Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

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Belgium : Brussels - November 2008

Country Code: Dial for Belgium

November is a perfect time to do some pre-emptive shopping in the Belgian capital before the Christmas rush. As far as the city’s cultural life goes, the calendar remains packed, with the fi rst ever Brussels Biennial contemporary art fair running from 1 November – 4 January. Thursday evening openings at selected museums are also worth checking out. Renée Cordes gets in there quickly

Getting around

Brussels Airport

Bus: The No 12 bus runs every 30 minutes between the airport and Rond-Point Schuman. The journey takes about 30 minutes. A oneway ticket costs €3.
Train: Trains from the airport run every 20 minutes at peak times. The journey takes 15 minutes and trains go to Brussels’ three mainline stations. Tickets cost approximately €2,80
Taxi: A taxi from the airport to the city centre will cost around €25-35. The journey should take about 25 minutes.
Tourist information: The main tourist office can be found on Grand’Place in the city centre (tel. , www.brussels.

ETTERBEEK

This small but densely populated commune, once an independent municipality, boasts a decent selection of cultural and culinary treasures.

Sleep soundly – Housed in an early 20th-century mansion, the four-star Best Western Premier Park Hotel has a private garden, a saunaequipped health club and scores points for its full English breakfast.

Culture vultures – One of the finest examples of art nouveau architecture in Brussels, the Maison de Cauchie (5 Rue des Francs), is a must-see for aficionados. The recently refurbished building is open to the public the first week of every month. The ornate façade features sgraffito, decoration etched directly onto the wall through a layer of contrasting plaster.

Must eat – Near the university, Le Mess (1 Avenue Louis Schmidt, tel. ) is a lively, family-friendly restaurant in an old army barracks that serves fusion food such as veal with tuna sauce and courgettes, or decent vegetarian dishes like vegetable tian with tomatoes and rocket. Near the Montgomery underground station, cosy Le Monde est Petit (65 Rue des Bataves, tel. ) is a great place for a romantic evening. It does modern takes on Belgian classics and Asian-accented fish and pasta.

Must drink – For a steaming cup of hot chocolate or gourmet coffee, make a beeline for Leonidas (32-34 Rue de Tongres), a chocolate shop and café.

MAROLLES

Anchored by the Palais de Justice and the newly spruced-up Porte de Hal, the Marolles is proud of its feisty, workingclass spirit. Home to antique shops and Brussels’ most beloved flea market, the district has a unique, village-like ambience.

Culture vultures – The area’s most famous resident, painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder, lived in the house at 132 Rue Haute which is now a museum. He and his wife are buried at the Notre-Dame de la Chapelle (Place de la Chapelle), an architectural mélange of Romanesque and gothic styles.

Must eat – Among the cluster of cafés on the gentrified Place Bruegel, Quartier Gourmand (18 Rue de l’Epée, tel. ) has the most extensive breakfast offerings. For dinner, rub shoulders with locals at the cosy Au Stekerlapatte (4 Rue des Prêtres, tel. ), a traditional place that serves hearty Belgian favourites like mussels, steak tartar and pork knuckles.

Must drink – Soak up the unique Bruxellois atmosphere at La Fleur en Papier Doré (53 Rue des Alexiens), a tiny bar frequented by René Magritte and other surrealist artists whose colourful doodles have been preserved on the walls.

Dance the night away – Located in a former monastery, Bazaar (63 Rue des Capucins) pulls in a glam 30-something set who strut their stuff to disco and salsa. Cavernous and always crowded, techno club Fuse (208 Rue Blaes) plays host to guest DJs from all over Europe.

Shop til you drop – Find fantastic bargains or just have a look at the daily flea market on the Place du Jeu de Balle. Otherwise, Rue Haute and the parallel Rue Blaes are teeming with brica- brac, furniture and design shops.

Compiled by La Tentation

Previous issues for Brussels

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy,
please confirm event/venue details in advance.

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