KBR museum

About the museum

The KBR museum is housed in the Royal Library of Belgium (KBR), on the Mont des Arts, in and around the Nassau Chapel, the last remnant of the former Nassau court. It opened in September 2020 to present to the public a treasure long reserved for researchers: the Library of the Dukes of Burgundy.

In the 15th century Brussels belonged to the Dukes of Burgundy, among the richest rulers in Europe. As cultivated patrons they assembled an exceptional collection of manuscripts, the Librairie, which KBR preserves today. The museum shows a selection: illuminated manuscripts and miniatures, but also paintings, sculptures and jewellery from the Middle Ages that place these books in their time. Among the masterpieces are the Chroniques de Hainaut, commissioned by Philip the Good around 1450. The first level explains how a manuscript was made, from preparing the support to binding, via copying and illumination.

The museum also tells the story of the Franco-Flemish polyphonists of the 15th and 16th centuries. Sound installations immerse visitors in the music of the Burgundian court, and they can try singing in two or four voices themselves. The manuscripts, too fragile to remain on permanent display, are replaced twice a year. An interactive wristband lets visitors choose between an in-depth visit, a discovery visit and a playful route for children.

Highlights

• Library of the Dukes of Burgundy: illuminated manuscripts and miniatures from the 15th and 16th centuries
• Chroniques de Hainaut, commissioned by Philip the Good
• Musical experience on Franco-Flemish polyphony, with singing in two or four voices
• Interactive stations to create your own miniature or try your hand at being a scribe
• Three routes to choose from with an interactive wristband: in-depth, discovery or playful

Permanent exhibition

• La Librairie des ducs de Bourgogne – Permanent exhibition of illuminated manuscripts, miniatures, paintings, sculptures and medieval jewellery, complemented by a musical experience devoted to Franco-Flemish polyphony. The manuscripts on display are renewed twice a year.

Founded

2020

Operated by

KBR (Bibliothèque royale de Belgique)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Wednesday of the month from 13:00

Free admission also with the PROF card, the ICOM card, the museumPASSmusées, the Belspo card, the Brussels Card, a press card, and for Friends of the KBR museum. The museumPASSmusées costs €64.95 per year. During a heatwave (yellow code), the museum is free for jobseekers and recipients of the social integration income (revenu d'intégration), at the cash desk only. Free or reduced tickets booked online must be validated at reception on presentation of proof.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The building, the museum and its route are accessible to people with reduced mobility. As the Mont des Arts has many stairs, a step-free route to the entrance is shown on a downloadable map. A few parking spaces for people with disabilities are located at Boulevard de l'Empereur 4. Benches are placed throughout the museum, and a folding chair can be requested at the start of the visit. The museum is certified by Access-i.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

The playful route “Suis l'oiseau!” (Follow the bird!) is designed for children aged 6 to 12 (about an hour, in French, Dutch or English): quizzes, creative challenges, a stamp card and a temporary tattoo at the end. Children can try the work of a scribe and an illuminator and experiment with polyphony. Stools are available on the first and second floors. Free admission for under-18s.

Getting there & parking

Public entrance: Mont des Arts 28. With the SNCB code printed on an entrance ticket booked online, you can buy a Discovery Ticket and get 40% off the return trip to Bruxelles-Central.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers

The restaurant albert, on the 5th floor of KBR, is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 (access by panoramic lift). The shop can be visited without an entrance ticket. Lockers are located in the entrance hall of KBR. Eating and drinking are not allowed in the museum, but you may picnic in the inner garden. The museum has no toilets: they are on the ground floor of KBR.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

KBR Events rents several rooms of the library, including an auditorium seating up to 205, the Nassau Chapel, the apartments of the Charles de Lorraine palace and the restaurant albert; enquiries to events@kbr.be.

Plan your visit