Brussels : A sophisticated and cosmopolitan city
Why visit Brussels - How to get there - More info about Brussels - An Irish look at Brussels - Where to stay in Brussels - What to do in Brussels - What bring back from Brussels . Recipe for Apple Crumble with speculoos.
par Gael Staunton
Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium but also of Europe. With the image of its famous founder Manneken Pis and his sister Jeanneke Pis, Brussels could be called a friendly European town with a million inhabitants. Everywhere in Europe we hear "Brussels decides or Brussels demands"......
Part of Brussels architecture was lost during the 20th century, however today we discover a charming equilibrate, a vestige of its Flemish past, art-deco, triumphal avenues and contemporary architecture (The European Parliament).
Brussels is in the midst of urban regeneration thinking of the future, and is at present renovating the central train station area. It is however in the heart of the city in the main square ( The Grand' Place - La Grand-Place), recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that one senses the real city. Here we have an exceptional mixture of the eclectic and the different architectural styles of the regional society. Have a stroll in the narrow streets in the area, taste the beers, waffles and chocolates... And appreciate the wonderfully relaxed atmosphere that reigns here....
10 reasons to visit the Belgian capital Brussels
1- The reputation of the European village of the Belgian capital.
2- A complete change of scene just one and a half hours from Paris
3- The wonderfully warm welcome that awaits you.
4- The smile on your face when you see the Mannequin Pies
5- A paradise for lovers of comics.
6- For chocolate maniacs, there are chocolate makers every 100 metres
7- Karl Marx, Victor Hugo, Audrey Hepburn, Hergé, Magritte , Jacques Brel, James Ensor, Marguerite Yourcenar, Dominique Rolin, Rimbaud, Pierre Alechinsky, Van Gogh... have all either lived, stayed some time or were born or died in the city
8- To taste the wonderful selection of Belgian beers brewed here in a relaxed atmosphere
9- To discover Belgian creativity, design, arts, fashion,
10 - So that Waterloo is not just a historical battle. (also La Joconde by Magritte).
By train Thalys, one hour and twenty minutes (lunch is offered in first class).
On arrival the metro and tram system are first class.
You can also avail of the Brussels Card which entitles you to discover Brussels and with it you have free access to 30 museums
and you can discover the bargains offered by the boutiques de createurs, as well as shops expositions, restaurants and all the attractions of the city.
( Brussels Card 24 hours for 24 euros, 48hours for 34euros, 72hours for 40euros)
FOR LUCK : go and rub the effigy of the Chevalier Seclaes in the Grande Place.
ATOMIUM : Visit the Atomium; at a height of 102 meters you can enjoy a magnificent view of the city. On clear days you can see the cathedral of Anvers.
This is a favourite place for young lovers to make a proposal of marriage (over 30 couples in 2009).
THE CHOCOLATE AND CACAO MUSEUM http://www.mucc.be
Musée du Cacao et du Chocolat de Bruxelles Rue de la Tête d'Or 9 -11 - 1000 Bruxelles Tel: +32 2 514 20 48 Fax: +32 2 325 87 48 ...
Magritte Museum : www.musee-magritte-museum.be
Koningsplein 1 Place Royale 1000 Brussels, Belgium 02 508 32 11
The Royal Fine Arts Museum of Belgium
www.fine-arts-museum.be
Rue du Musée 9 1000 Bruxelles
Tél.: 32.(0)2.508.32.11 Fax: 32.(0)2.508.32.32
Brussels museums : www.bruxelles.musees_de_bruxelles.shtml
More than 80 museums in Brussels
THINGS TO BRING BACK FROM BRUSSELS ?
Chocolates, Waffles, Speculoos, Belgian beer and comics. chocolat, des gaufres, des speculoos... de la bière, de la bonne humeur.... des bandes dessinées....
Nous aimions le CONRAD HOTEL et ASPRIA SPA ***** (COUP de CŒUR)
Stay at this beautiful palace in the avenue Louise (Louizalaan) The avenue Louise is to Brussels like the Champs Elysées is to Paris or Grafton Street to Dublin, Regent Street to London. Located five minutes by metro from the main train station (gare du midi), and a few minutes from the centre of Brussels. Why not spoil yourself by using the wonderful Aspria Avenue Louise Spa (voted the number one well-being club of Europe in 2010). Conrad de Bruxelles is a mixture of luxury and refinement with Brussels conviviality. www.conradhotel
Avenue Louise 71, Brussels, 1050, Belgium - Tel: 32-2-5424242
Mais l’hôtel Conrad de Bruxelles est devenu en 2012, le Steigenberger, nous vous le raconterons bientôt.
