BELvue Museum
Place des Palais 7, Brussels, Belgium, 1000
Housed in an elegant 18th-century hotel building in the heart of Brussels, the BELvue Museum is dedicated to the history of the Belgian capital. Walk through the chronologically-ordered exhibits, and learn about the political and social changes that this small but important city has undergone over the past few centuries. There are also royal artifacts on show.
The basics
Wandering through the BELvue Museum, you’ll get a sense of what it was like to live in Brussels at different time periods. Each exhibit provides a detailed look at moments in Brussels’ history, such as WWI and WWII, the Belgian Revolution, and Belgium’s colonies around the world. Each room is a snapshot of important political, social and historical flashpoints, and explores themes of democracy, prosperity, solidarity, pluralism, migration, language, and a united Europe.
Things to know before you go
The museum is open to all ages, and there’s a special game trail for ages 9-12.
The museum is wheelchair-accessible.
Digital audio guides and a sensory trail are available for visually impaired visitors.
How to get there
BELvue Museum is easily accessible by public transport, with the 92 and 93 trams stopping outside. There are also several Metro stations close by, including Central Station. Its central location makes it easy to find on foot by following signs to the Royal Parc, or you can park the car nearby at the Place du Trône car park.
When to get there
It’s advisable to check the opening times of BELvue before you set off, as there are changes in the timetable during local school holidays. Usually, the museum is open Monday through Friday from morning until late afternoon, and during the weekends from mid-morning until early evening. BELvue Museum is closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and on the 21st of July every year, for the Belgian national holiday.
What to see on Place des Palais
In the historic city of Brussels, there’s always something beautiful to look at, and the Place des Palais there is plenty to see. Step out of the BELvue Museum on Place des Palais and you’ll find yourself at the Royal Palace of Brussels, and on your way to the Academy Palace, a grand neoclassical building dedicated to the pursuit of science and the arts. Then, of course, there’s the Royal Parc, a landscaped respite from the hustle of the city streets.
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