor Horta’s Art Nouveau architecture, and Heysel, far out to the northwest, with its memories of the triumph of the 1958 Exhibition and the tragedy of the Heysel stadium disaster.

Tourist Information

Brussels International Tourism and Congress (BITC)
Hôtel de Ville, Grand-Place
Telephone number: (02) 513 8940. Fax number: (02) 513 8320.
E-mail: info@brusselstourism.be
Website: www.tib.be

Opening hours: Daily 0900–1800 hrs (April–October), Monday–Saturday 0900–1800 hrs, Sunday 1000–1400 hrs (October–December), Monday–Saturday 0900–1800 hrs (December–March).

Passes

The Brussels Card gives free access to museums and STIB public transport for a period of 3 days. It also offers a 25 per cent discount for the Visit Brussels tourist bus, the Restaurant Léon de Bruxelles and the Théâtre de Toone is available in museums, tourist offices and hotels at a cost of €30.

Key Attractions

Grand-Place

A web of narrow cobbled streets suddenly opens out into the vast Grand-Place, the economic and social heart of Brussels since the Middle Ages. The array of filigree Gothic buildings is dominated by the asymmetrical Hôtel de Ville, built during the 15th century. Its 96m (315ft) spire is topped with a gilded copper statue of St Michael. The Town Hall opposite and almost as grand is the Maison du Roi, commissioned in 1515 and faithfully rebuilt in the 1890s. Sometime pied-à-terre of the Hapsburg monarchy, the building now hosts the Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles and its small collection includes tapestries and altarpieces, as well as the costumes worn by the Manneken-Pis. A series of lavish Guildhouses complete the rectangle of the square and number ten still houses the guild of brewers, Maison de l’Arbre d’Or.

Grand-Place
Transport: Métro Bourse, De Brouckère or Gare Centrale.

Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles
Telephone number: (02) 279 4355. Fax number: (02): 279 4362.
Opening hours: Tuesday–Friday 1000–1700 hrs, Saturday and Sunday 1000–1300 hrs.

Manneken-Pis

The Rue de l’Etuve leads from the grandeur of the Grand-Place to this allegory of irreverence and symbol of Bruxellois self-mockery – a bronze statuette of a urinating boy. If it were not for the occupation of the young child, the sculpture might resemble an angelic putto, such as the ones decorating the façade of the nearby Bourse (Stock Exchange), said to have been sculpted by Rodin. Jérôme Duquesnoy cast Manneken-Pis in the 1660s, perhaps as a reference to the peasant lads of legend, who extinguished fires with their urine. Manneken-Pis is regularly kitted out in a choice of some 500 outfits supplied by companies, charities and other organisations wishing to promote their brand.

Rue de l’Etuve
Transport: Métro Bourse.

Place du Grand-Sablon

The Place du Grand-Sablon remains laid-back even though its the smartest square in town. Notre-Dame du Sablon dominates the square although it began as a humble chapel for the guild of archers, the arrival of a statue of Mary – with reputed magical healing properties – from Antwerp, in 1348, dramatically increased its popularity. The building was expanded into an impressive Gothic church, which still hosts the annual Ommegang procession. The area is a major centre for antiques dealers and hosts an busy antique and books market at weekends.

It is well worth a wander through the Sablon district. Intriguing cul-de-sacs lead off from the square to shady spaces – such as the charming Impasse Saint-Jacques. The nearby Place du Petit-Sablon is a small, green square, surrounded by 48 bronze statuettes representing the 16th-century guilds, with larger statues at its heart, including the martyr-heroes, Egmont and Hornes, and Mercator, the cartographer.

Place du Grand-Sablon
Transport: Bus 20, 34, 48, 95 or 96, tram 92, 93 or 94.

Notre-Dame du Sablon
Opening hours: Monday–Friday 0900–1800 hrs, Saturday–Sunday 1000–1800 hrs.
Admission: Free.

Palais Royal (Royal Palace)

Many of Brussels’ most opulent buildings and key attractions are clustered around the centrally located Parc de Bruxelles, a formal 1870s park with poker-straight tree-lined avenues and a central fountain. The southeast edge is graced by the Palais des Académies, a former residence of the Prince of Orange and Place du Trône, an impressive statue of Léopold II astride a horse. Nearby, Brussel’s Royal Palace and museums are congregated. Opposite the Parc de Bruxelles lies the Palais Royal, begun by King William I (1815–30) in the 19th century and later expanded by Léopold II. The royal family now resides in Laeken, in northern Brussels. However, the palace is still used as royal office and also for state functions. From the end of July until early September, the palace, with its Throne Room, chandeliers, tapestries and gracious dining room opens its doors to the public.

Rue Bredeorde 16
Telephone number: (02) 551 2020. Fax number: (02) 502 3949.
Website: www.belgium.fgov.be
Transport: Métro Trône or Parc, tram 92, 93 or 94, bus 20, 21, 22, 34, 38, 54, 60, 71, 95 or 96.

Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 1030–1730 hrs (late July–early September).
Admission: Free.

Musées Bellevue (Bellevue Musuems)

The Musées Bellevue comprises of two sites – the Musée de la Dynastie and the Mémorial Roi Baudouin. Both are located in the Hôtel Bellevue, an 18th-century mansion erected on the ruins of the 11th-century castle of the Dukes of Brabant and standing between the Place des Palais and Place Royale.

The Musée de la Dynastie displays royal memorabilia, from paintings to documents and sculpture, evoking the public and private lives of Belgian royalty and the events that shaped their reign. The Mémorial Roi Baudouin pays homage to the 43-year reign of King Baudouin, much loved by the Belgian people and sadly mourned, following his death during 1993. The memorial traces the life of Leopold III’s eldest son, from the untimely death of his mother to his early reign as king after the abdication of his father – and key events during his reign, from the end of colonisation to the independence of the Congo and federalisation of Belgium.

Hôtel Bellevue, Place des Palais 7
Telephone number: (02) 512 2821 or 545 0801 (for guided tours). Fax number: (02) 511 4253.
E-mail: bellvue@kbs-frb.be
Website: www.musbellevue.be
Transport: Métro Trône or Parc, tram 92, 93 or 94, bus 20, 21, 22, 34, 38, 54, 60, 71, 95 or 96.

Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 1000–1700 hrs.
Admission: €6.20.

Muséum des Sciences Naturelles (Museum of Natural Sciences)

Near to the European Parliament and containing what is claimed to be one of the finest dinosaur collections in the world – ‘starring’ the iguanadons of Bernissart – this fascinating museum additionally features a special presentation on the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Visitors can take a 1000m (3281ft) ‘dive’ to witness a fight between a sperm whale and a giant squid. All forms of wildlife, extinct and extant, plus mineralogy, are on show here.

Rue Vautier 29
Telephone number: (02) 627 4238, guided tours (02) 627 4234. Fax number: (02) 627 4113.
Website: www.naturalsciences.be
Transport: Métro Maelbeek, bus 12, 20, 21, 22, 34, 38, 54, 59, 60, 80, 95 or 96.

