Brussels - Belgium's Quintessential Capital City

Brussels, Belgium is the capital city and the administrative center of the European Union (EU). This very diverse city has a large immigrant population. It's located in the valley of the Senne River and is historic yet hip. It's known for its chocolate, waffles, mussels and moules-frites - with mayonaisse, not ketchup.  And it was a great locale to base ourselves and do day trips from for our 3 day stay in Belgium. Come along as we explore Brussels!

Brussels is the capital of the Kingdom of Belgium (that's its official name) with 3 official languages spoken - French, Dutch and German with French being the predominant one. It's not only known for its gastronomic offerings but also its historical and architectural landmarks including UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Le Grand Place

Le Grand Place, the historical center of Brussels and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the most famous and most photographed site in Brussels. It is, quite simply, the citys heart. This cobbled square is part of the most beautiful 17th century architecture in Belgium. At various times these buildings were the Town Hall, the Kings House and where the writer Victor Hugo lived. Today there is still a Town Hall but now the buildings house a museum, several bars and chocolate shops. (When we arrived there was a beer fest being held here)

We visited here at various times during our stay - at night so we could see it lit up, to visit one of the above mentioned chocolate shops and even passing through during the day. It is beautiful and impressive all at once. I highly recommend a visit here if you are in Brussels - it is quite the sight to see.

 And if you happen to be here on the year of the Flower Carpet, then good for you. Every other summer, on the weekend of August 15, and since 1971 volunteers plant 1 million begonias in less than 4 hours. During the day you can buy tickets to see the view from the Town Hall balcony or just see the flowers from the ground. And at night, there is a sound and light show. 

Source: fullsuitcase.com

Source: The Brussels Times

Belgian Chocolate

Belgian Chocolate is made from pure cocoa butter, has higher cocoa content than most other chocolate and is ground very, very fine. So when in Belgium, and Brussels, one must taste some chocolate. 

There are many guided tours to visit chocolate shops in Brussels. I had found a self guided walking tour on the Earth Trekkers blog, however, that they had completed themselves and given instructions for. But since we were spending only evenings in Brussels we didn't have the time to do an entire afternoon walking tour. (We did go to a chocolate shop in Bruges for a tasting as part of our walking tour there. You can read about it here.)

We did visit Le Grand Place many times and there was one of the most famous cholatiers located there.  The shop of Chocolaterie Mary was founded by Mary Dellue in 1919 originally as a chocolate factory which then segued into a tea room. On a street that the King traveled every day. Smart chocolatier that she was, Mary kept track of everyone's favorite chocolates in a book. She became known not only for her chocolate but also her window presentations and her packaging. She eventually opened more stores and earned the official title of "Patented Supplier to the Court of Belgium."

We also visited Neuhaus. Another long standing chocolatier, opening in 1857, Neuhaus started with a Swiss immigrant becoming a pharmacist (he wanted to be a doctor but couldn't stand the sight of blood) In order to make the medicine that he dispensed more palatable, he covered it in chocolate. His grandson took it a step further in 1912 by inventing the first Belgian praline - instead of medicine in the middle of the chocolate, he covered it in "delight". 

Neuhaus now has chocolate stores located all over the world including the US, the Middle East and even one in the Beijing airport. And the one we visited in Le Grand Place. If you haven't made it to Brussels, you can order online with free shipping to anywhere in the world with a $100 order - as long as your temperatures are under 75 degrees!

Mussels in Brussels

Moules frites is popular to eat in Belgium. A bowl of mussels with french fries (actually invented in Belgium) on the side. They are a Belgian staple. Cheap and plentiful, they were originally considered food for the poor. Now mussels have migrated to fancier places like cafes and bistros.

 Chez Leon is a family owned restaurant located in the Royal Gallery of St. Hubert that has been in business since 1893. Growing slowly, it exploded when the Worlds Fair came to Brussels in 1958 when Brussels became the undisputed capital of Moules frites. Now there is a kingdom of Chez Leon, still run by the same family, with over 85 restaurants in France and Belgium.

It came highly recommended by friends so we set off to the restaurant with mouths watering. It did not disappoint. We were seated on the second floor with a window view and served by our very professional, yet jovial, waiter. Mussels were ordered (and spaghetti by a non mussel lover) and it was deemed most delicious. I would definitely return to Chez Leon and highly recommend "Mussels in Brussels" to anyone who travels here.

Mannekin Pis

Mannekin Pis is a small statue of a boy urinating into a fountain. It's one of the most popular thing to see in Brussels and in Belgium. It has inspired several imitations and similar statues both here and abroad. It's regularly dressed up and its wardrobe consists of about 1000 outfits. Since 1965, this statue has been a replica, due to vandalism or theft, and the original - from 1619 - is displayed in the Brussels City Museum. All this to say that Mannekin Pis is an example of the sense of humor of Belgians, and particularly the people of Brussels. (the statue is 5 minutes walk from the Grand Place. Just look for the crowd of people around a fountain.)

Jeanneke Pis

Mannekin Pis is not the only peeing statue in Brussels. ( I know, right?) Since 1987, Mannekin has had a "sister" statue, Jeanneke Pis or Little Pissing Joan, also located in Brussels. Jeanneke is located at the dead end of an alley off of restaurant row - I was very confused as to where we were going when we went to see her because she is very tucked away. Also diminutive in size, Jeanneke is peeing behind iron bars to prevent vandalism. Much less well known than Mannekin, Jeanneke also feeds a fountain. (And is much harder to find)

How about you? Have you enjoyed Brussels?

Linking up with: My Corner of the World at Photographing New Zealand!