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Cultural Belgium
Most tourist attractions and museums are open on Sundays and closed on Mondays with the exception of Tournai where they are closed on Tuesdays. There is a small entrance fee for most museums. Special entrance packages are available in main cities. Want to know more about Belgian heritage? Visit the Cultural Heritage Fund. Interested in religious architecture? Click on Belfries and Beguinages.
Before you go, brush up on some of Brussels' most visited works of art!
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A guide to Art & Architecture in Europe. Book your trip right now! |
| Brussels |
Namur area | Liège area |
| Bastogne - Luxembourg | Tournai-Mons aera | Virtual Museums |
| Brussels |
| Brussels offers visitors a rich cultural experience with over 85 different kinds of museums. Covering topics from art nouveau to history and comic strips to science, there is one catered to every imaginable taste. Browse through a sampling of museums in Brussels here. |
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Fondation Folon - La Hulpe Jean-Michel Folon has housed 300 works (watercolors paintings, artifacts, sculptures, posters and illustrations) at the Ferme du Chateau de la Hulpe, just outside Brussels. |
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Museum - Louvain-la-Neuve University Museum of Louvain-la-Neuve. The Museum is situated in the city center, The wide variety if its collections entices the visitor to join in a dialogue between ancient and modern art. As well as anonymous authors of Indian Greek, pre-Columbian, Roman,Chinese and African art there are also the prestigious names of Picasso, Magritte, Delvaux, Delahaut, as well as those of masters of engraving , including Durer, Rembrandt, Canaletto, Goya... |
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Hergé Museum - Louvain-la-Neuve A spectacular new museum dedicated to Hergé, the pen name of Georges Remi, who created the comic-book hero Tintin, opened in Louvain-la-Neuve on June 2nd. The museum is built in the shape of an elongated prism which seems to float on the forest of ancient trees. The road zigzags away below. The footpath from the viewing platform to the museum resembles a ship's gangplank |
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Tourist pass for the archeological heritage of French speaking Wallonia. |
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Bastogne Historical Center - Bastogne This museum presents you the story of the World War II episode which marked the Ardennes during the hardest Winter between '44/'45. Through books, supplies, clothes, model,... Retrieve the atmosphere of this part of War History on our land. Reopening in 2014 |
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Bastogne Ardennes 44 - Bastogne The city of Bastogne is known for the famous " Battle of the Ardennes". Another museum is dedicated to this strong World War II episode, it presents you a large view of this part of History. Gilles Bouillon collected through years with passion many guns, vehicles, maps, books and other differents military supplies. A must-to-see on two levels and 1.000 square meters.
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Collections: ancient tools, regional zoology, war. Discover the French speaking Ardennes: the Battle of the Bulge, ancient professions, the zoology. Unique collections. Arms documents and unusual objects describe the life of German and American soldiers during the war. |
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Pierre-Joseph Redouté Museum - Saint-Hubert
The museum is in honour of Pierre-Joseph Redouté, who was dubbed "The Raphael of flowers" and was especially renowned for his magnificent roses. On display are several original watercolours, prints and objects, as well as etchings from the "Description of Egypt" (by his brother Henri-Joseph Redouté, painter and zoologist). |
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The Famenne Museum - Marche-en-Famenne Located in a superb 18th century house, the Famenne Museum is a place full of memories, emotions and respect. It broaches themes from the prehistory to modern art! The Merovingian and Carolingian periods are illustrated by means of a remarkable collection found during excavations in Wellin and Hamoir. The Museum pays tribute to the Mâitre de Waha, a famous late gothic sculptor. |
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Archeoscope - Boullion The Archeoscope Godefroid de Bouillon has brought together the best in technology and production to recreate the first Crusade in the company of Duke Godfrey of Bouillon, Peter the Hermit and thousands of men making their way to Jerusalem. |
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The museum hold more than 7,000 years worth of regional and international artifacts. More than 5,200 items are displayed in chronological or thematic order. Prestigious collections from the archaeology, decorative arts, religious and Mosan art museums, glass museums as well as the famous weaponry. The Grand Curtius is located in the historical heart of the Ardent City, and offers a fresh perspective of the city, with gardens and a cafeteria that are open all year round. |
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This private villa was built in 1740 for a banker. It bears witness to the stimulating architecture and decorative arts typical of the Liege region and the refined "art de vivre" of the 18th century. Visitors can admire the beautiful collection of carved and inlaid woodwork from the 18th century as well as tapestries, leather curtains in Cordoue style, chandeliers, watches and porcelain. |