Opening hours: Monday–Friday 0930–1645 hrs, Saturday–Sunday 1000–1800 hrs.
Admission: €4.

Musée du Cinquantenaire (Cinquantenaire Museum)

Everything conceived by Léopold II was on a grandiose scale and the Parc du Cinquantenaire,is no exception and built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Belgian independence. The Musée de l’Armée, situated in the north wing, has an interesting display of vintage aircraft and entrance is free of charge. However, the Musée du Cinquantenaire, formerly known as the Musées Royaux d’Art et d’Histoire, is the major draw card of the area. Boasting collections from 5 continents, ranging from prehistory to the present, it includes Art Nouveau furniture designed by Victor Horta and fine examples of centuries-old lace. Comic strip fans might find some pieces familiar – the large Egyptian collection was the source of inspiration for Belgium’s artists, including Hergé.

Parc du Cinquantenaire 10
Telephone number: (02) 741 7211. Fax number: (02) 733 7735.
Transport: Train/métro Mérode or Schuman, tram 81 or 82 (to Mérode), bus 20 or 80 (to Nerviens), 22 (to Cinquantenaire), 61 (to Mérode), 28, 36 or 67 (to Schuman).

Opening hours: Tuesday–Friday 0930–1700 hrs, Saturday–Sunday 1000–1700 hrs.
Admission: €4.

Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique (Belgian Royal Museums of Fine Art)

The most important of Belgium’s museum complexes is situated near to the Place Royal. It boasts 2 rich museums, their collections ranging from the 14th century to the modern day – the Musée d’Art Ancien (Museum of Ancient Art), housed in the former court of Charles de Lorraine, and the underground Musée d’Art Moderne (Museum of Modern Art), inaugurated in 1984.

The Musée d’Art Ancien excels in its collection of the Old Masters, with works by Rubens, Bouts and Memling. Collections of Brueghel the Elder and Younger and Hieronymus Bosch are small, as Belgium’s foreign masters took most of these treasures away with them. A passageway leads to Musée d’Art Moderne, with its splendid collection of the Belgian Surrealists. René Magritte is given pride of place, although the haunting works of Paul Delvaux are also of interest. Picasso, Chagall, Henry Moore and Francis Bacon are also represented.

Rue de la Régence 3
Telephone number: (02) 508 3211. Fax number: (02) 508 3232.
E-mail: info@fine-arts-museum.be
Website: www.fine-arts-museum.be
Transport: Gare Centrale; tram 92, 93 or 94 (to Royale), bus 20, 34, 38. 60, 71, 95 or 96.

Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 1000–1200 hrs and 1300–1700 hrs.
Admission: €5.

Further Distractions

Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée (Belgian Centre for Comic Strips)

The history of the Belgian comic strip, including its links with silent movies and animation, is displayed throughout the airy and uplifting Grand Magasin Waucquez, designed by Victor Horta. Original drawings by early masters – such as André Franquin, who created accident-prone Gaston Lagaffe, and Georges Remi (Hergé), who breathed life into Tintin – are complemented by modern-day cartoons, temporary exhibitions, an exhaustive academic library, children’s library and a brasserie.

Rue des Sables 20
Telephone number: (02) 219 1980. Fax number: (02) 219 2376.
Website: www.cbbd-bcb.org
Transport: Train/métro Gare Centrale, Botanique, Rogier, tram 3, 52, 55, 56, 81, 90, 92, 93, 94, bus 38, 58 or 61.

Opening hours: Daily 1000–1800 hrs.
Admission: €6.20

Musée Horta (Horta Museum)

Victor Horta (1885–1946) worked to produce some 110 buildings, first in neo-Gothic style, famously in Art Nouveau and latterly in sparse Modernist style. Many including the Hôtel Solvay, Avenue Louise 224, and Hôtel Van Eetvelde at Avenue Palmerston 4, are still standing. However, the Musée Horta being the architect’s former home and studio is beautifully preserved and open to the public. Attention to detail sweeps through the whole building, from the vertical letterbox and finely scripted number 25 on the façade to the sculpted staircase and dining room floor, where a marble mosaic encircles the finest American ash. A theatrical arrangement of secret front doors allowed the architect to welcome guests from different religious and social backgrounds without their being aware of each other’s presence.

Rue Américaine 25
Telephone number: (02) 543 0490. Fax number: (02) 538 7631.
E-mail: musee.horta@horta.irisnet.be
Website: www.hortamuseum.be
Transport: Tram 81, 82, 91 or 92, bus 54 or 60.

Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 1400–1730 hrs.
Admission: €4.95.

Atomium and Mini-Europe

Léopold II bequeathed the 202-hectare (500-acre) estate of Heysel to the city of Brussels, in 1909. The large exhibition spaces are located here, to the northwest of the centre. The most famous landmark, however, is the Atomium – a giant model of an oxygen molecule, built for the 1958 World Fair as a temporary structure, although never dismantled. The highest sphere gives a panoramic view of the whole area. The science exhibition is of interest only to young children. Close by Mini-Europe shrinks Europe to a size that can be covered in a short walk, with faithful miniatures of the Eiffel Tower, Westminster and the Berlin Wall in the process of being dismantled. The year 2002 welcomed in the restoration of the model of the Cathedral of Saint Jacques de Compostella to its former glory.

Atomium
Boulevard du Centenaire
Telephone number: (02) 475 4776. Fax number: (02) 475 4779.
Website: www.atomium.be
Transport: Métro Heysel, bus 84 or 99, tram 23 or 81.

Opening hours: Daily 0900–1900 hrs (April–August), daily 1000–1730 hrs (September–March).
Admission: €5.45-€15

Mini-Europe
Bruparck, Boulevard du Centenaire
Telephone number: (02) 474 1311. Fax number: (02) 478 2675.
E-mail: info@minieurope.com
Website: www.minieurope.com
Transport: Métro Heysel; bus 84 or 99, tram 23 or 81.

Opening hours: Daily 0930–1700 hrs (April–June), Monday–Thursday 0930–1900 hrs, Friday–Sunday 0930–2300 hrs (July–August), daily 0930–1700 hrs (September–December).
Admission: €11-€15

Musée des Instruments de Musique (Musical Instrument Museum)

Situated in the splendid Victor Horta-designed Art Nouveau Old England Building, at the Place Royale, the Musical Instrument Museum is home to a collection of instruments as well as information and activities covering ancient, modern and traditional music. A 200-seat concert hall hosts regular concerts, which are organised to coincide with the various themes of the exhibitions.

Place Royale, Montagne de la Cour 2
Telephone number: (02) 545 0130. Fax number: (02) 545 0178.
Transport: Métro line 1A or 1B to Gare-Centrale or Park, tram 92, 93 or 94 to Royale, bus 20, 38, 60, 71, 95 or 96 to Royale.

Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 0930–1700 hrs, Thurs 0930–2000 hrs, Saturday and Sunday 1000–1700 hrs.
Admission: €5


_____________
Brussels Sports
Brussels Sports Guide - TravelPuppy.com
Athletics

The major athletics event is the annual Ivo van Damme Memorial IAHF Grand Prix (telephone number: (02) 878 2025) held in the Stade Roi Baudouin in late August/early September. Amateurs take part in the Brussels 20km (12-mile) circular race held annually in May/June, which starts and finishes at the Esplanade du Cinquantenaire (telephone number: (02) 511 9000).

Cycling

Belgium has an impressive record in the cycling world and Eddy Merckx did a fine PR job for the country by repeatedly winning the Tour de France in the 1960s and 1970s. His glory still lives on, celebrated annually in the Eddy Merckx Grand Prix, on the last Sunday of August. A more amateur affair follows the same 22km (14-mile) trip from the Gare du Nord to Heysel (telephone number: (02) 502 7355).

Football

Brussels’ football clubs, RWDM and Union St-Gilloise, have their fans but RSC Anderlecht has a faithful following who support the team at Stade Constant Vanden Stock, Avenue Théo Verbeeck 2 (telephone number: (02) 522 1539). Anderlecht frequently is at the top of the home league and sometimes makes it into the Champions League. Passions were raised to fever pitch in the European Championships 2000, which was hosted jointly by Belgium and Holland in a renamed and reconstructed stadium, Stade Roi Baudouin, Heysel (telephone number: (02) 474 3940). The stadium hosts the Belgian national team’s home games and the cup final. Tickets to football matches are available through Maison du Football (telephone number: (02) 477 1211).

Fitness Centres

The vast Physical Golden Club, Place du Chatelain 33 (telephone number: (02) 539 3036), offers weights machines and fitness classes and has the added kudos of being the place where Jean-Claude van Damme started his action movie career. Martial arts classes are very popular. The day pass costs €25. For the ultra well-heeled, Champneys (telephone number: (02) 542 4666/67) has opened up next to the Conran Hotel, 71B Avenue Louise. A ‘spa discover day’ costs from €105.

Golf

The 18-hole Royal Amicale Anderlecht Golf Club, Rue Scholle 1 (telephone number: (02) 521 1687), is located within Brussels itself. The club charges €33 for a day of golfing during the week and €50 during weekends, when prior reservation is recommended. Membership is not required.

Brabantse Golf, Steenwagenstraat 11, Melsbroek (telephone number: (02) 751 8205), is situated close to the airport. Membership is required and green fees are €30 weekdays and €45 at the weekend.

There are 2 18-hole courses at Royal Zoute Golf Club, Caddiespad 14, Knokke-le-Zoute (telephone number: (050) 623 029), located 100km (60 miles) north of Brussels in the seaside town of Knokke-le-Zoute. Visitors are welcome and the green fees are €55–95, depending on the handicap of the player. Alternatively, there are 11 courses around Waterloo, just south of Brussels, offering golfing opportunities through a programme called Golf Pass Walloon Brabant.

The Fédération Royal Belge de Golf (telephone number: (02) 672 2389) can provide information on Belgium’s golf courses. Several golfing packages are available in a programme created by Martins Hotels (website: www.passbw.com).

Swimming

There are plenty of pools in the sports centre in Brussels. The one at the Centre Sportif de Woluwe St-Pierre, Avenue Salomé 2 (telephone number: (02) 762 8522) is Olympic-sized. Océade, Bruparck (telephone number: (02) 478 4944), within splashing distance of Mini-Europe, is a modern ‘fun’ baths.

Tennis and squash

The Centre Sportif de Woluwe St-Pierre, Avenue Salomé 2 (telephone number: (02) 762 8522), has squash, badminton and tennis courts.

________Brussels Tours - Excursions
Brussels Tours Guide - TravelPuppy.com
Walking Tours

The city centre of Brussels is tailor-made for walking tours as its quite compact. The Brussels Tourist Office (telephone number: (02) 513 8940) offers 3-hour guided tours on a variety of themes – architecture, history, culture, cartoons, gastronomy and classical Brussels. Departure points vary depending on the tour. Among the tours offered are a guided tour of 18th-century Brussels, the Charles de Lorraine tour and a walk in the footsteps of Jacques Brel. Tours cost from €85. Highly recommended are underground visits at Palais Royal, to original 14th-century streets.

Bus Tours

Open-top, hop-on hop-off bus tours are available from Visit Brussels Line (telephone number: (02) 513 7744), and City Sightseeing (telephone number: (02) 466 1111, e-mail: info@open-tours.com). Prices start at €13.50 and tickets are valid for 24 hours. The bus leaves from Centraal Station and stops at many famous sights, such as the Atomium, Grand-Place and the Mannekin Pis, on this round trip. Both companies offer a range of other tour options, including excursions to other Belgian cities including Bruge and Antwerp.

Excursions for Half a Day

Bruges

The heyday of Bruges lasted from the 13th century, when merchants became rich from the cloth trade, until the silting of the Zwin River brought about the city’s rapid decline. Bruges remains one of the most beautifully preserved medieval cities in Europe and is Belgium’s top tourist attraction. Visitors can explore charming streets and canals, packed with small restaurants, atmospheric cafés and a cluster of interesting museums and churches. Michelangelo’s delicate marble Madonna and Child lies within the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk (Church of Our Lady). Although situated some 80km (50 miles) west of Brussels, Bruges is well connected by public transport and motorways and is just a 1-hour train or bus ride away. The Tourist Office, Burg 11 (telephone number: (050) 448 686, website: www.bruges.be), can provide information.

For a Whole Day

Antwerp

Located 40km (25 miles) north of Brussels, Antwerp is tucked into the east bank of a bend in the Schelde River. Its largely quadri-lingual inhabitants – known as Sinjorens – are proud of the history and culture of their city, which reached its apogee in the 16th century. Masterpieces by Rubens and Van Dyck are on display at the Museum voor Schone Kunsten (Royal Museum of Fine Art), Léopold De Waelplaats (telephone number: (03) 238 7809).

Antwerp is also a thriving port, the world’s leading diamond centre and now also an international fashion capital. Antwerp’s Centraal Station is easily reached by train from all 3 of Brussels’ principal stations. The Tourist Office, Grote Markt 15 (telephone number: (03) 232 0103), can provide a wealth of information on the city.

Namur

Southeast of Brussels, Namur is a picturesque town with a hilltop citadel, which indicates its historic military importance at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers. Down by the riverbanks, meanwhile, there are pretty pedestrianised streets packed with interesting shops, fine old churches and a handful of good museums. The pick of these is the Trésor du Prieuré d’Oignies, housed in a convent at 17 Rue Julie Billiart, and boasting an exquisite collection of gold and silver work.