HÔTEL DESIGN BLOOM : The originality of its contemporary style blended with space and light gives the Bloom Hotel its character. Amongst the artists who have painted the frescoes are three Irish painters
Rue Royale 250 1210 Brussels, Belgium 02 220 66 11 www.hotelbloom.com
HÔTEL FLORIS : A few paces from the Grand-Place the Floris Hotel is very design in a calm street in the picturesque part of Brussels : http://www.florishotels.fr/
rue de la Fourche 17-19 B-1000 Bruxelles, Belgique
Tel.: 00 32 (0)2 514 16 15 - Fax: 00 32 (0)2 514 22 02
RECIPE by Gaël Staunton INSPIRED PAR BRUDELS :
Apple Crumble with Speculoos
Preparation 10mn cooking time 25mn
Ingredients (six persons)
One packet of spéculoos(We like Jules Destrooper Speculoos with real butter)
3 apples (or pares)the speculoos in a salad bowl
75 grams of butter
Preparation
Cut the apples in squares
Crumble the speculoos in a salad bowl, and then add butter
Mix the two with fingers to obtain a sandy paste
Butter the inside of the cooking dish and put the sliced apples in
and pour the paste on top
Cooking time in the oven at thermo 6 (180°C) is 25 mn.
Serve with custard.
BOIRE sans DÉBOIRE à BRUXELLES : LA BIERE
Chaque région touristique met ses produits gastronomiques à l'honneur, parmi eux figure le vin, la bière, les eaux de vie et autres alcools. Les problèmes liés à la surconsommation ne sont plus ignorés comme sont connus les bienfaits d'une consommation raisonnée. C'est bien sûr de celle-ci qu'il s'agit dans cette rubrique.
Alors avec modération, il est tout à fait gourmand de déguster de trés bonne bière à Bruxelles dans des bars, des cafés, des estaminets très sympas et dont la carte des bières est époustoufflante, nos amis belges pretendent qu'il y a près de 1200 bières belges : la Saint-Feuillien, La Chouffe, la Corne du bois des Pendus, des Pils, des Bieres Rouges, des Bieres Brunes
Il y a même une application iPhone : Beer Passport Belgium
About BEER
Musée des Brasseurs Belges : www.beerparadise.be
Musée Bruxellois de la Gueuze : www.cantillon.be
Brasserie Cantillon : irish connection
In France, Office de Tourisme Belge : www.belgique-tourisme.fr
Office de Tourisme de Bruxelles : www.visitbrussels.be
Tickets Train : www.thalys.com
Gourvernement Belge : http://www.belgium.be/fr
Séjourner à Bruxelles : conrad hôtel et spa
Musée Magritte : Ceci n'est pas l'adresse du musée...
Centre belge de la Bande déssinée : CBBD
Le site de la ville de Bruxelles : www.bruxelles.be
Ireland Embassy , Belgium : Chaussée d"Etterbeek 180 Etterbeeksesteenweg Bruxelles 1040 Brussel Belgium - Phone: 02 235 66 76 Fax: 02 235 66 70 02 235 66 71Email: brusselsembassy@dfa.ie
Website URL: www.embassyofireland.be
Une attraction par jour en Belgique : www.365.be/
Le Journal du Petit Belge : un blog d'un belge qui aime passionnément (et on le comprend) son pays. De belles histoires, anecdotes et bien documenté.
A lire pour le plaisir.
Belgians in Paris, le webzine des Belges à Paris : www.the-bip.com
Centre Wallonie- Bruxelles à Paris : www.cwb.fr/
There are about 15000 Irish people living in Brussels, there is an Irish Club and even an Irish basketball team etc
If by chance you are looking for some Irish ambiance during your stay, you will have no trouble finding it in the various Irish pubs such as The James Joyce, Wild Geese, Murphys Law, and The Sean O'Casey....
Irish Club in Brussels : www.irishclub.be
Irish Theatre Group : irishtheatregroup.com
TO VISIT NEAR BRUSSELS : LOUVAIN
For anyone interested in things Irish we recommend a visit to Louvain 30kms from Brussels
Over 400 years ago the Irish Franciscans came to Louvain. The Louvain Institute is today part of the oldest Catholic University
in Europe founded in 1425.
Vous pouvez nous contacter en envoyant un mail à l’adresse suivante : contact