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Discover life in Wallonia through various themes and a variety of items. This new visit, the result of a state-of-the-art museography and scenography and of the watchful eye of Claude Santerre, gives visitors an eloquent history of Wallonia divided into 5 parts: Wallonia, Technical (R)evolutions, Living Together, Day by Day, Life of Spirit. |
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This museum located in a beautiful building with an open roof presents many paintings and sculptures from Belgian artists form the 19th and 20th century. Everything form Magritte to Delvaux to Lombard is on display in the collection of over 2,500 paintings not to mention the hundreds of sculptures. |
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In this museum which has been open since 1905 visitors can follow the evolution of modern and contemporary art with works by Picasso, Gaugin, Monet, Chagall. Renovated in 1993 this museum is considered by many as the most beautiful in Europe. |
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Public Transport Museum |
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In order to perpetuate the memory of the Battle of the Bulge, the Baugnez 44 Historical Center takes us through the final great operations and battles which took place during the counteroffensive “Operation Wacht Am Rhein”! This new museum opened in memory of the Battle of the Bulge and the massacre of Baugnez/Malmedy, extends over 850 Square metres and two stories. |
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The Gourmet Museum and Library Interesting, amusing, convivial. Archaeology, history and folklore of 'Gourmet'. Rare objects, furniture and paintings from ancient times to today - on gastronomy and tobacco including anecdotes told by experienced guides. The library contains the most important collection in Belgium of books on gastronomy: over 13.000 volumes. |
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The Wool & Fashion Museum - Verviers Scenographed areas, moving images and comments in several languages allow discovery of the woolen cloth manufacturing process, and the dress history. |
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Crystal Discovery Val Saint Lambert The Crystal factory and the Castle of Val Saint Lambert propose you to discover the glassworks and the history of crystal and the site. By means of historical and contemporary aids (maps, engravings, scale-models, photo's, sound clips, traditional and exceptional pieces), films and 'live' demonstrations, the visitor is immersed in the magical universe of crystal. A metamorphosis of the site combining entertainment, history and technique. |
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Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics - Verviers Ancient "Hôpital Nouveau", built in 1661 and renovated in 1912. Old paintings by Liégeois, Flemish, Dutch, French, Italian,... masters. Paintings by Belgian masters (19th c.). Contemporary paintings from several schools. Liégeois engravings. Sculptures from the 15th and 16th c., mainly polychrome woodcuts. Old and modern china and ceramics. |
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Perfumes Guy Delforge |
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Situated in an 18th century patrician house, the museum presents medieval and renaissance collections including paintings sculptures, silver, glass and embroideries. |
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Situated in the center of Old Namur in a 19th century residence the museum displays its collection in a fully renovated setting. The permanent exhibition offers a complete look into the works of Rops including lithography and engravings. |
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Open since 1935, the building is one of the finest mansions built in Namur in the 18th century. House inside is a remarkable collection of decorative arts, furniture, glass and crystal, crockery, silverware paintings and sculpture. |
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The Treasure of Hugo d'Oignies A rich collection of Mosan silver and goldsmith work of the 13th century by the monk Hugo d'Oignies in the Priory d'Oignies aux soeurs de Notre Dame. |
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Caves (grottos) of Han-sur-Lesse An old panoramic train will bring you to the entrance of the caves, a guide will lead you through 3km of increasingly beautiful chambers and passages and a romantic exit on barges on the subterranean river. |
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Museum of the strawberry and the land of Wepion The Strawberry Museum is located in a park, next to the Meuse and presents its visitors five exhibition rooms dedicated to the local history and strawberry growing. It also offers the services of a documentation centre and a boutique where you can buy regional products. |
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Gambrinus Driver Museum - Philippeville Unique museum dedicated to brewery trucks. The name Gambrinus owes its origin to the Duke of Brabant, Jan Primus, who was known as “the King of Beer”… “King of the road” for trucks and king of beer! This museum is in a former maltings-brewery-farm buildings of the 19th century and its contains 20 vehicles and 75 themed displays. |