Namur also has some top restaurants and a buzzing nightlife, thanks to its many university students located here. More information can be obtained from the Tourist Office, Place Léopold (telephone number: (081) 246 449), which is a 2-minute walk from the station. Namur is easily accessible from all 3 stations in Brussels.
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________Accommodation

Hilton Brussels City
address: Place Rogierplein 20, 1210, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 125-220

Tulip Inn Brussels City Centre
address: Chaussée de Charleroi 17, Brussels

Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo
address: Rue de l'Amigo 1-3, 1000, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 124,5-850

New Continental Flat Hotel
address: 33 Rue de Facqz, 1050, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 41,5-115

Floris Grand Place
address: Rue des Harengs 6-8, 1000, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 95-105

Eurostars Royal Embassy Grand Place
address: Boulevard Anspach, 159-163, B-1000, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 57-340

NH Stephanie 
address: Rue Jean Stas 32, 1060, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 69-250

Melia Avenue Louise Boutique Hotel 
address: Rue Blanche, 4, 1000, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 100-260 

NH Atlanta
address: Boulevard A. Max 7, 1000, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 84-325

Scandinavia Hotel Brussels 
address: Chaussee de Mons 115-117, 1070, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 40-160 

Novotel Brussels Off Grand Place 
address: Rue du Marché aux Herbes 120, 1000, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 82,5-184

Hotel Queen Anne
address: Boulevard Emile Jacqmain 110, 1000, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 52-160

Golden Tulip Stephanie
address: Rue Jean Stas 32 

Sheraton Brussels Hotel &Towers
address: Place Rogier 3, 1210, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 102-345

Hotel Du Congres
address: 42, Rue Du Congres, 1000, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 60-120

Hotel Vendôme
address: Boulevard Adolphe Max 98, 1000, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 62-295

Best Western Premier Sodehotel La Woluwe 
address: Avenue E. Mounier 5, 1200, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 74,5-330

Brussels Royotel
address: Rue Royale 312, 1210, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 49-65

Hotel Ibis Brussels Centre Ste Catherine
address: Rue Joseph Plateau 2, 1000, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 69-115

Le Prince de Liège
address: Chaussée de Ninove 664, 1070, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 70-100 

First Euroflat Hotel
address: Boulevard Charlemagne 50, 1000, Brussels
CostOfDoubleForANight: EUR 108-232
__________Eating Out 

L'Achepot 
address: 1 place Ste Cathérine, 1000 Brussels
tel: 02 - 511 62 21

La Bonne Humeur
address: 244 chaussée de Louvain, 1030 Brussels
tel: 02 - 230 71 69

Les 4 Saisons
address: 2 Rue de l’Homme Chrétien
tel: +32 (2) 505 51 00

Brasserie Au Beaumes de Venise
address: 62 Rue Darwin
tel: +32 (2) 343 82 93

Bruneau
address: 75 Avenue Broustin
tel: +32 (2) 427 69 78

La Rose Blanche - De witte roos
address: Grand Place, Grote Markt 11
tel: 02 - 513 64 79

Comme Chez Soi
tel: +32 (2) 512 29 21

La Mosaïque
address: 23 Rue Forestière
tel: +32 (2) 649 02 35
_______________Shopping

Brussels Shopping
Rue Neuve/Nieuwstraat

Antiek- en Rommelmarkt 
address: Vossenplein/Place du jeu de Balle

Sint-Hubertus and Ilot Sacré
A Dansaertstraat/Rue A Dansaert
_________Nightlife and Entertainment

Le Java
address: 14 rue St Géry
tel: 02 512 3716
ClosingTime: 5

Snooker

Le Greenwich
address: Rue des Chartreux 7

Sint-Goorikshallen area

Le Bazaar
address: rue des Capucins 63

Le Parisiana 54 
address: A Rue du Pont Neuf
tel: +32-2-2230468

Mystère
address: Place Fontainas 4
tel: +32-2-5122199

Le Cactus
address: Boulevard du Souverain 147
tel: +32-2-6726701

The Sparrow 
address: Rue Duquesnoy 18
tel: +32-2-5126622

Les Jeux d’hiver
address: Bois de la Cambre
tel: +32-2-6490864

Le bal 
address: Boulevard du Triomphe 47
tel: +32-2-6493500

Le Malibu
address: Rue François Beeckmans 54
tel: +32-2-4204005

Movy Club 
address: Rue des moines 21
tel: Tel: +32-2-5376954

Kinepolis 
address: Avenue du Centenaire 1
tel: +32-2-4780450

Musée du Cinema
address: Rue Baron Horta 9
tel: +32-2-507 83 70

Aventure
address: Galerie du Centre 57
tel: +32-2-2191748

http://www.paesionline.it/hotel_alberghi_bruxelles.asp

Hotel Sheraton Brussels & Towers
Place Rogier 3 - 1210 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - North Train Station
Hotel Stanhope
Rue du Commerce 9 - 1000 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - European Union
Hotel Le Châtelain All Suite
Rue du Châtelain 17 - 1000 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Louise Avenue
Hotel Manos Premier
100-106 chaussée de Charleroi - 1060 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Louise Avenue
Chaochow Palace
Rue de Brabant 80 - 1210 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - North Train Station
President World Trade Centre
Boulevard du Roi Albert II 44 - 1000 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - North Train Station
New Hotel Charlemagne
Boulevard Charlemagne 25-27 - 1000 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - European Union
Hotel Chelton
Rue Véronèse 48 - 1000 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - European Union
Hotel Hesperia Grand Place
Rue de Colonies 10-12 - 1000 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Center South
Jolly Hotel Du Grand Sablon
Rue Bodenbroeck 2-4 - 1000 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Center South
Hotel Le Dôme
Boulevard du Jardin Botanique 9-13 - 1000 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Center North
Hotel Président Centre
Rue Royale 160 - 1000 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Center North
Hotel Ascot
Place Loix 1 - 1060 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Louise Avenue
Hotel Manos Stéphanie
28 chaussée de Charleroi - 1060 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Louise Avenue
Hotel Van Belle
Chaussée de Mons 39 - 1070 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Eurostar/Thalys
Hotel Hampshire Inn - Brussels
Square Victoria Regina 9 - 1210 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - North Train Station

Hotel Des Colonies
Rue des Croisades 6-10 - 1210 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - North Train Station
Hotel Ustel
Square de l'Aviation 6-8 - 1070 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Center South
Hotel Aristote
Avenue de Stalingrad 7 - 1000 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Center South
Royal Embassy Grand Place
Boulevard Anspach 159-163 - 1000 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Center North
Hotel Président Nord
Boulevard Adolphe Max 107 - 1000 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Center North
Hotel Astrid Centre
Place du Samedi 11 - 1000 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Center North
Hotel Floris Grand Place
Rue des Harengs 6-8 - 1000 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Center North
Catalonia Forum Art Hotel
Avenue du Haut-Pont 2 - Saint Gilles - 1060 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Louise Avenue
Hotel Capital
Chaussée de Vleurgat 191 - 1050 Bruxelles
Bruxelles -
De Boeck's
Rue Veydt 40 - 1050 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Louise Avenue
Albert
Rue Royale Sainte-Marie 27 - 1030 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - North Train Station
Hotel Sabina
Rue du Nord 78 - 1000 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Center North
Hotel Opéra
Rue Grétry 53 - 1000 Bruxelles
Bruxelles - Center North

