Brussels: the children's paradise

Upon disembarking from the Thalys at Brussels-Midi station, you might be swept up by a gust of wind. However, Belgian humor will rejuvenate you and you will realize how everything here is so thoughtfully arranged for children. From murals by cartoonists to chocolate fountains and immersive museums. I have put together a tailor-made itinerary as I lived there with my dear little blond heads who still fondly remember Saint Nicholas… 

It's within a manor in the town of Etterbeek that this unusual and enchanting place has been set up. I don't need to tell you that your children will burst with joy as they discover the spaces one by one. They will start their visit at the supermarket where they will, with a shopping cart in hand, do their shopping and even check out at the cashier! Then, they will head to a theater where they will deliver lines. Or they might sneak into the belly of a submarine, or even don the chef's hat to cook for real.

It is within a manor in the town of Etterbeek that this unusual and intoxicating place was established.

After that, why not have lunch on the go? Let's enjoy a waffle at Maison Dandoy in the Galerie du Roy! What a splendid sight this passage topped with a zenithal glass roof and its checkerboard floor is! The elegant used to favor these places sheltered from the weather; primarily because carriages did not come and stain the bottom of their dresses! Speaking of which, do you know the difference between a Brussels waffle and a Liège waffle? The batter of the latter being based on pearl sugar, its texture is denser and less airy.

Designed for the 1958 Universal Exhibition, the silver spheres that stand out in the Laeken sky were destined for demolition like the Iron Lady... At the time, the Atomium was a technological feat with the world's fastest elevator! It still holds a record today: the longest escalators connecting the spheres! In 2006, the sculpture was renovated and visitors flock to temporary exhibitions. Imagine that children can even... sleep on site!

On the Grand Place, here is a place not to be missed under any circumstances! After rediscovering the origin of the famous beverage - very popular under Marie de Medici, you will witness all the stages of chocolate making from the cocoa bean. The guided tour is perfectly organized, yet very informative. Indeed, you can taste, but do not rush, the cocoa is bitter before its transformation! However, you will be surprised by the composition of white chocolate...

The Grand Place offers a magical setting at night, a chance to enjoy a hot chocolate in one of the plush cafes that line it. Note that the Grand Place or Grote Markt was the scene of historical upheaval. Protestant martyrs were executed here, and it was from here that the uprising led by William of Orange against the Spanish crown began. Just a short distance away, you will find the Manneken Pis, who is said to have extinguished a bomb by urinating on it, preventing the destruction of Brussels! Perhaps he will be wearing an outfit given by a foreign statesman.

If we immersed ourselves in a comic book at the Belgian Comic Strip Center. In a splendid Art Nouveau building designed by Horta, meet the heroes of the ninth art! You will see Tintin's rocket, which has become one of the contemporary symbols of Belgium. Hergé was keen on sciences and the hyperrealistic drawing even became the emblem of comics. Did you know? The cartoonist did not travel; he gathered his information from a library ! Moreover, he drew inspiration for his characters from his surroundings, such as the Castafiore, in fact his Aunt Ninie, a musician in her spare time. What a wonderful comic library with its … 7000 albums translated into 40 languages.

The Toy Museum where you can handle the objects! Honestly, it has remained in the hearts of my children but also in mine as it was a journey back in time. Your little ones will not want to leave! It must be admitted that there is plenty to have fun: pedal cars, Teddy Bears, active train sets, spinning tops, dollhouses, and even a reconstructed classroom! The welcome is very warm and the demonstration around the little automatons that the owner offers, very amusing!

Stardust Park.

Stardust Park in the center of Brussels, a 4000 m2 indoor playground. I introduce you to a place where toddlers just need to take their shoes off and go on an adventure. They navigate through gigantic labyrinths, race in their little cars, zoom around in bumper cars, and hop on the Far West train... Plan to spend several hours there because they will be overwhelmed with things to do! Indeed, some choose this venue to celebrate their birthdays.

This is not a museum! Here is Magritte, the Belgian surrealist artist who speaks to children. Located at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in the heart of Brussels, the Magritte Museum rotates its collection which comes from loans from private collectors! Spread over several floors, it is both chronological and thematic! In total, 230 works are exhibited, including paintings like the lone tree in whose trunk a house is hidden. Your children will follow the comments of an audio guide specially designed for them!

Here is Magritte, the Belgian surrealist artist who speaks to children.

PS: to blend in, the "x" in Brussels is pronounced like an "s" and 70 is septante, 90 nonante! So, is 80 octante? Not at all, that’s Swiss!