Art Nouveau and Back Alleys in Brussels, Belgium - 24-Hour Travel Guide
The Sainte-Catherine Chapel (courtesy of Flickr - unorthodoxy)
Dinner at Rue de Bouchers (courtesy of Flickr - tavallai)
An old world evening at the Falstaff (courtesy of Flickr - austety)
Overview - It’s easy to get stuck into the typical tourist sites in Brussels. But there is so much more to the city than the overpriced taverns on the Grand Place. Today, we’ll explore art nouveau architecture in Ixelles and go flea market shopping in Marolles.
Breakfast - The best place to start a day in Brussels is at the Snack à Pat café. This very local joint is on a corner in the beautiful Ste. Catherine, and they have only the freshest food to get your day going. Try a crispy croissant or one of their salmon and cream cheese baguettes!
Morning - Spend the morning winding your way through the charming streets and back alleys in Vismet, west of Boulevard Anspach. From Ste. Catherine, where you had breakfast, you can walk south to the Sainte-Catherine Chapel, which is home to the Black Madonna and child – a statue that was fished out of the river after some angry Protestants tried to throw it away. The Place Ste. Catherine, just outside the church, is a lovely square flanked by cafes and trees.
Lunch - Head across town to the Louise metro stop and grab lunch at the sweet News Café. This discreet restaurant offers a reliable selection of fare and beers – good portions and good prices. They also have a nice interior décor and display world news on two TV channels, so you can catch up on your current affairs while you dine!
Afternoon - One of the most interesting spots in Brussels is the flea market at Place de Jeu de Balle, just off Rue Blaes in Marolles. A quick walk south from your lunch will get you there, and along the way you can explore the dusty antique and vintage clothing shops along Rue Blaes itself. At the flea market, vendors set up tables or spread blankets to sell all sorts of antiques, housewares and just plain random goods. It’s a great place to go if you’re looking for antique flatware, old paintings or funky jewelry!
Dinner - Rue de Bouchers is a street filled with nothing but small seafood restaurants, just near the Grand Place in old Brussels. The awnings and umbrellas of each café cover the narrow walking path, and they all display their menus and buckets of fresh fish and lobster at the entrance. These open-air restaurants are all very competitive in pricing, so meander up and down and choose the first place that strikes your fancy! This is a great time to try Moules Frites (mussels and fries) or splash out for a fresh lobster!
After Dark - Round out the day in the Falstaff (Rue Henri Maus), an Art Deco style café. The old tables, red upholstered chairs and plethora of mirrors and dark wood give this place a historical, cosy feel. They have a selection of local Belgian brews to choose from, such as Leffe Brune, a tasty brown abbey ale.
Sleep -
The Hotel Chantecler is cute, clean and centrally located. A dedicated hotelier, who is often seen roving about the lobby, chatting to guests and supervising the free breakfast, runs this small hotel. It’s located a stone’s throw away from the famous Bourse stock museum as well as the Grand Place and some of the rooms have lovely French doors that open onto the cobbled quaint street below.
Tags: flea market, Church, art nouveau