BRUSSELS BLD TULIP INN *** Avenue du Boulevard 171210 -
BRUSSELS ROYOTEL ** Rue Royale 3121210 Bruxelles -
AMIGO ***** 118-126 Bld Adolphe Max1000 Brussels -
PRESIDENT CENTRE **** 160 rue Royale1000 Brussels -
PRESIDENT NORD *** 107 bld Adolphe Max1000 Brussels -

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Brussels Travel Guide
Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see
Brussels - Fontaine des comtes d'Egmont et de Hornes

Brussels - Fontaine des comtes d'Egmont et de Hornes

irc
Beer, waffles and festivals - if this is what you’re looking for you will find them in abundance when you visit the Belgium’s capital city (pop: 1 000 000). Brussels is the major gateway for the country: it is on the main route heading inland from the Channel ports via the Flemish art towns, and it is also a convenient stopover on the train between France and the Netherlands.

Brussels took its name from “Broekzele”, or “city of the marsh”, which developed in the sixth century on the trade route between Cologne and Brugges / Gent. Under the Habsburgs the town flourished, eventually becoming capital of the Spanish Netherlands. In the 19th century it became the capital of the newly-independent Belgium. Although nowadays, the city is often primarily regarded as a destination for businesspeople or diplomats — it is the headquarters for the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) — there is plenty to see and do for other travelers. ‘Manneken Pis’, plenty of impressive museums, delicious chocolate and a city centre divided into the upper and the lower town with a beautiful cathedral and the Grote Markt where you can enjoy your Belgian beers. Brussels requires a minimum of two nights to get a feeling for the city but an even longer stay should be planned if there is a festival in town.

While Brussels is a safe city, some areas are prone to crime, especially at night. Be careful when walking near the westward arc between North and Midi railway stations and Rogier and De Brouckere Metro stations.

Note: Brussels is an international city, and there is a parity between the French and Flemish-speaking Belgians. As a result, every instance of the written word, from road signs to the yellow pages, appears in both languages.

__________Sights
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Grote markt-Grand place

Grote markt-Grand place

Dr.Murali Mohan Gurram
The centre of the city can be divided into two parts: the upper town made up of broad boulevards and stately buildings and the lower town a maze of narrow medieval lanes surrounding the ornate 12th-century Grand Place one of the most perfectly preserved of all market squares in Europe. The many faces of Brussels are expressed in the four quarters of the city, which are a must for every visitor.

First of all, there is the Lower Town, which extends from Manneken Pis (statue of little boy urinating) via the Grand Place with its guild houses and the town hall to the Botanique. The Royal District in the Upper Town occupies the area between the Warande and the impressive Palace of Justice. In the North of the City lies the Heizel with the Atomium and Bruparck. Just outside the city centre you will find the Cinquantenaire park and the European District. Cinquantenaire Park with its triumphal arch and military art and history museums provides a calm respite from the bustle of the city.

There are multiple interesting museums showing exhibitions relating to subjects such as Brussels' history, famous painters and even Brussels' comic cartoon art.

Contributors
June 08, 2005 change by giorgio
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Historical Buidlings
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Autoworld
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Autoworld opens its doors and invites you to discover the automotive history through a unique and outstanding collection : more than 300 vehicles, of all origins.

Horse-drawn coaches, two-doors sport sedan from back in the Fifties, dream limos, popular cars… And let us not forget the Motorcycles and the Commercial vehicles!

A must for people who love old-timers. Open from 10am until 5pm (closed on Mondays) (November -March) From 10am until 6pm (closed on Mondays) (April - October)
type: general
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: Jubelpark/ Parc du Cinquantenaire 11
tel: 02 736 41 65
url: www.autoworld.be
openings: until 5pm (closed on Mondays) (November -March) From 10am until 6pm (closed on Mondays) (April - October)
Notre Dame du Sablon
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type: Religious Buildings
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: Rue de la Regence
Grand Place
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Grote markt-Grand place
Grote markt-Grand place
photo by: Dr.Murali Mohan Gurram

The most famous and finest square in the Lower Town area. After a bombardment in 1695, the city hall was the only building that remained standing. The guild houses have their own specific frontage but they are all in complete harmony with each other.
type: Squares
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Zavel District
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This antiques district of Brussels, with the Gothic Zavelkerk and leading to the Kapellekerk, where Pieter Bruegel is buried. The painter lived and worked in the Marolles, the Brussel working-class district par excellence, with the Vossenplein at its heart, where a daily bric-a-brac, antique and flea market takes place. The Marolles district is dominated by the imposing Palace of Justice, which is also the largest public building in Europe. In the centre of this excellent antique district, you’ll find Brussels most fashionable neighbourhood, the Grand Sablon Square.
type: Quarters
World66 rating: [rate it]
Royal Museum of the Army and Military History
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Open from 9am till 12am and from 1pm till 4:30pm (closed on Mondays). Entrance to the huge exhibition of military airplanes is free.
type: general
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: Jubelpark/ Parc du Cinquantenaire 3
tel: 02 737 79 07
Musical Instrument Museum
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The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) exhibits a large collection of musical instruments. It also offers a large diversity of activities and a hands on approach for children visiting the museum. The MIM is in the Old England Building, one of the nicest Art Nouveau buildings in Brussels. The nice cafeteria has a panoramic view over Brussels and is open for the public without entrance fee.
type: general
World66 rating: [rate it]
email: info@mim.fgov.be
address: Rue Montagne de la Cour 2, 1000 Brussels
openings: Tuesday to Thursday 9h30 à 17h; Saturday and Sunday 10h à 17h
tel: +32 / (0)2 / 545.01.30
url: www.mim.fgov.be
Palais Royal
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type: Historical Buidlings
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: Place des Palais
tel: +322 551 2020
Grote Markt District (Lower Area)
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At the heart of the city, this is where you’ll find the finest square and some of the finest buildings in Brussels. On the square is the 16th-century Maison du Roi (Broodhuis) now known as the Manneken-Pis Museum named for the country’s small 17th-century bronze statue of a boy relieving himself in the classic fountain pose. The Manneken-Pis Fountain itself is regarded by the Belgians with the reverence usually reserved for religious icons—there are some 100 outfits for the statue on display at the museum and there is considerable ceremony attached to changing the boy’s more..
type: Hotspots
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The Belgian Centre for Comic Strip Art
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The history of comic strip art presented in a marvellous building. Nearby, in the Zandstraat, you will find the National Comic Strip Centre, better known as the Strip Museum. In this typical Art Nouveau house, you can see the work of over a hundred Belgian cartoon strip artists. Opening hours from 10am to 6pm.
type: Museums
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: Zandstraat / Rue des Sables 20
tel: 02 219 19 80
Cinquantenaire and European district
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The headquarters of the European Commission and the European Council of Ministers is near the Schuman roundabout. The European Parliament is in the Leopoldwijk area.

