Bruxelles, capitale officielle de la Belgique et capitale officieuse de l'Europe, s'impose comme le point de rencontre des cultures germaniques et romanes, au charme interculturel et moderne. Le duel des langues officielles du français et du néerlandais donne à chaque rue et lieu deux noms, et l'anglais est également largement parlé, grâce au Parlement européen et à d'autres organisations stationnées ici qui en font un centre politique international. Les halls de guilde ornés qui bordent la Grand-Place classique sont la pièce maîtresse de la ville et la vitrine, mais l'Atomium mérite également une visite, un bâtiment étrange de sphères d'acier créé pour l'Exposition universelle de 1958 qui fonctionne maintenant comme un musée offrant une vue imprenable sur la ville. La Belgique apparemment bloquée dans une compétition de confiserie avec les Suisses, une tournée du chocolat à Bruxelles donne un aperçu de la croissance de l'industrie ici et, bien sûr, implique de nombreux échantillons. Les visiteurs peuvent continuer à goûter à travers la ville jusque tard dans la soirée avec une visite de la bière, où le riche héritage monastique de la bière belge jaillit du verre. Au-delà de la capitale, Gand et Bruges permettent des excursions d'une journée faciles, deux villes charmantes à l'architecture médiévale à un peu plus d'une heure de route. L'emplacement central de la ville permet également d'aller plus loin pour des excursions dans la campagne flamande et les champs de bataille historiques, ou dans le Luxembourg ou Amsterdam voisin (chacun un peu plus de deux heures de route).
The weather in Brussels is notoriously rainy and cool. The summers tend to get less rainfall and a good amount of sunshine, particularly in the warmest, driest months of July and August. If you want easygoing weather and fewer crowds, visit in September or early October, when it’s still relatively pleasant out and a little less rainy than winter or spring.
The best way to get around Brussels is by public transit, and there’s an extensive network of metros, trams, buses, and local trains connecting all areas of the city and its surrounding suburbs. There’s also a boat service—Waterbus—that travels up and down the river between Vilvoorde Centrum and Place Sainctelette. If you plan to stick to sightseeing, the local hop-on hop-off bus is a convenient option and you can reserve tickets in advance.
If you like your beer served up with plenty of atmosphere, head over to Au Bon Vieux Temps, a tiny but beautiful pub set at the back of a narrow alley. This historic pub allegedly opened its doors back in 1695, and the interior decor does much to confirm this claim. Decor highlights include an elegantly carved wooden bar, beamed ceilings, and tons of stained glass.
Brussels is known for its food and drink—particularly beer, chocolate, fries, and waffles—and for the large number of international organizations based there, including NATO and the European Commission. It’s also famous for its varied architecture, especially around the city’s central square, the Grand Place.
...PlusBelgium has many famous attractions, from historic battle sites to stately old buildings. Four famous ones are the canals of the medieval city of Bruges, buildings of the Grand Place in Brussels, World War I battlefields of Flanders, and Jan Van Eyck's Ghent Altarpiece at St. Bavo's Cathedral.
...PlusBelgium gets a lot of rain, so many of the more popular things to do in the country involve spending time indoors (think visiting museums and hanging out in cozy brewpubs). When the weather is pleasant, however, people head outdoors to spend time at local beaches and parks.
...PlusYes. While Brussels merits more than a day, it's compact enough that you can easily do a lot in just one day. If you want to hit up all the main sights in just one day, you're probably best off joining a sightseeing tour, either by bus or bicycle.
...PlusYes. Many people in Brussels speak fluent English, which can partially be attributed to the presence of large international organizations (notably the EU and NATO). While Brussels is in the Flemish part of Belgium, French is more commonly used than the Flemish Dutch language that dominates in the surrounding region.
...PlusBrussels has all sorts of special features, from beautiful old buildings to an abundance of chocolatiers. You'll also find plenty of alley bars—tiny pubs tucked away in old alleys. While beer and liquor are the main draw at most of these establishments, some also serve up fantastic food.
...PlusNombre d'attractions | 47 |
|---|---|
Nombre de visites | 406 |
Nombre d'avis | 14 310 |
Devise | EUR |
FR
