THE EUROPEAN DISTRICT AND THE CINQUANTENAIRE

© OPT/JP Remy

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The Parliament and the institutions of the European Union with their vast, modern and prolific buildings effectively symbolise the construction of a continent in constant social, cultural, economic and political mutation.
The riches of a still very vivid past are encapsulated by the two splendid parks, Leopold Park and Cinquantenaire Park, and by the treasures held in the Museums of Art and History, of the Army and Auto-world and of Natural Sciences. In the surrounding area, our past heritage is also brought alive by the Wiertz museum, the elegant Solvay library and the astonishing house and workshop of Paul Cauchie. Place Jourdan alone is a delightful and cosmopolitan microcosm.

© Brussels International Tourism & Congress

Comment:

On your way... (See also the list of tourist information linked to this walk)

Place Jourdan.

A few nice stops...

Place Jourdan for its cafés, restaurants, terraces and fries.
The beginning of the Avenue de Tervuren for its cafés and terraces.
Rue de Tongres for its tea-rooms.
Place du Luxemburg for its terraces and its European atmosphere.

Shopping:
Rue de Tongres for clothes, chocolate, perfumes..
Market on the Place Jourdan: every Sunday from 8 am to 1 pm.

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Tourist information linked to this suggestion:

AUTOWORLD BRUSSELS : INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOBILE CENTRE (BRUXELLES) © OPT / JP Remy Autoworld, the most impressive collection of oldtimers in the world, which oficially opened its doors at the Palais Mondial in October 1986, situated in a very beautiful and luxurious building, which invites you to stroll through the history of the automobile from 1886 until the seventies. The majority of oldtimers belong to the Mahy collection of Ghent, the most important in the world (950 vehicles). Superb exhibits, selected from the De Pauw collection complete the exhibition. Both Belgian and foreign cars are displayed. Moreover, temporary exhibitions are being held at the Palais Mondial on a regular base. Address: Palais Mondial de l'Automobile Parc du Cinquantenaire 11 1000 BRUXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 736 41 65 know more...

CAUCHIE HOUSE (ETTERBEEK) © OPT / Ricardo de la Riva The Maison Cauchie is considered as one of the most beautiful masterworks of the Art Nouveau in Brussels. Situated in front of the Parc du Cinquantenaire, it was built for personal use in 1905 by architect, painter and decorator Paul Cauchie (1875-1952). It bears many exceptional decorative elements, including the famous Art Nouveau wall paintings. Every year, visitors from all over the world come to admire and visit this gem of the Brussels architectural heritage. Address: Rue des Francs 5 1040 ETTERBEEK Tel.:+32 (0) 2 733 86 84 know more...

CINQUANTENAIRE MUSEUM - ROYAL MUSEUMS FOR ART AND HISTORY (BRUXELLES) © kmkg-mrah Travel through an unusual world. Set in the heart of the Cinquantenaire Park, you will find the Cinquantenaire Museum, part of the Royal Museums of Art and History, which offers a rich and varied view of history to the public. The Antiquity collection evoke ancient civilisations such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome. The Art Industries retrace the major artistic trends that were developed in Europe from the 10th century to the present day. Tapestries, altarpieces, lace, silver and porcelain display the splendour of the European culture. The non-European collections range from Micronesia and Polynesia to India, South-East Asia, China and Precolumbian America. Our National Archaeology department covers artefacts from prehistoric times to the Merovingian period. Address: Parc du Cinquantenaire 10 1000 BRUXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 741 72 11 know more...

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (BRUXELLES) © Karina Nestler The European Parliament is the only supranational institution whose members are democratically elected by direct universal suffrage. It represents the people of the Member States. The European Parliament is elected every five years, and is involved in drafting numerous laws (directives, regulations etc.) that affect the daily life of every citizen. Address: Rue Wiertz 43 1040 BRUXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 284 34 57 know more...

HORTA-LAMBEAUX PAVILION - PAVILLION OF HUMAN PASSIONS - ROYAL MUSEUMS FOR ART AND HISTORY (BRUXELLES) First building by Victor Horta, realized in 1889 to protect the impressive relief named "Human passions", sculpted by Jef Lambeau. Unfortunately, it caused a fuss and was forced to close only 3 days after the opening. Address: Parc du Cinquantenaire 1000 BRUXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 741 72 11 know more...

LEOPOLD PARK (ETTERBEEK) © Karina Nestler The Leopold Park, with one of the last remaining ponds of the Maelbeek Valley, has conserved its particular character of an English landscaped park, despite the urban pressure. The buildings of the European Parliament and the International Conference Centre, next to the Luxembourg station and the Brasserie Léopold, place the Leopold Park in the heart of the "European District". The history of the park can still be seen today in its landscape. Indeed, when you stroll around the twisting paths of the hilly park, you can still see the Eggevoort tower, unique remains of the ancient medieval domain. The Leopold Park has become a small architecture museum in the open air. Address: 1040 ETTERBEEK Tel.:+32 (0) 2 513 89 40 know more...

MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE (BRUXELLES) © Muséum des Sciences naturelles, Bruxelles Terrestrial minerals, molluscs, shellfish, insects, …this is just a sample of what you can admire in the Museum's permanent rooms. Discover the Dinosaur Gallery! This gallery is the largest dinosaur exhibition of Europe. You will see a fascinating Tyrannosaur, a Triceratops, a Diplodocus, a Stegosaurier or an Olorotitan. But the true stars of the Dinosaur Gallery are still the original Bernissart iguanodon fossils, our national pride! Multimedia animations bringt the skeletons back to life. This will send shivers down your spine! Ready for the adventure? Let yourself be surprised and follow the trail of the dinosaurs... Address: Rue Vautier 29 1000 BRUXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 627 42 38 know more...

PARK OF THE CINQUANTENAIRE (BRUXELLES) © OPT/JP LRemy The park, a haven of peace in the midst of the automobile storm, houses a lot of treasures : the Big Mosque, Islamic centre of Brussels, the statue of the green dog and the Pavilion of human passions by Victor Horta, only accessible by appointment. The Park of the Cinquantenaire covers about thirty hectares of classical gardens, with paths drawn with lines, trimmed bay hedges and a symmetrical course. And the palace, what a delight ! The museums of Art and History, Aviation, the Army and Military History, the Royal Institute of Art Heritage and the World Palace of the Automobile are housed in it. Address: Parc du Cinquantenaire 1000 BRUXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 513 89 40 know more...

ROYAL MUSEUM OF THE ARMY AND MILITARY HISTORY (BRUXELLES) © Musée royal de l'Armée Address: Parc du Cinquantenaire 3 1000 BRUXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 737 78 11 know more...

ROYAL MUSEUMS FOR FINE ARTS OF BELGIUM - ANTOINE WIERZ MUSEUM (IXELLES) © OPT / Martine Pierard Visitors entering the Wiertz Museum for the first time are in for quite a shock. Antoine Wiertz, the 19th century Belgian artist, had ambitions to be Raphaël, Michelangelo and Rubens all rolled into one. His predilictions were religious subjects, philophical and allegorical scenes and portraits, and he often painted giant canvasses with a frenzied romanticism. Address: Rue Vautier 62 1050 IXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 648 17 18 know more...

SOLVAY LIBRARY 1902-2002 (BRUXELLES) Hundred-year-old building, style art nouveau, recently renovated by F. Metzger. Wonderful library with mahogany panelling, one of the most impressive examples of architectural eclectism in Belgium. Address: Parc Léopold Rue Belliard 137 1000 BRUXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 738 75 96 know more...