The Triumphal Arch dominates the Cinquantenaire Park with the Royal Museum of Art and History, the Army Museum and Autoworld, the largest museum of old cars in the world. For the Museum of Natural Sciences, the most modern of its kind, you should go to the Waversesteenweg.
type: Quarters
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City Museum
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The Museum of the City of Brussel is housed in the Broodhuis. You can admire early paintings by Breugel, as well as the entire wardrobe of Manneken Pis, Brussels' most famous citizen. In the Stoofstraat behind the city hall, you will find the statue of the little rascal, who has been pissing here since 1691. Open Monday to Thursday (April to October) from 10am till 12.30pm and from 1.30pm till 5pm. Monday to Thursday (Nov. to March ) till 4pm. Weekends from 10am till 1pm.
type: Museums
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: Grote Markt/ Grand'Place
tel: 02 279 43 50
Museum of Modern Art
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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.

The collections from the 19th century are exhibited in the neoclassical building overlooking the place Royale (entrance to the Museum of Modern Art). The paintings and sculptures on display are arranged on a thematic and chronological basis and are more..
type: general
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: Koningsplein/ Place Royale 1-2
tel: 02 508 32 11
email: info@fine-arts-museum.be
url: www.fine-arts-museum.be
openings: from 10h00 to 17h00
The Museum of Art and History
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Open from 9.30 am until 17 pm (closed on Mondays) From 10 am until 17 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
type: Museums
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: Jubelpark/ Parc du Cinquantenaire 10
tel: 02 534 15 18
Museum of Ancient Art
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Together with the Museum of Modern Art, this museum makes the nearly all comprising Museum of Fine Arts.
type: Museums
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: Regentschapsstraat/ Rue de la Régence 3
The Horta Museum
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Open from 2pm to 5.30pm (closed on Mondays and holidays).
type: Hotspots
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: Amerikaanse Straat/ Rue Américaine 23-25
tel: 02 537 16 92
City Hall
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The City Hall is probably the finest building in Brussels. You can visit several exhibitions on Brussels glorious past in the sumptuous rooms.
type: Historical Buidlings
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: Oude Markt
Manneken Pis
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Manneken Pis is Brussels' answer to the Statue of Liberty. The statue is smaller than you might expect.

A legend says that a man had lost his little son. He found the child after two days near the place where now the fountain of manneken-pis can be seen. When the father spotted his child, the latter was peeing. As a token of gratitude the father had the fountain with a statue of a peeing boy constructed.

Location: On the corner of Stoofstraat/Rue de L'Etuve and the Eikstraat/Rue du Chêne (At the Grand-Place follow the street on the left side of the town hall)
type: Statues
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The Martelaarsplein
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The Martelaarsplein dates from the 18th century. A number of symmetrical buildings, recently restored, give this square a unique appearance. Behind one of the fine facades is the headquarters of the Flemish government.
type: Squares
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Marché St Géry
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The former meat hall (that now houses several shops)
type: Historical Buidlings
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address: place St Géry
Place de petit Sablon
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type: Squares
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Royal District
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One easy landmark to find in this district is the Cathedral of Saint Gudule and Saint Michael. The building of this majestic cathedral church started in the 13th century. The cathedral was completed in the 15th century. The two complete towers are a striking feature, and are unusual for a Gothic church, and it has beautiful Renaissance leaded windows.
type: Quarters
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Administrative District
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Via Treurenberg, you then reach the administrative district, built around the Warande, a completely symmetrical park. On the north side, lies the Parliament or Palace of the Nation, as well as the Flemish Parliament. Immediately opposite is the Royal Palace, with remarkable rooms which are open to the public for a few months each year. To the west is the Paleis voor Schone Kunsten where, among other things, the annual Queen Elisabeth Music Competition is held. Via the decorative Koningsplein, you reach the Royal Fine Arts Museums, with the Museum of Ancient Art (from the Flemish more..
type: Quarters
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Riolenmuseum
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type: Museums
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address: Anderlechtsepoort
tel: 02 513 85 87
Natural Sciences Museum
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This museum has an exhibition of natural life in Belgium. Opening hours from 9:30am to 4.45pm. Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm.
type: Museums
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: Waversesteenweg/ Chaussée de Wavre 260
tel: 02 627 42 38
Museum Album
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Open from 10 am to 7 pm - closed on Tuesday.
type: Museums
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address: Kartuizerstraat/ Rue des Chartreux 25
Museum voor de Kant en het Costuum
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type: Museums
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: Viletstraat 4-6
tel: 02 512 77 09
The David and Alice van Buuren Museum
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type: Museums
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address: Avenue Léo Errera 41
tel: 02 343 48 51
The Town Hall
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type: Historical Buidlings
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address: Grand Place
Guildhouses
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Located at the heart of the city, the impressive guild houses left their own mark on the square. Check out, amongst many others, the Maison du Roi (Bread house), Le Cygne (The Butchers’ Guild) and the L’Arbre d’Or (The Brewers’ guild).
type: Historical Buidlings
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address: Grand Place
Hôtel de Ville
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Jan van Ruysbroeck’s added the impressive tower to this Gothic structure.
type: Historical Buidlings
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address: Grand Place
tel: +322 513 8940
La Bourse
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The Belgian Stock Exchange is housed in an impressive neo-classical building.
type: Historical Buidlings
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: Palais de la Bourse
tel: +322 509 1211
Maison d'Erasme
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type: Historical Buidlings
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address: Rue du Chapitre 31
tel: +322 521 1383
Palais de Justice
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type: Historical Buidlings
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address: Rue de la Regence
Everardt ‘t Serclaes
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type: Statues
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address: Grote Markt
Eglise Ste Cathérine
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type: Religious Buildings
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: place Ste Cathérine 1000
tel: +322 513 3481
Kapellekerk
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type: Religious Buildings
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the Cathedral of Saint Gudule and Saint Michael.
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type: Religious Buildings
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: Grand Place
Eglise St Jean-Baptiste
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Suburb example of Flemish Baroque in Belgium.
type: Religious Buildings
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: place du Béguinage 1000
Place du Grand Sabel
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type: Squares
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Place du Jeu de Balle
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type: Squares
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____________History
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Hello,

I've been travveling to Brussels and surprised about the magnificient lace handcraft Belgian ladies still produce by hand.

I touch it would be very old fashion but when you visit a store that really sell local production, and not cheap copies from China, it's incredible.

My wife couldn't resist and bought a wonderfull wedding veil for our daughter who's getting married in April 2008. She even ordered some matching lace for the wedding dress !

