Cinquantenaire, Brussels

Leopold II had big ideas for celebrating his Kingdom’s jubilee: a triumphal arch, a park, an exhibition centre and a wide avenue. This ambitious project was opened 25 years later and helped to create a residental district favoured by the wealthy bourgeoisie, who settled here in magnificent private mansions. A century later they’re now occupied by the Eurocrats who followed the bulldozers into the area. But while the shops here tend to be upmarket, its worthwhile making the effort to come and visit the museums in their leafy setting.

Royal Museums of Art and History
You’ll have to pick and choose from the vast collections in Belgium’s largest museum, as it contains objects from all ariund the world. Don’t miss the hreat colonnade from Apameus, the maoi from easter island, a magnificent Tupinamba cape of quetzal feathers, the god Chimu who Herge used in The Broken Ear and the Horta room.
Opening hours: Tue- Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat, Sun and holidays 10am-5pm
Tel: 741 7211

Maison Chauchie
This old house come studio of the painter Paul Chauchie, painstakingly renovated by the De Cissys, illustrates another side of Art Nouveau. Despite its Japanese style sgraffiti, the pure lines of the façade are close to Austrian secessionism and Mackintosh in design. In the drawing room you can see more sgraffiti and original furniture.
Openinh hours: Tours the 1st weekend of the month 11am-6pm
Tel: 673 1506

Aux Delices de Capoue
People come from far and wide to buy their homemade ice-cream here. Of the 40 flavours available, make sure you try speculoos and marzipan ice-cream, or a mandarin and gooseberry sorbet. You can eat in or take away.
Opening houre: every day, noon –10pm
Tel: 733 3833

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