DK Travel : Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent : The Grand Place, Brussels

The Grand Place, Brussels

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Brussels’ Grand Place is the focal point of the city, a tirelessly uplifting masterpiece of unified architecture. Flanked by tightly packed rows of former guildhouses, bristling with symbolic sculpture and gilding, for many centuries this was the proud economic and administrative heart of the city. It was the setting for markets and fairs, pageants and jousts, for the proclamation of decrees, and public executions. Even without its old political and economic prestige and the bustle of through-traffic, it still throbs with animation.
For more on the Manneken-Pis (see Manneken-Pis) The Tapis de Fleurs takes place in even-numbered years.

Top 10 Sights

1. Hôtel de Ville

The Town Hall was the first major building on the Grand Place. Largely reconstructed since its 15th-century beginnings, it still has its original spire, topped by a statue of St Michael killing the devil.
2. Maison du Roi

2. Maison du Roi

This medieval-style “King’s House”, built in the 1870s, houses the Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles, a miscellany of city history, including costumes designed for the Manneken-Pis statue.
3. Le Renard

Like most of the buildings on the Grand Place, No 7 was a guildhouse – the prestigious headquarters of the Guild of Haber-dashers. Along with the majority of the guildhouses, it was rebuilt after 1695. A striking statue of a fox (Le Renard ) illustrates the building’s old name.
4. Le Cornet

4. Le Cornet

This gloriously elaborate building (No 6) was once the guildhouse of the boatmen. Its marine adornments include a top storey resembling the stern of a galleon.
5. The Tapis de Fleurs

Every other year for five days in mid-August, the Grand Place is taken over by a massive floral display known as the Carpet of Flowers.
6. Maison des Ducs de Brabant

The south-eastern flank of this impressive building was conceived (in 1698) as a single block of seven units. No 13 is the Musée du Cacao et du Chocolat.
7. Maison des Brasseurs

Called L’Arbre d’Or (the Golden Tree), the brewers’ guildhouse (No 10) was designed by Guillaume de Bruyn. It is still used by the Confédération des Brasseries de Belgique, and contains a small museum of brewing.
8. Le Cygne

“The Swan” (No 9) was rebuilt as a private residence in 1698, but in 1720 it was acquired by the Guild of Butchers. It later became a café, and Karl Marx held meetings of the German Workers’ Party here.
9. Statue of Everard ’t Serclaes

Everard ’t Serclaes died on this site in 1388 resisting Flemish occupation. Passers-by stroke the limbs of his bronze statue for luck.
10. Maison des Boulangers

The bakers’ guildhouse is coated with symbols, including six figures representing the essential elements of breadmaking. The unusual octagonal lantern on the roof is topped by a striking gilded statue of Fame.

Practical Information

There are two famous bar-restaurants in the Grand Place – both pricey, but worth it for their utterly Bruxellois sense of style: Le Roy d’Espagne at No 1, and La Chaloupe d’Or at Nos 24–5. Brussels’ main tourist office is located in the Hôtel de Ville. It is always very busy, but a useful place to pick up information. Hôtel de Ville: guided tours start 1:45–3.15pm Tue & Wed, 10–12.15pm Sun (1 Apr–31 Sep only) 02 279 4365 Tour: €2.50 Maison du Roi (Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles): open 10am–5pm Tue–Sun 02 279 4358 Admission: €2.50 Musée du Cacao et du Chocolat: open 10am– 4:30pm Tue–Sun 02 514 2048 Admission: €5 Maison des Brasseurs (Musée de la Brasserie): open 10am–5pm Mon–Fri, 12–5pm Sat & Sun 02 511 4987 Admission: €4