Antwerp

Now the second city in Belgium and the second port in Europe, Antwerp was one of the largest cultural and commercial centres in Europe in the 17th century. The city still has many outstanding buildings dating from this period. Antwerp is also world famous for being the capital of the diamond trade.

To see in Antwerp: MAS (museum about the history of the city), Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, the zoo, the Plantin-Moretus Museum, the port, Rubens' House, the Fashion Museum, the Red Star Line Museum, etc.

 

 

Bruges

The "Venice of the North" has nothing to envy from its Italian colleague, with its canals, its many medieval buildings and its Béguinage. A city with a prosperous trade and world famous lace work, Bruges saw the invention of the stock exchange, the first building of which can still be seen.

To see in Bruges: the belfry, the Groeninge Museum, the Memling Museum, the Béguinage, Saint-Sang Basilica, the Gruuthuse Museum, the Hanse neighbourhood, etc.

 

 

Brussels

The capital of Belgium and of the European Union, Brussels was also one of the capitals of Art Nouveau at the start of the 20th century. It is also the comic book capital, with its comic book route bearing witness to the inventiveness of Belgian illustrators, and it is also the capital of surrealism boasting great names such as Magritte, Scutenaire and Mariën.

To see in Brussels: the Grand-place, the Museum of Ancient Art, the Atomium, the Magritte Museum, Sts-Michel-et-Gudule Cathedral, the European district and the Parlamentarium, the Galeries Royales, Manneken-Pis, the Belgian Comic Book Centre, the Horta Museum, Mini-Europe, the MIM (Musical Instrument Museum), etc.

 

Ghent

The birthplace of Charles Quint, Ghent used to be the capital of the powerful County of Flanders. Built at the confluence of the Scheldt and the Lys, Ghent benefits from a sumptuous architectural heritage as well as an extremely dynamic industrial and university centre.

To see in Ghent: The Quai aux Herbes, the belfry, the Halle aux Draps, the Counts' Castle, St-Bavon Cathedral and the famous painting of the Lamb of God, the STAM (Ghent City Museum), the Town Hall, the Museum of Contemporary Art (SMAK), etc.

 

 

Leuven

Capital city of beer, good taste and shopping enjoyment, but also the guardian of religious and cultural heritage and centre of expertise and innovation. Regardless of whether you are a seasoned city-tripper, a cultural values hunter or a fervent shopper, you will always find your needs more than adequately met in Leuven.

To see in Leuven : the Town Hall, the Saint-Peter’s Church, the M-Museum Leuven (historical and contemporary art), the Oude Markt, a Brewery visit, the University Library, the Botanical Garden, the Great Beguinage…

 

 

Liège

A daughter of the Meuse, the river that flows from one end of the city to the other, Liège is the centre of Mosan art: architecture, goldsmithery, painting, etc. Through the streets, museums and the river, visitors will discover this regional artistic trend and the Latin welcome offered by the city's inhabitants, something which can be enjoyed during the many festivities (La Batte market, the 15 August Festival in Outremeuse, the October fair and the Christmas market).

To see in Liège: the Grand Curtuis, the Museum of Walloon Life, St-Jacques Church, the Prince-Bishops' Palace, the Museum of Modern Art and Contemporary Art, the Ansembourg Museum, etc.

 

Mechelen

The many palaces and ancient buildings which line the banks of the Dyle bear witness to the architectural treasures of the city which was at its zenith in the 15th and 16th centuries. The seat of the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels, the town also offers some very beautiful religious buildings, such as the cathedral, several churches and the béguinages.

To see in Mechelen: St-Rombaut Cathedral, the Grand-Place, the Grand Béguinage, the Town Hall, the Royal Tapestry Manufacturers De Wit, the Hof van Busleyden, the Palace of Margaret of Austria, the Toy Museum, etc.

 

Mons

The cultural capital of Wallonia since 2002, Mons was the European Capital of Culture in 2015. Art can be found on every street corner and the history of the city is an open book. Between its museums, strolls around the typical streets and its monuments which invite you to travel back in time, the capital of Hainaut offers a change of scenery and an exciting adventure.

To see in Mons: the belfry, the Museum Doudou, the Grand-Place, the Ste-Waudru Collegiate, the BAM (Mons Museum of Fine Arts), the Duesberg Museum (decorative arts), The Mundaneum, the Mons Memorial Museum, etc.

 

Namur

Local residents and tourists stroll nonchalantly around the city centre which comprises countless commercial streets and pedestrian areas. Namur is dominated by its citadel, built by Vauban, from which there is a clear view over the city, as well as over the confluence of the Meuse. The city has a very varied cultural offering and a packed programme of festive events!

To see in Namur: the Citadel, the Félicien Rops Museums, Saint-Loup Church, the treasure of the Priory of Oignies aux Sœurs de Notre-Dame, the Archaeological Museum, the Provincial Museum of Ancient Arts, the Groesbeeck de Croix Museum, etc. 

 

Belgium also offers a host of other towns of art which are well worth a visit: Aalst, Oudenaarde, Charleroi, Courtrai, Dinant, Furnes, Hasselt, Huy, Lierre, Sint-Niklaas, Spa, Tongeren, Tournai, Ypres…