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Museum of Fine Arts - Tournai The building designed by Victor Horta, contains numerous sculptures and paintings ranging from Primitive painters to contemporary masters, among whom are Campin, Roger Van der Weyden (born in Tournai), Brueghel, Rubens, Jordaens, Watteau Van Gogh , the only two paintings by Manet to be exhibited in Belgium and local artists. |
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Museum of Tapestry & Cloth Arts - Tournai Nine sumptuous works illustrate the golden age of Tournai tapestry art in the 15th and 16th centuries 9with notably the Siege of Jerusalem). These impressive masterpieces are displayed next to a host of contemporary tapestries. The museum is located in a neoclassical residence. |
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Museum of History and Decorative Arts - Tournai Its remarkable collection of silverware, with moulds and casts, and of gold, silver and bronze coins offer the visitor a general picture of the craftsmanship of our past artists. But it is to the traditional Tournai porcelain, a flourishing local industry between 1750 and 1850, that the museum's most lavish rooms are devoted. |
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Museum of Folklore - Tournai In an intimate and quiet 19th century atmosphere visitors will rediscover the delightful ancient trades and crafts, popular art everyday life scenes, puppets, carnivals and age-old secular traditions of the city. They bring back to life its prestigious historical past and lead you to the very soul of Tournai. |
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Modern Art Museum (MAC) - Hornu/Mons It was brought into being by the decree of 12th Germinal year V and it was the first public building the town possessed. The new museum that we see today was planned by the architect Ernest Vandestrate. It display works from the 14th to the 20th centuries, covering the different schools of painting, but most particularly contemporary art (1960-1990). |
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The Mundaneum Museum - Mons The Mundaneum is located in an old large Ar Déco store. It is an archive centre, a place for temporary exhibitions conferences and debates that wants to let relive the utopian view of its two founders in 1895: bibliographer Paul Otlet and Henri Lafontaine, winner of the Nobel prize for peace (1913) The museum was featured in the Science section of the New York Times (06/17/2008) |
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Charleroi Photography Museum - Charleroi It is one of the largest photography museum in Europe. In addition to the negatives, the museum owns roughly 80,000 prints dating from the invention of photography until today. A rotating, representational selection of about 1,000 of them are on a display at all times, which means that on any day and by means of superb works by major international figures, you can survey the history of photography at the museum. |
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Museum of Fine Arts - Charleroi Located in the Town Hall, it offers a rich collection that covers the main artistic schools in Belgium from the 19th century on into the 20th century: neo-classicism, realism social realism, impressionism, expressionism, surrealism and abstract art. |
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The Hospital our Lady with the Rose - Lessine Its was founded in 1942 and is one of the last examples of a self-sufficient hospital, complete with farm, gardens, ice chamber and cemetery, next to the convent buildings and hospital. |
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Tramway Museum - Thuin It houses the most complete collection of rural trams in Belgium; the oldest steam engine dating from 1888, the oldest electric tram entirely built in Belgium and the only PCC rail car. There are nearly fifty of these gems. |
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Silver Museum - Seneffe The castle is at the centre of a remarkable 18th century group of buildings which includes an orangery, a neoclassic theatre, an aviary and gardens, set in a park of 22 ha. The castle is the Silversmiths' Museum of the French-speaking community and houses a European Silver collection. Numerous temporary exhibitions are organised there. You can find all the information on our website. |
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| Bois du Cazier - Marcinelle (Charleroi)
The Bois du Cazier is located south of Charleroi and is a place full of life in an industrial patrimony. This remarkable architectural complex lies in the middle of nature between 3 slagheaps, which have become walking paths. This place, where a dreadful mining disaster took place, is an interesting and complete museum on coal, steel and glass with 3 sections: -The Industry Museum, covering the era of the Industrial Revolution -The Glass Museum, tracing the origin and history of glass -The site dedicated to the tragedy of 8 August 1956 Discover also: the Memorial in honour of the 262 victims, the wooded domain with the memorial lane and the observatory, as well as the forge and foundry workshops. |
