FROM THE SABLON TO THE MAROLLES AND BACK

© OPT/JP Remy

We are not responsible for possible price changes. Please contact the organiser before you go.

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'.

© Brussels International Tourism & Congress

Comment:

On your way... (Also see the list with tourist information linked to this walk)

Buildings and Squares:
Place Poelaert and the panoramic view over the city.
Place du Jeu de Balle.

Some nice stops...
Le Grand Sablon: great restaurants and terraces.
La Rue des Renards and the Place du Jeu de Balle: popular bars.

Extra information:

Restaurants in the Marolles:
Stekerlapatte: Belgian cuisine.
Les Petits Oignons: cosy setting - French cuisine.
La Grande Porte: Brussels specialties.
L'Arrosoir: original setting in a greenhouse.
Het Warm Water: Brussels and vegetarian specialties - breakfast.
Orphyse Chaussette: theatre setting.
Bazaar: baroque atmosphere.

Shopping :
Antiques and book market at the Sablon.
Market on the Place du Jeu de Balle, the most famous flea market of Brussels.
Antique dealers and art galleries at the Sablon and the surrounding area.
Shops for interior decoration, Rue Haute and Rue Blaes.
Chocolate: Wittamer, Godiva, Neuhaus and Marcolini at the Sablon.

Learn more about this:

Tourist information linked to this suggestion:

BREUGHEL MUSEUM - FRANS HEULENS (BRUXELLES) © OPT/Alexandre Pire The house where Breughel lived and died. Address: Rue Haute 132 1000 BRUXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 513 89 40 know more...

CHURCH OF NOTRE-DAME DE LA CHAPELLE (BRUXELLES) © Karina Nestler Remarkable by its Romanesque and Romanesque-Gothic architecture, it is accordingly one of the most interesting in Belgium. One of its chapels is devoted to the memory of Pieter Breughel the Elder and his wife, Marie Coucke. In the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament, a commemorative plaque serves as a reminder that François Anneessens, the leader of the guilds who was executed for having defended our communal liberties, is buried there. Address: Place de la Chapelle 1000 BRUXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 512 07 37 know more...

CHURCH OF NOTRE-DAME DU SABLON (BRUXELLES) © Karina Nestler In 1304 a small chapel was built by the city's crossbowmen on the then empty square. In the 15th century, the chapel was rebuilt and then given lasting legitimacy by the attendance of leading figures from the aristocracy. In the 15th century, the area was one of the most attractive and festive in Brussels. Today the church is seen as a remarkable example of the Ogival style in the city. Inside, the central nave is illuminated by 11 stained-glass windows measuring 15 metres in height. In 1549, a small chapel was added to the church, dedicated to the Tour and Tassis family : founders in Brussels of the city's international postal service at the beginning of the 16th century. Address: Rue de la Régence 38 1000 BRUXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 511 57 41 know more...

CHURCH OF SAINTS JEAN ET ETIENNE AUX MINIMES (BRUXELLES) © S. Rovenne Remarkable by its style and its harmonious proportions, it marks the transition between the 17th century Flemish Baroque and the neo-classicism which became popular in the 18th century. Address: Rue des Minimes 62 1000 BRUXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 511 93 84 know more...

GRAND SABLON SQUARE (BRUXELLES) © OPT/ J-P REMY This pleasant architectural ensemble has houses from the 16th to the 19th century. Today it is essentially home to high-class antiques shops, typical restaurants and chocolate sellers. The square is a good meeting point for dinner or a weekend brunch, or for an atmospheric walk. Every weekend the antiques market on the church side enlivens the square with its red and green awnings, pulling in crowds of curious onlookers. Address: Place du Grand Sablon 1000 BRUXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 513 89 40 know more...

LAW COURTS (BRUXELLES) © Karina Nestler Built in the grand ancient style by architect J. Poelaert. The buildingwork began in 1866 and finished in 1883 during the reign of Leopold II. A veritable labyrinth, it covers a surface area of 26,000 m² and was one of the largest buildings in Europe at the end of the 19th century. Address: Place Poelaert 1000 BRUXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 508 65 78 know more...

PETIT SABLON SQUARE (BRUXELLES) © Karina Nestler This park begins at the Gothic columns at the enclosure of the square, joined by a superb wrought iron gate. Each column is topped by a bronze statuette representing an old profession. 48 crafts and trades from yesteryear are illustrated. The "four crowned" : builders, stone-cutters, sculptors and slate-quarry workers, are represented by a craftsman, with the features of the architect Henri Beyaert. At the far end of the garden, on a small height, a monument and ten big statues are gathered. The monument, in a Flemish neorenaissance style, made by Fraikin in 1864, depicts the Counts of Egmont and Hornes, executed on the scaffold on 5 June 1568, because they stood up too much to the Spanish tyranny. Address: Rue de la Régence 1000 BRUXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 513 89 40 know more...

01/01/2008›31/12/2008 : THE SABLON ANTIQUES MARKET (BRUXELLES) © Marché des Antiquaires du Sablon The Sablon antiques market is the place to be for antique amateurs. Address: Place du Grand Sablon 1000 BRUXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 478 23 16 know more...

01/01/2008›31/12/2008 : JEU DE BALLE: SECONDHAND/FLEA MARKET OF THE MAROLLES (BRUXELLES) © OPT / J.P. Remy Flea market, antiques, collections,... In a very typical and cosy atmosphere! Address: Place du Jeu de Balle 1000 BRUXELLES Tel.:+32 (0) 2 279 40 40 know more...