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Paleis op de Meir
This palatial mid-18th-century building was used by Napoleon when he visited Antwerp in 1811 and later by the Belgian royal family. The most accessible sections are used by interior-design shop Flamant, a restaurant and chocolate shop Chocolate Line, whose walls maintain some remar
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Musée des Arts Anciens du Namurois
In an 18th-century mansion, this interesting museum displays old artworks from the local region, paintings by 16th-century artist Henri Blès and many religious pieces, including a hoard of priceless Mosan chalices, crosses and reliquaries with a very colourful history. Entry fees r
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Musée de la Brasserie
Brussels’ brewery museum is authentic in the sense that it occupies the basement of the brewers’ guildhall and has some 18th-century brewing equipment. But visitors are often disappointed at its small size and the lack of any actual brewing taking place (though you do get a beer at
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Musée Constantin Meunier
This intimate museum occupies an Ixelles town house that was the last home and studio of Brussels-born artist Constantin Meunier (1831–1905) and presents a substantial collection of his later works. Meunier is best known for emotive sculptures and social-realist paintings, includin
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Speelgoedmuseum
With 7000 sq metres of toys, games, dolls, teddies and pastimes, the wonderful Speelgoedmuseum has lots to keep the kids busy. Meanwhile, adults can peruse the history of toys, walk inside a ‘Bruegel’ painting and get maudlin over the nostalgic range of playthings, from Meccano to
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Musée Tchantchès
Outremeuses rakish resident, Tchantchès, appeared one day between two stones in 760, in Charlamagnes reign. This folklore hero and city mascot refused to drink his mothers milk at birth, instead screaming for pékèt (local gin). Despite age hes still working, starring in puppet thea
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Grote Markt
As with every great Flemish city, Antwerp’s medieval heart is a classic Grote Markt (Market Sq). Here the triangular, pedestrianised space features the voluptuous, baroque Brabo Fountain depicting Antwerp’s giant-killing, hand-throwing legend. Flanked on two sides by very photogeni
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Tour & Taxis
A postal sorting shed doesn’t sound like an immediate tourist draw, but the Tour & Taxis complex is an architectural masterpiece, its 21st-century revamp creating a fine exhibition and commercial space in these Victorian warehouses and customs depots. It’s all part of the ongoi
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Place du Petit Sablon
About 200m uphill from Place du Grand Sablon, this charming little garden is ringed by 48 bronze statuettes representing the medieval guilds. Standing huddled on a fountain plinth like two actors from a Shakespearean drama are Counts Egmont and Hoorn, popular city leaders who were
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Panorama
Included in admission to the Memorial 1815 visitor centre is the charmingly old-fashioned 1912 Panorama de la Bataille, a circular action-packed painting of the battle scenes. You view it from inside, across a 3D foreground littered with fallen helmets, broken-down fences, dead hor
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Abbaye de Neumünster
Dominating the Grund riverbank, this large complex is a renovated abbey turned cultural centre. Around the cloister is a permanent display of sculpture by local Lucien Wercollier, imprisoned by the Nazis in this very building. Several other exhibition spaces surround a central atri
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Signal de Botrange
This, 5km north of Ovifat, is Belgium’s highest point. But at 694m thats not saying much. Indeed the domed plateau landscape looks almost flat and the only eye-catching feature here is a 1954 stone tower with all the charm of a fire-station lookout. To climb it, find the door withi
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Malmundarium
In the covered cloisters of the twin-towered 1784 cathedral, this cultural centre-cum-museum hosts temporary exhibitions to pad out a city history display, carnival room and a quietly movingly, interactive examination of the former local tanning and paper-making industries. Though
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Scherpenheuvel Basilica
By 1609 a stream of pilgrims had funded this unique seven-sided baroque basilica whose domed exterior is distinctively dotted with gilded stars. Countless pilgrims still come to Scherpenheuvel from all over Belgium, particularly in May and on summer weekends, to pray for healing mi
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Walraversijde
Once a vibrant fishing village, Walraversijde disappeared entirely following the strife of 1600 to 1604, leaving mere foundations. Today the archaeological site is enhanced by four convincingly rebuilt and furnished thatched houses while an audio guide tells the village’s history t
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Technopolis
Designed for kids and teenagers but fascinating for those of all ages, one of Belgium’s best science museums has dozens of hands-on activities to entertain and engage. The simulator rides are especially popular. Its 1.8km south of town at junction 10 (Mechelen-Zuid) of the E19 moto
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MIM
Strap on a pair of headphones, then step on the automated floor panels in front of the precious instruments (including world instruments and Adolphe Sax’s inventions) to hear them being played. As much of a highlight as the museum itself are the premises – the art-nouveau Old Engla
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Corroy
With its complete seven-towered curtain wall, this impressive private 13th-century castle is one of the best preserved in Belgium. Before its sale in 2008, the owners website documented their final month in residence in a maudlin video diary. Reportedly the castle was purchased by
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Archeosite
Archéosite is a recreated ‘settlement’ of ancient dwellings and workshops representing Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Gallo-Roman eras. Its an interesting visit, with a very informative (French text) archaeological museum and an effort to present Roman buildings as they actual
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Bastogne Barracks
These active barracks were once HQ of General MacAuliffes 101st Airborne. To look inside, sign up here to join one of the enthusiastic and excellent free guided visits, which peruse the reconstruction centre for WWII vehicles and the Nuts room explaining key parts of the Battle of
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