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Ecomuseum of Bois-du-Luc - Mons The Bois-du-Luc, a mining site listed as exceptional Walloon heritage, invites you to discover the work and daily life of a miner and his family. At the end of the 19th century, the Société des Charbonnages du Bois-du-Luc (created in 1685) founded the Saint-Emmanuel pit. Nearby it created a unique village model. At the village, which was under the supervision of the Director, the workers could eat (grocery, butcher, mill-brewery), get treatment (home, hospital), relax (hall, park and kiosk, leisure activities), learn (schools, library) and pray (Saint-Barbe church). |
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Giant's House - Ath In this wonderful residence you'll discover the giants which participate in processions. These European folk traditions are presented through audiovisual shows. The giants are for Ath what the fantasy figures and animals are for other European countries. |
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International Carnival and Mask Museum - Binche Enter the fascinating universe of the mask. Travel through the world of winter feasts and carnivals. Discover the ritual functions of the mask in the five continents and the masked festivities in the country. Get to know the big European city carnivals, the carnivals of Wallonia and the famous carnival of Binche. Enjoy the carnival of Binche, as if you were there, by means of an audiovisual show on big screen. |
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All you want to know about the heart of Brussels including an interactive, virtual map. |
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A virtual gallery of the painter's life and works. |
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Visit the site of Belgium most famous comic strip character. |
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Museum Search Engines
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Le Guide Colvert - great information on attractions, museums in Belgium, and more.....
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ATC is a non-profit association which promotes plays written by American authors and others. They usually perform at The Warehouse Studio Theater. |
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MusicInBelgium.net |
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The Queen Elisabeth Competition covers the musical disciplines of piano, voice, violin and composition. The performance sessions take place every four years and the competition for composers every two years. |
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The Royal Museum for Fine Arts regularly hosts musical performances and festivals. A calendar of performances can be found on their website, www.bozar.be. |
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Brussels' main concert venue hosts musical talent from Belgium and internationally celebrated artists and pop stars. |
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This festival takes place in the enchanting city of Namur. It is for the true music lover, with musical novelties in historic places. Portions of the festival are intended for a younger audience. |
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International Competition Adolphe Sax The 5th International Adolphe Sax Competition will take place in Dinant from October-November 2010. Adolphe Sax was born in Dinant and invented the saxophone. |
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Tickets for concerts and music festivals throughout Belgium. |
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Performances in Belgium are in French or Dutch. Other performances are given in the original language.
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Belgium has a great opera tradition. It was during an opera performance of “La Muette de Portici” that following a rebellion on stage the spectators were so excited that they rushed out of the theater to the neighboring Royal Park. There they started the revolution that led to the separation of the Belgians from the Dutch and the independence of the country. International productions of world renowned operas are performed in four major opera houses listed below. |
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For the fourth time, at the end of the month of June, the Symphonic Orchestra, the Monnaie chorus, along with the Monnaie's children's choir will give a free concert on the Brussels Grand-Place. Last year, the event attracted an audience of between 5000 and 6000 spectators. The orchestra, conducted by Kazushi ONO, will pay homage to the opera I Pagliacci. |
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Built by Joseph Poelaert in an eclectic style, the auditorium combines French and Italian features. It can seat 1,152 people and is a magnificent example of European theatre architecture. In 1999 the restored canvas by the Parisian set designers François-Joseph Nolau and Alfred Rubé was reinstalled on the cupola. |
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Opera Royal de Wallonie in Liege Built at the end of the first quarter of the 19th century by the architect Duckers, this theatre is a massive parallelepiped. Its main facade is adorned with a marble colonnade from the old church of the Chartreux in Cornillon, ending in a balustrade and surmounting the arcades of the ground floor. Allegorical figures are sculpted on the vast triangular pediment. |
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| Exhibitions & Galleries | |
| For a complete list of permanent and temporary exhibitions and galleries, please visit our Calendar of Events. |
