Tourist attractions Hoeilaart

Created in 1835, this exceptional museum gives an overview of human history from the Prehistoric period to the present day. Its rich collections cover Antiquity, non-European civilisations (the Americas, Asia) and National decorative arts, such as re..

The collection of early Flemish work, as well as masterpeices by Bruegel the Elder and Rubens make this a museum of worldwide renown. It is situated in a classical style palace from the late 19C with a modern wing. An unforgettable experience.

Founded by Leopold II with a view to creating the world’s greatest concentration of artworks, this quarter dominates the lower town. Pre-existing palaces were augmented by new buildings in the 19C which replaced the St Roch district (deemed insalubri..

Victor Hugo called it a "marvel", Jean Cocteau a "rich theatre". There is nothing like the Grand-Place in the world. It is the centre of Brussels and a spectacle in its own right. It is constantly buzzing with activity, and attrac..

It extends over an ancient charcoal forest area, where charcoal was produced in Roman times. Thick clumps of beech trees cover the former hunting area, scattered with abbey remains, of this rolling countryside with valleys such as the romantic Gro..

Among the La Hulpe hills are numerous castles and mansions, including the 220-ha Domaine Solvay. Formerly the property of the Solvay family who became rich in industry, it was bequeathed to the State. The magnificent park, dotted with lakes, is overl..

Organised by King Leopold II in 1897, the Congo Exhibition presented the fauna, flora, art and culture of the region so successfully that it became a permanent museum, housed in this building with a Louis XVI-style façade constructed by Girault betwe..

Founded in the 13C, this ancient Cistercian abbey is situated to the south of the lakes of Ixelles. The fine courtyard with its abbatial and monastic lodgings is a harmonious 18C creation. The 14C church has an impressive Mocking of Christ by Alb..

Built in 1928, the house of banker and patron David Van Buuren has an exterior typical of the Amsterdam School. The interior is an Art Deco masterpiece created by Belgian, French and Dutch designers. Furniture, rugs, stained glass, sculpture and pict..

Since 1986, the glasshouse of the southern hall of the palace has housed around 400 vehicles including many luxury makes (Cadillac, Jaguar, Rolls-Royce etc) While the exhibition contains cars from members of the Royal Veteran Car Club, most of the ve..

A must for Art Nouveau lovers, the museum occupies two narrow houses built by Victor Horta between 1898 and 1901 as his home and studio. This huge project is a wonder of harmony and elegance, the very essence of Art Nouveau with glass and iron taking..

The Dinosaur Gallery has more than 30 specimens laid out over an area of 3 000 m2; T Rex, Stegasaurus and Diplodocus are all represented but the stars of the show are the original fossilised Bernissart Iguanodons . Other rooms focus on human evolu..

Inextricably linked to the history of the church and guild of crossbowmen, this formerly genteel district had a populist allure in the early 20C. Over recent decades, its shops have been revamped to the benefit of its antique dealers and art gallerie..

Since June 2000, the Old England Art Nouveau building has housed this museum, containing around 7 000 instruments from all periods and parts of the world over four floors. Headsets permit visitors to hear each instrument displayed, with renditions ..

This museum occupies the underground section of the building on Place du Musée and was laid out by the architects Bastin and Beek around a lightwell. The collections on display take the visitor on a journey through the artistic movements of the 19C (..

The Magritte Museum exhibits some 250 of the 1 200 works by one of the leading lights of Surrealism, or the "immediate knowledge of reality", as he himself defined the movement. Drawings, oil paintings, gouache paintings, posters and sculpt..

Since 1962, the former collegiate of Sts Michael and Gudule has shared the title of cathedral of the archdiocese of Malines-Bruxelles with St-Rombault de Malines. This is a fine Gothic monument built from the 13C to 17C. Inside, the Brabançon nave is..

In 1846, the architect Cluysenaar built an elegant Classical pilastered façade at the top of rue de la Montagne. The Galerie du Roi and Galerie de la Reine are covered with a glass vault on a metal framework. The galleries are home to many luxury..

Sculpted in 1619 by J Duquesnoy the Elder, the Manneken ("Little Man") Pis, or "Little Julian" used to bring water to the district. This little pot-bellied boy symbolises Brabançon vigour. In the name of decency, or to honour &quo..

This centre is housed in the magnificent Art Nouveau building designed by Victor Horta in 1903 for the Waucquez textile house. Here, visitors will now find everything about making a comic book, see original drawings by the great artists and enter the..