A Royal Visit in Brussels
ROYALS MUST-SEE IN BRUSSELS
THE GRAND PLACE
Starting with the Grand Place located behind the Hilton Brussels Grand Place hotel. This is the ideal spot to start exploring Brussels. Look around and get enchanted by all the details on the facades of the 17th century buildings.
Tip: The city hall also called ‘Broodhuis’ in Flemmish, is a museum nowadays and definitely worth visiting when you have the time.
Another fun fact about the Grand Place, on certain dates in August, every two years the flower carpet is showcased which offers a nice time to stroll across the Grand Place and inhale the fragrant scent of the flowers and admire its details.
Starting off with the first royal stop at the Grand Place, the must visit ‘Maison de Roi’, in Flemmish called ‘Het Broodhuis’, and translated to English ‘King’s House’. Nowadays a museum where the history of this beautiful building is showcased.
Fun fact: In Dutch, ‘Broodhuis’ references to the place’s origin. The Grand Place as it is today, Brussels’ main market square, was home to a bread market in the 13th century.
In French, ‘Maison du Roi’ references to the Dukes of Brabant, the owners of the building. The dukes are not the only ones who lived in this building, as the property was owned by none other than Charles V, the monarch of Spain during the start of the 16th century.
ROYAL GALERIES
After strolling around the Grand Place, nearby the Royal Saint-Hubert Galeries are located. They consist of 3 different passages; the King’s Gallery, the Queen’s Gallery, ant the Prince’s Gallery.
Also known as a meeting place with lots of boutiques to windowshop, patissiers, cafés, and restaurants.
Tip: Located in the Queen’s Gallery is Le Pain Quotidien, stop by for a moment to relax and enjoy the views of the wonderful Gallery with a cup of coffee.
Looking for a sophisticated restaurant? Also located in the Saint-Hubert Galeries is restaurant Le Marmiton to discover in the most beautiful setting.
A ROYAL AREA
Want to stay in Royal atmospheres? Then the royal quarter in Brussels is the place to be. In this quarter the Place royal has been build on the remains of the Coudenberg Palace.
The Royal Palace of Brussels is the King’s administrative residence and main workplace, where he works daily with his staff. The majestic interior is definitely worth visiting.
At the Place Royale you will find the Royal Palace, good to know is that the palace opens its doors for the public during the summer between the end of July and the end of August. Unfortunately not in 2023 as the Palace will be under construction, nevertheless more reason to come back to Brussels in 2024 to visit the Palace.
Tip: Take a walk through the Royal Parc, also called Parc de Bruxelles, located
COUDENBERG PALACE
The Coudenberg Palace that once was the home of Charles V was consumed by a terrible fire. Only the ruins of the palace still remained underground, which nowadays can be visited as it is a fascinating archeological site with a network of underground passages and chambers. In the Coudenberg Museum, it is possible to admire the archeological discoveries that have been made during the various excavations of the Coudenberg site.
THE ROYAL GREENHOUSES
Still cannot get enough of the royal atmosphere, then you are in luck. The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken will open this year for three weeks between the 14th of April and the 7th of May. The Greenhouses still contain some plants belonging to the original plantations of King Leopold ll, including a lot of rare plants of great value.
USE THIS LINK TO EASILY FIND THE BEST OF BRUSSELS’ ROYAL LANDMARK.
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