NEW Hergé Museum in Louvain-la-Neuve

Who is Hergé?

Born Georges Rémi, Belgian artist Hergé (1907-1983) created his nom de plume from the French pronunciation of his inverted initials, RG.   His most celebrated accomplishment is that of the iconic Tintin, whom he debuted in a 1929 edition of the Catholic publication, Le Petit Vingtième.  The curious reporter Tintin and his ever-present fox terrier Snowy were an instant success.  Today, 80 years after his debut, 230 million Tintin comic books in over 80 languages have been sold around the world.  The iconic hero continues in his popularity, with Steven Spielberg planning to direct a 3-D Tintin film to be released in December 2011.

Where can you see his art?

Construction began on the NEW Hergé Museum on November 7, 2007 in celebration of Hergé’s 100th birthday.  Fanny Rodwell, Hergé’s wife, privately funded the 20 million dollars needed to construct the museum.  Designed by acclaimed French architect Christian de Portzamparc, the Hergé Museum marks the first public exhibition of the artist’s monumental body of work that, until now, had been sitting in bank vaults and studios.

Along with Hergé’s work, the 3600 m² museum also includes permanent and temporary exhibition areas, a video projection room, a cafeteria, shops, studios storehouses and administrative premises.

Address: Rue Labrador, 26, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve

E-mail: info@museeherge.com

Telephone: +32(2)62.62.421             Fax : +32(2)646.14.59

Hours and Admission: Open Tuesday-Sunday (closed Monday), 10 am- 6 pm, *Closed:  05/01, 11/01, 12/25, 01/01

General Admission:9.50 EUR; Student:7 EUR; Children (Ages 7-14):5 EUR

Groups: Reservation must be made at least four days in advance

How do you get there?

Train:

Louvain-la-Neuve is easily accessible by train, the station is located in the very center of town. From Brussels, you can get to Louvain-la-Neuve in about 50 minutes.  Trains depart every half hour. Roundtrip ticket: 9.60 EUR

**If you are travelling to Louvain-la-Neuve by train, be sure to ask for a ticket to "Louvain-la-Neuve Université" (NOT Louvain or Leuven, which is a different city!)

Some trains go straight from Brussels to Louvain-la-Neuve but take more time (70 minutes)

Timetables are available on the web site of the SNCB, or by phone:  +32(2)555.25.25

Bus:

From Brussels, buses from TEC serve Louvain-la-Neuve, Line Conforto Louvain-la-Neuve - Wavre - Bruxelles (Line C).  You can get to Louvain-la-Neuve in about 35 minutes.  Buses depart every half hour.   Ticket: 3.25 EUR

Leave from: Auderghem - Delta Metro Station

Arrive at: Louvain-la-Neuve - Gare TEC

Timetables are available via TEC website or by phone (+32/10/23.53.53)

For more information on the Hergé Museum, please visit: www.museeherge.be

To learn more about Tintin, please visit: www.tintin.com