Do & See
-
To do
-
Walks

From the Sablon to the Marolles

So close and yet so different, these two districts are a real gold mine for art lovers, collectors or bargain hunters. It is also overflowing with an infectious ’joie de vivre’. The antique and modern art galleries of the Sablon constitute a chic museum in themselves, where (almost) everyone can chance on that rare and elusive pearl thanks to its eclectic mix.

The nearby Law Courts were wittily re-baptised ’the large inkpot’ by Victor Hugo. Its panoramic view on place Poelaert can be reached in thirty seconds via the bizarre lift that lands in the very heart of Rue Haute. A constant whirl of activity, the popular Rue Haute and Rue Blaes are thronged with the most unexpected bric-a-brac and decoration shops, carefully interspersed with typical and welcoming cafés and restaurants. Tempting, carefully-prepared dishes are served alongside soups and soft cheese sandwiches.

The ’zwanze’ is a must: once you’ve heard an absurd, incredible or surreal story told in the good old brusseleer accent, you’ll have reached the roots of the Marolles. All of this local tradition is further enhanced by the fantastic bric-a-brac: the flea market that’s held every morning on Place du Jeu de Balle!

Other informations

Palace of Justice

place Poelaert - 1000 Brussels

Tel.: +32 (0)2 508 64 10

Fax: +32 (0)2 508 64 54

Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed on weekends and bank holidays, July

Guided tours on written request.

Sablon antiques and book market

Open Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.;

Sundays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Flea market

place du Jeu de Balle - 1000 Brussels

Every day between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Many antique dealers and shops are open from Wednesday to Sunday. The weekend is the best time to visit this area: markets are held on Sundays and the shops stay open until around 3 p.m.

Here you find other ideas for places to visit or events to do in Brussels, not taking into account the appreciation of other visitors for these places, nor for the area, the profile or the same experience.

Brussels and Comic Strip

Above all, don’t miss the ’comic strip trail’, which has involved thirty walls in the capital being covered with comic strip characters that are larger than in life in every sense and portrayed in the most comical situations...

More info
Art Nouveau walk

Why don’t we change everything? In an age when neo-classical architecture was in full swing, Victor Horta’s question was to undermine existing conceptions and bring new talents to the fore...

More info
Fashion trail

The shops and studios that are springing up along Rue Antoine Dansaert provide a good sample: fashion for women, men, children and even babies, from head to toe, naturally...

More info
Tintin walk

While Hergé and Tintin are known all over the world, we should not lose sight of the fact that Brussels and Belgium occupied a key place in the life and work of this master of the Ninth Art...

More info
Walk Europe

The Parliament and the institutions of the European Union with their vast, modern and prolific buildings effectively symbolise the construction of a continent in constant social, cultural, economic and political mutation...

More info