In the heart of Brussels

It is the landmark of Brussels. Historically, the Grand-Place in Brussels was essentially a market place where traders and citizens sold and bought food. As a result, all the streets surrounding the square are named after food. Nowadays, you can admire large old buildings that were built in place of the old market.

The Royal Palace of Belgium is one of the most beautiful official buildings in the city of Brussels. Located opposite the National Parliament, across the Royal Park, the Royal Palace symbolises the Belgian system of government, i.e. a constitutional monarchy. The Palace is the place where His Majesty the King exercises his prerogatives as head of state. It is at the Palace that the King grants audiences and deals with the affairs of state.

An iconic monument of Brussels, the famous Manneken Pis reflects the rebellious spirit of the City of Brussels. Its wardrobe includes more than 900 costumes. The Museum of the City of Brussels presents about one hundred of these costumes. A multimedia database allows visitors to consult the entire wardrobe of the famous 'ketje'.

The Atomium was designed by the engineer André Waterkeyn and built by the architects André and Jean Polak for the 1958 World Exhibition in Brussels, Belgium. Along with the Manneken-Pis and the Grand-Place, it has become a symbol of the Belgian capital. It is a replica of an iron crystal enlarged 165 billion times.

Of the six spheres accessible to the public, the base sphere is reserved for the permanent exhibition devoted to the 1950s, the World Fair and the construction of the Atomium. Another sphere is used for temporary exhibitions, while a third is used for various events, films, concerts, parties and conferences.

In the central sphere, there is a bar and in the upper sphere, in addition to the panorama, there is a restaurant.

In the building of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, visitors will be able to discover the largest collection of works by René Magritte in the world. The collection is a perfect example of René Magritte's work and covers all periods of his life. The works on display, including his most important masterpieces, come mainly from the inheritance of Irène Scutenaire-Hamoir and Georgette Magritte and from purchases made by the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, supplemented by works on loan from private individuals.

This beautiful square with its unique architecture is surrounded by houses dating from the 16th to the 19th century. It is home to antique shops, typical restaurants and chocolatiers. The square is the ideal meeting point for dinner or brunch at the weekend. Every weekend, the antique market near the church brings the square to life with its red and green awnings, attracting curious onlookers.

The European Commission is one of the main institutions of the European Union, together with the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament and the European Council. The European Commission's main function is to propose (legislative initiative) and implement Community policies. As the "guardian of the Treaties", it ensures that they are applied and enjoys a virtual monopoly on the right of initiative in the area of the Union's exclusive competences.

Visits to the European Commission are organised throughout the year.