Brussels, capital of Art Nouveau and comic strips

Art Nouveau, a unique architectural heritage

Brussels has the highest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in the world. At the end of the 19th century, architect Victor Horta revolutionised architecture by creating houses with flowing lines, spectacular glass roofs and elegant ironwork. Four of his major works are UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Hotel Tassel, Hotel Solvay, Hotel van Eetvelde and the Horta House, now converted into a museum. The districts of Saint-Gilles and Ixelles are packed with remarkable facades that can be admired on guided walks or by following the routes signposted by the tourist office.

The Belgian Comic Strip Center

Housed in a former textile warehouse designed by Victor Horta himself, the Belgian Comic Strip Center is an unmissable attraction. This one-of-a-kind museum presents the history of the ninth art through original artwork by Belgium's greatest cartoonists: Hergé and his Tintin, Franquin and Gaston Lagaffe, Peyo and the Smurfs, Morris and Lucky Luke. The permanent exhibitions trace the evolution of comics from their origins to the present day, while temporary exhibitions spotlight contemporary talent. The museum bookshop is a must-visit for collectors.

Wall murals, an open-air museum

Since 1991, Brussels has been transforming its walls into art galleries through the «Comic Strip Route», an itinerary of over 60 giant wall murals scattered throughout the city. Each mural features an iconic comic book character in a striking trompe-l'oeil style. From Tintin on Rue de l'Etuve to the Marsupilami on Rue du Bon Secours, these monumental works surprise walkers at every turn. The tourist office provides free maps to follow the complete route, an entertaining and original way to discover the neighbourhoods of Brussels.

Kanal-Centre Pompidou and the contemporary cultural scene

The Brussels cultural scene is thriving. The eagerly awaited Kanal-Centre Pompidou, housed in a former 1930s Citroën garage on the canal bank, will permanently open its doors in November 2026. This new contemporary art museum, created in partnership with the Centre Pompidou in Paris, will feature vast exhibition spaces, a rooftop panoramic restaurant and an archive centre dedicated to the history of architecture. Brussels thus reaffirms its status as an ever-evolving European cultural capital.