Tourists in Brussels riding around in horse-drawn carriage ... without a horse

In Brussels, the horse has given way to electricity when it comes to taking visitors on a tour of the city's landmarks. In that regard, Brussels is the first European capital where this is now a reality.

Clip-clip-clip-clop ... the familiar soothing clacking sound of horseshoes striking the cobbles of the city's streets has been silenced in Brussels. The city's horse-drawn carriage rides are now no more. Staff shortages, protests by animal lovers and the result of a broader social debate surrounding the use of animals for commercial purposes have brought this long-standing tradition to an end. It must also be said that the horses themselves didn't exactly benefit from that type of work. Especially in the summer, they would frequently be gasping for breath.  

Fortunately, the concept of the carriage ride still remains intact. The city did not want to deny its tourists the opportunity to experience this prized attraction. The only thing is that it is now provided using what is actually a type of car that is equipped with a noiseless, 100% electric motor. The coachman who previously sat on the box seat has now been replaced by a driver seated behind a steering wheel. The benefits? Finding staff is now easier, there are no more horses to care for, and in addition to the routes previously followed by horse-drawn carriages, other streets, alleys and slopes are now no longer a problem. The locations already visited are the Grand-Place, Manneken Pis, the Stock Exchange, Place Sainte-Catherine, Mont des Arts, the comic strip murals, etc. Three vehicles have been delivered in order to provide this service.

By providing this innovative alternative that links sustainability to heritage, Brussels hopes to soon attract 15,000 tourists a year. It's just a shame that, by taking away the horses, some of the romance and nostalgia are now also a thing of the past.