Bruxelles Virtual Tours

As the European capital, the 1000-plus year old city of Brussels is home to the European Commission and the Council of Ministers of the European Union (EU). It’s also the bilingual capital of Belgium, where both French and Dutch are the official languages of the city. Of course, in its role as a crossroads for Europe, many other languages can be heard on the cosmopolitan streets. Variety can also be found in the many architectural styles – Gothic cathedral and churches are found next to classical facades, art nouveau and art deco houses.

The heart of Brussels is its town square, one of the most beautiful in Europe, if not the world. Called Grand'Place by French speakers and Grote Markt (or ‘de grote Markt’) by the Dutch, it’s the best place to start any visit to the city. The Town Hall and King’s House dominate this historic market square with its splendid guild houses.

The city center is divided into the Lower and Upper Towns; the former is around the Grand’ Place (most sights lead off the square) and follows a vaguely medieval form, with its narrow, atmospheric streets. Much of the daily life takes place in the Lower Town and there are many legendary local bars and cafes. Up the hill, the Upper Town is grander and more planned, with stunning buildings and open spaces.

click here to view fullscreen

The Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is on the Place des Palais facing the Palais de la Nation. The King and Queen reside in the Palace of Laeken, but King Albert II has his offices here and it is used for state receptions, royal audiences and court ceremonies. The Throne Room is particularly impressive; over 150 feet long it has an elaborate mosaic parquet floor and is lit by eleven chandeliers. Other rooms on view are the Blue Room, the Louis XVI Music Salon with its ebony piano inset with copper and semi-precious stones, the Goya Room, hung with tapestries modeled on paintings by the Spanish Court painter, the Empire Room, the two White Salons and the Mirror Room, paneled in elaborately carved oak with four ceiling-high mirrors set between fluted marble columns.

click here to view fullscreen

The National Basilica of the Sacred Heart
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, in the suburb of Koekelberg, is labeled "the national Basilica of Belgium". Built in remembrance of the 75th anniversary of Belgian independence, King Leopold II laid the first stone in 1905 but, delayed by two world wars, a lack of donations, and changes in architects and plans, the Basilica wasn’t competed until the late 1960s. Visitors can climb into the dome of the Basilica for a beautiful panorama over Brussels and its surrounding area.

click here to view fullscreen

Flea Market
Every neighborhood has its own market, as Brussels is a city of markets: the bird market, the flower market, the antique market, the flea market, and the horse market. Vendors bring fresh produce from nearby fields, cheeses made in farms and abbeys; hams cured in the Ardennes, flowers and potted plants, chickens, rabbits and fresh caught fish, shrimp and mussels from the North Sea. The mussels in Brussels are a must!