The Royal Palace of Brussels opens its doors.

29/07/2020

If you've always wanted to visit the Royal Palace from the comfort of your armchair, now is your chance thanks to a virtual tour rich in images and historical commentary available since 21 July.

Around this time every year, the doors of the Palace open to the public for a few weeks, giving you an opportunity to walk on the carpets of the royal salons and let yourself be enchanted by this special atmosphere steeped in history.

Due to the pandemic, the Palace will not open its doors in 2020... at least not physically. Your mouse will take you on a virtual tour of the public areas of the Palace, including the halls, staircases, reception rooms and even the Throne Room. Via the Menu (bottom right), you can access the different places and a brief description (+ left) informs you about past and present activities held in these lounges. From the Grand Staircase, you will learn a little more about the architect Balat, who undertook much of the renovation work under Leopold II. Walking through the rooms, you will also discover that the Empire Room still welcomes the new ambassadors today when they present their credentials to the King, and that the ceiling of the Hall of Mirrors has been covered with the elytra of 1.4 million Thai beetles at the request of Queen Paola.

Usually closed to the public, you will also be able to access the King's office which hosts singular colloquiums with the world's major figures.

You too can be a royal guest with this virtual tour available in four languages.