The best store we've found is located on the main square of Brussels next to the Godiva chocolate store.

It's RUBBRECHT real lace, Grand-place 23, 1000 Brussels. (phone + 32 2 512 02 18)

Anybody travelling to Belgium should take a little time to appriciate this wonderfull handcraft.

James Dunlopp, USA

________-Getting There
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There are several possibilities for going to Brussels. Nearly all major European cities offer a direct flight to Belgium’s capital. There are also very good train options when you’re arriving from one of the neighbouring European countries. Check out the several getting there sections for more details.

[Add Global transport mode]
Eurostar London to Brussels
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Eurostar has to be one of the quickest and easiest ways to get to continental Europe.

Direct from London to Brussels takes just 2hr45m and you arrive in the Gar du Midi.

Don't be afraid to WALK from the station. To get to the Grand Place will take no more than 10 mins with backpacks on!
type: By Rail
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mini europe
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from chelroi airport to mini europe
type: By Road
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______Nightlife and Entertainment
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bar©ode

bar©ode

fab©ode
Brussel has two main centres for going out, both areas where you can shop until you drop. Popular purchases are pralines, chocolate, lace, crystal, pewter and diamonds - you will find them in the Royal District, that is around the Louizapoort, Naamsepoort and Zavel. The cinemas, discotheques and cafes are naturally grouped around. In the Lower Town, visit the boulevards and adjacent streets between the De Brouckèreplein and Beursplein. In both districts, you can enjoy the culinary delights of Brussel, which are among the best in the world.
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Bars & Pubs
Beer Gardens
Cabarets
Casinos
Cinemas Clubs and dancing
Dancing
Jazz
Jazz Music
Live Music Nightclubs
Pubs
Theatres
general

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Archiduc
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photo_2
photo by: Antoine Huart

A legend among jazz lovers while oxned by Stan Brenders in the 50's and 60's, this intimate bar was given a new lease of live when Jean-Louis & Nathalie Hennart bought it from Brenders's widow in the mid 80's. The Hennarts have done little to change its unique atmosphère and celebrities - major, minor and wannabe - sit in the old velvet armchairs beneath the soaring pillars in an art-deco setting unchanged since 1937, shipping the best cocktails in town. Open every day from 4pm.
type: Jazz
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address: Rue Dansaert 6
ClosingTime: no
tel: +32 2 512 06 52
url: www.archiduc.net
email: archiduc@skynet.be
Magasin 4
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Small converted warehouse, it is a great place for catching up-and-coming rock and indie bands. Only open for gigs, entrance about 7 USD, Metro: Yser
type: Live Music
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address: rue du Magasin 4
tel: 02 - 223 34 74
Goupil Le Fol
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Groovy place that look a bit like a dump, nearby Manneken Pis. But don't let it's exterior fool you, for inside low ceilings, soft music and a lot of sofas make it a place to chill out. They have many imported special wines, which are simply delicious and off course, beer. A little expensive, but good for when one needs a break from the world.
type: Casinos
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address: 22 rue de la Violette
tel: 02 511 1396
bar©ode
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bar©ode
bar©ode
photo by: fab©ode

bar©ode is one of the most beautiful cocktail & dj- bars of Brussels. Featuring a huge cocktail selection with regular updates and exclusive mixes. The main area offers a unique classy hi-tech atmosphere, with dj-booth and tv-screen. The second floor is rather loungy and less noisy, with confortable leather chairs and wide tv-screen. bar©ode is the perfect place to start your clubbers agenda, enjoying some refreshing or explosive cocktails, together with the best deejays playing the latest club vibes... definatly a must try !

- Top DJs every weekend more..
type: Clubs and dancing
World66 rating: [rate it]
ClosingTime: open 7/7 from 8pm
url: www.barcode.dj
accessibility: Train (Jette Station) - Tram & Bus (18,19,94,53)
address: 42 place Cardinal Mercier - Jette 1090 Brussels
email: info@barcode.dj
Delirium
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Delirium Cafe is located right in the center of Brussels within five minutes walk of the Grand Place. This bar is all about the beer, offering 2004 different variations, a Guiness World Record. Look for the pink elephant.
type: Beer Gardens
World66 rating: [rate it]
ClosingTime: 4:00
tel: 02/514 44 34
url: www.deliriumcafe.be
address: Impasse de la Fidelité-Getrouwheidsgang 4A
Le Java
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Perfect bar with a good atmosphere and an interesting setting. Have an eye on Anna the barmaid and her cocktails (the best one is Steph & Rhum)
type: Casinos
World66 rating: [rate it]
address: 14 rue St Géry
tel: 02 512 3716
ClosingTime: 5
Grain de sable
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type: Jazz Music
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address: Place du Grand Sablon 15
Kinepolis
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Big cinema-complex with over 25 seperate screen and one IMAX-screen room (very big with superior sound). Is located near the Atomium and in the middle of Eurovillage, where one can find a lot of little bars and restaurants. You can also visit Mini Europe, all of Europe's most important buldings in a small version.
type: Cinemas
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address: Avenue du Centenaire 1
tel: +32-2-4780450
Toone
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Down the alley, cosy largely undiscovered bar belonging to the Toone puppet theatre.
type: Bars & Pubs
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address: petite rue des Bouchers 21
(Au) Soleil
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Nice place with excellent seats both inside and outside during summer time.
type: Bars & Pubs
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address: 86 rue Marché au Charbon
tel: 02 513 3430
A la Becasse
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Old fashioned but cosy bar right near the Bourse. One of the few remaining venues for sampling lambic, along with other snacks.
type: Bars & Pubs
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address: 11 Taborastraat / Rue Tabora
L'Atelier
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Probably the most popular hang-out place for students. The reason being that they have a selection of 100+ different beers.
type: Pubs
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address: 77 rue Elise
tel: 02 649 19 53
Le Bazaar
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In the Marolles, split-level club with a dimly lit restaurant ustairs and a dance floor below playing funk, soul, rock and indie.
type: Clubs and dancing
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address: rue des Capucins 63
L'Image de Notre Dame
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At the end of a long alley, you will find this quiet bar, decorated like an old Dutch kitchen. Good range of specialty bers. Near the Grand Place.
type: Bars & Pubs
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address: Rue du Marché aux Herbes 6
Cartagena
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Downtown club which offers the best and certainly the widest range of South American and Latin sounds in town. Attracts a late-twenties age group, and gets going around midnight. Open Friday and Saturday nights only.
type: Dancing
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address: rue du Marché au Charbon, 70
Le Cercle
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Just off place du Grand Sablon. Live music several times a week: Jazz, Latino, French chansons ... A relaxed and easy atmosphere. Usually bands are very good.
type: Live Music
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address: rue du Saint Anne 20-22
A la Mort Subite
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Popular bar with a wonderful 1920s interior. Snacks served, or just order a plate of nibbles - cheese cubes, salami, chips - to accompany your Mort Subite (sudden death) beer. Robert Cosgrove: Worth seeking out. A short walk from the train station and very close to the Grand Place. If you are looking for a good representation of the classic Lambic beer styles of Kriek and Gueuze, this is a very good place to start. The name, Mort Subite, means "Sudden Death," and comes from a dice game that was played there by local journalists.
type: Bars & Pubs
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address: rue Montagne-aux-Herbes-Potagères 7
Les Jeux d’hiver
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Situated in a forest 5-10 minutes taxi drive from Brussels centre it will not be the club you stumble over by coincidence.

