The best of Brussels
Brussels is a city that semmplessy blends the old with the new,
offering visitors a rich tapestry of expreiences to enjoy
CHEZ LEON, probably the most traditional Brussels Friture in the world!
In 1867, just a stone’s throw from the Grand Place, Léon Vanlancker decided to set up a 5-table restaurant known as “A la Ville d’Anvers”. In 1893, he moved a few metres from there, to 18 rue des Bouchers, and opened his “Friture Léon”. The years went by and the establishment grew slowly but surely.
ADRESS:
Rue des Bouchers 18, 1000 Bruxelles
Open 7d/7 from 11:30 to 23:00
Discover Brussels districts
Brussels, a city that cannot be summed up in a single glance or a single word. A city that doesn't give away everything on the spot, but gradually conquers the hearts of its visitors. The many facets of this metropolis continue to amaze, shock and enchant day in and day out. To make sure you don't get lost in the charming chaos of the streets of Brussels, Discover Belgium has put together this brief overview of Brussels' districts.
ADRESS:
Grote Markt, 1000 Brussel
Le Roy d'Espagne
An authentic Brussels brasserie located in the historic heart of the city! Discover or rediscover this emblematic place full of history, its medieval surroundings, and its warm and typical atmosphere.
ADRESS:
Grand Place 1, 1000 Bruxelles
Open 7d/7 from 8:00am to 0:00pm
Historic city centre
The famous Grand Place, considered by experts to be the most beautiful in the world, is the main stage around which the Brussels spectacle takes place. Here you will marvel at the flamboyant neo-gothic splendour of the Bread House and take a selfie with probably the most photographed inhabitant of Brussels en existence: Manneken Pis. You will experience the turbulent history of this place in person, marked by the Spanish conquerors and refined (word) artists such as Victor Hugo and his namesake Victor Horta. After a long voyage of discovery through history, relax above a steaming pot of mussels and fries in one of the many cosy eateries in the historic centre.
ADRESS:
Grote Markt, 1000 Brussel
St Michael's Church
Construction of this late-Gothic church started in 1440, but remarkably it was not completed until 1825. A design from 1662 planned a 134-metre tower (by way of comparison, the tower of St Bavo’s Cathedral is only 89 metres tall), but this ambitious plan was shelved due to a lack of funds. What should have been a triumphal monument with a majestic tower became after all a church with a flat-roofed tower of 46 metres. This turned out to be quite fortunate in the end, as major ground-stability problems were discovered at a later date. The location would never have been able to support a heavier weight.
ADRESS:
Boulevard Saint-Michel 24, 1040 Etterbeek.
Opening hours from 8:00am to 18:00pm
Cathedral Ste Gudula
Chapel dedicated to St Michael was probably built here as early as the 9th century. In the 11 th century it was rep!aced by a Romanesque church which became a “collegiale church” in 1047. The relics of St Gudula were transferred there. From then onwards, it became known as “the collegiale church of St Michae! and St Gudula”. In February 1962, it was given cathedral status, and since then it has been the seat of the Archbishop of Malines-Brussels, together with St Rombouts cathedral in Malines. The building of the present church in Gothic “Brabançon” style began with the choir in 1226.
ADRESS
Esp. de la Sainte-Gudule, 1000 Bruxelles
Opening hours from 8:00am to 18:00pm
