Belle Epoque Centrum
Interactive experience house in three Belle Époque villas in Blankenberge, about the seaside resort around 1900, with posters, fashion, photos and film.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Belle Epoque Centrum is housed in three Belle Époque villas from 1894, right next to the Sint-Rochuskerk in the centre of Blankenberge. The villas have been restored and together form one interactive experience house. The centre has existed since 2008; in November 2018 it celebrated its tenth anniversary with, among other things, historical fashion shows and rides in vintage cars.
The Belle Époque had its heyday between 1870 and 1914, when the European middle classes enjoyed great prosperity. Blankenberge grew into an important seaside resort during this period, with major landmarks such as the casino, the pier, coastal villas and large hotels for the emerging tourism.
The exhibition tells the story of Blankenberge around 1900 through posters, postcards, fashion, photos and film material, supplemented by a few tiled panels. The centre is also a place for research: it manages an archive, a knowledge centre, a picture bank and the coastal heritage. Every year there is a temporary exhibition under the title Belle Epoque Schatten. For children there are the mascots Belle and Hendrik and a fun pack with games.
Highlights
- Interactive exhibition on Blankenberge in the Belle Époque (1870–1914)
- Three restored Belle Époque villas from 1894
- Posters, postcards, fashion, photos and film material
- Tiled panels from the Belle Époque
- Fun pack and treasure hunt with the mascots Belle and Hendrik
Permanent exhibition
- Belle Epoque Centrum – vaste tentoonstelling – Interactive exhibition on Blankenberge around 1900, with posters, postcards, fashion, photos, film material and tiled panels.
- Founded
- 2008
- Operated by
- Stad Blankenberge
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Young people under 26 and holders of the Kustpas (€3); seniors over 55 pay €4 |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 5 · Children under 6 enter free when accompanied by a paying adult; young people under 26 pay €3. |
| Seniors | €4Seniors over 55. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €2People with disabilities and their companion pay €2 per person. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €2.50 per personGroups of 10 people or more; school groups pay €2 per person. |
| Guided tour of the centre (1 hour, max. 20 people) | €50Price per guide, excluding the admission price. |
| Guided tour plus Belle Époque walk (2 hours, max. 20 people) | €75Price per guide, excluding the admission price. |
| Guided tour plus theme walk (3 hours, max. 20 people) | €100Price per guide, excluding the admission price. |
Free admission for residents of Blankenberge (with identity card), teachers with the Klasse teacher card, press with a press card, city guides appointed by the city, and holders of a museum pass. Tickets can be bought online (paid by Bancontact) or at the desk; they cannot be exchanged, cancelled or refunded. Bring proof of the discount.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The centre is fully accessible by wheelchair and the exhibition is set up at wheelchair height. All floors can be reached by lift (room for a maximum of one wheelchair per trip). There are adapted toilets. Dogs are not admitted, except assistance dogs. A visual step-by-step guide helps with preparing the visit.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
The museum was officially approved by and for children in 2026. With the mascots Belle and Hendrik there is the free fun pack Op stap met Hendrik (Out and about with Hendrik), a game trail across the floors, which can be requested at the desk. Outside the museum there is the free walking treasure hunt Op stap met Belle (Out and about with Belle). Thanks to the lift, all floors are easy to reach with a pushchair.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Blankenberge station · 5-min walk
The centre is a 5-minute walk from Blankenberge railway station and from the Blankenberge station tram stop (De Lijn coastal tram).
By car
Parking available
Parking is possible in the area around the Sint-Rochuskerk and next to the railway station. Coaches can briefly drop off and pick up groups at the corner of J. De Troozlaan and Malecotstraat; for longer parking they can use the Groenestraat.
The centre is located at Elisabethstraat 24, right next to the Sint-Rochuskerk in the centre of Blankenberge.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Coat check
- Lockers
In the basement there is a free cloakroom and lockable lockers; the toilets are also free.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The exhibition and the visitor guide are available in Dutch, French, English and German; guided tours are possible in those languages. Group visits are possible with a maximum of 20 people per guide and are booked through the centre. |