Highly popular with the wealthy and posh Belgians, it caters to a crowd spanning all ages from 25 and up. Starting with a bar/launch atmosphere from 10:00 pm, the nightclub disco starts to get going closer to 01:00 am and into the early morning.

It is a “members club” so you need a bit of the right attitude and timing, arrive before 11:30 pm, to get in if you are a newcomer. Still, chances are you have to take the taxi more..
type: Clubs and dancing
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address: Bois de la Cambre
tel: +32-2-6490864
Mystère
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type: Cabarets
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address: Place Fontainas 4
tel: +32-2-5122199
Le Cactus
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type: Nightclubs
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address: Boulevard du Souverain 147
tel: +32-2-6726701

Sint-Goorikshallen area
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You will find lot's of great pubs in the Sint-Goorickshallen area where especially students like to go out. Make sure to pay a visit at the Mapa (South American style) and De Bizon (dark, Jazz).
type: Bars & Pubs
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Le Malibu
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type: Nightclubs
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address: Rue François Beeckmans 54
tel: +32-2-4204005
UGC Toison D'or/Guldenvlies
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Normal cinema complex with a nice variety of new movies. Located in one of Brussels top-districts.
type: Theatres
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address: Avenue de la Toison d'Or
tel: +32-900/29930
Rick's
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A gathering place of resident English-speakers for close on thirty years. Full menu available, though it is most famous for its ribs.
type: Bars & Pubs
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address: ave Louise 344
La Fleur à papier doré
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This café was in the 1920's the meeting place for the Belgian Surrealists. Today it is a cluttered, cosy local's bar, with walls covered with doodles and poems and a couple of cats prowling around the place.
type: Bars & Pubs
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address: Rue des Alexiens 55
The Fuse
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Large, young and vibrant techno, jungle and house club in the Marolles district. Big-name, international DJ's are a regular feature. Chill-out rooms and visuals. Saturday nights only.
type: Dancing
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address: rue Blaes, 208
Snooker
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Really nice bar in the center of waterloo. Ages 15+ serves alcohol, come here to play snooker and hang out.
type: Pubs
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Le show point
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type: Cabarets
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address: Place Stephanie 14
tel: +32-2-5115364
New York Café Jazz Club
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type: Jazz Music
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address: Chaussée de Charleroi 5
Sounds
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Earthy bar in Ixelles suburb serving up Latin jazz and Rhythm & Blues
type: Live Music
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address: rue de la Tulipe 28
New Domino
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www.literotica.com


type: general
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address: Rue du Pont Neuf 54
tel: +32-2-2195100
Garden’s Club
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type: Cabarets
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address: Rue d'Auderghem 203
tel: +32-2-6477280
Le Parisiana 54
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type: Cabarets
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address: A Rue du Pont Neuf
tel: +32-2-2230468
UGC De Brouckère
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Nice modern cinema complex in the centre of Brussels near 'De Munt'/'La Monnaie', the city's big concerthalls. It is easy accesible by underground or by foot. It has several normal sized rooms and one special big room called 'el dorado' where the big blockbusters are played. This room's walls are painted white and gold and one can notice different animals and plants, especially carved into the walls with the use of gold. A great visual experience is guarenteed!
type: Cinemas
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Le Greenwich
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A very popular chess café with a lovely old wood-panelled and mirrored interior. Laid-back atmosphere. Close to place St. Gery.
type: Bars & Pubs
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address: Rue des Chartreux 7
Pitt's Bar
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Near the Palais de Justice. Music: techno, garage, bhangra and house. Very populr with students. Open on Tues to Sun.
type: Dancing
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address: rue des Minimes 53
Chez la gaffe
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type: Jazz Music
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address: Rue de l'Epée 4
Travers
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Informal jazz club with a reputation for showcasing up-and-coming Belgian musicians.
type: Jazz Music
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address: Rue Traversière 11
Two one two Jazz Bar
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type: Jazz Music
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address: Avenue Louise 212 - 1050 Brussels
Travers
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Informal jazz club with a reputation for showcasing up-and-coming Belgian musicians.
type: Live Music
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address: rue Traversière 11

L'Archiduc
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Small and tasteful bar with regular live jazz on the weekend.
type: Live Music
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address: rue Antoine Dansaert 6
The Sparrow
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This place closed down years ago, but in it's place is a pretty good club called the YOU. Worth checking out. 10euros gets you in and a drink.
type: Casinos
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address: Rue Duquesnoy 18
tel: +32-2-5126622
Le bal
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type: Nightclubs
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address: Boulevard du Triomphe 47
tel: +32-2-6493500
Movy Club
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type: Cinemas
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address: Rue des moines 21
tel: Tel: +32-2-5376954
Musée du Cinema
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type: Cinemas
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address: Rue Baron Horta 9
tel: +32-2-507 83 70
Aventure
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type: Cinemas
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address: Galerie du Centre 57
tel: +32-2-2191748
Stockel
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type: Cinemas
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address: Avenue de Hinnisdael 17
tel: +32-2-7791079
Actor’s Studio
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type: Cinemas
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address: Petite rue des bouchers 16
tel: +32-2-5121696
Vendôme
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type: Cinemas
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address: Chaussée de Wavre 18
tel: +32-2-5126553
Au soleil
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Cosy bar with a wide choice of beer, crowded until late every night with a young trendy crowd.
type: Bars & Pubs
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address: rue Marché au Charbon 86
L'Ultime Atome
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Young clientele, affable café serving a range of 75 bers and an excellent and varied menu. Out in the suburbs of Ixelles.
type: Bars & Pubs
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address: rue Saint Boniface 14
Het Spinnekopke
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Ancient restaurant and bar near the Bourse that serves many traditional Bruxellois dishes cooked in beer as well as lots of fish and mussels. Closed Sundays.
type: Bars & Pubs
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address: Place du Jardin aux fleurs 1
La Porte noire
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Situated in an 18th century cellar. Good choice of beers.
type: Bars & Pubs
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address: Rue des Alexiens 65
Le Cerceuil
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This café is quite special. It is decorated like a morgue and you can drink beer from a skull sitting at a table that looks like a coffin (cerceuil in French). Needless to say they play spooky music here.
type: Bars & Pubs
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address: Rue des Harengs 10
H2O
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Quieter place than most of the others with a sophisticated atmosphere.
type: Bars & Pubs
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address: 27 rue du Marché au Charbon
tel: 02 512 38 42