Maison Autrique

About the museum

Maison Autrique is the first private house built by Victor Horta. It dates from 1893: Horta, then 32 years old, designed it for his friend Eugène Autrique, an engineer at the École polytechnique de Bruxelles, on the chaussée de Haecht. Ideas that would define Art Nouveau are already visible in it: the link with the pavement, the variety of wall coverings and the use of metal and industrial materials. The Autrique family lived there until 1907.

Over the course of the 20th century the house underwent many changes to its decorative elements, rooms and fittings. In the 1990s the comic-book authors François Schuiten and Benoît Peeters, learning that it was for sale, took action. A very well documented restoration, led by the architect Francis Metzger, sought to recover the original appearance, with paint-layer analysis and reconstruction of materials.

Open to the public, the house offers exhibition spaces, a small thematic bookshop and an original scenography by Schuiten and Peeters, who transformed it into an “imaginary house”. It also hosts temporary exhibitions and events.

Highlights

• Victor Horta’s first private house, from 1893
• Exemplary restoration recovering the original appearance
• Scenography by François Schuiten and Benoît Peeters
• Activity booklet and family kit for children
• Thematic bookshop

Permanent exhibition

• La Maison Autrique de Victor Horta – Visit to the house restored from 1893, with its scenography, exhibition spaces and small thematic bookshop.

Admission & discounts

The free visit gives access to the house and the current temporary exhibition. €3 rate also for residents of Schaerbeek and holders of the BIM card. Free for children under 6 and for holders of a museum pass, the Brussels Card, the Art Nouveau Pass or an ICOM card. Visit with your own guide: a €10 speaking fee on top of the admission charges.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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

Unfortunately the house is not accessible to people with reduced mobility; a virtual tour is offered on the website. The museum is a partner of the European Disability Card.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Activity booklet “La Maison de Fernand” for children from 6 years (downloadable, or sold for €3 at reception) and the family kit “Le Jardin d’Eugène”, free for 7- to 12-year-olds, available at reception. Pushchairs cannot enter; a baby carrier is preferable.

Getting there & parking

Villo! station no. 147 at chaussée de Haecht 226.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Small thematic bookshop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 70 guests.

Hire is possible outside opening hours: the first floor (60 seated, 70 standing), the library lounge (20 people), a period kitchen in the basement and the garden; the basement toilets are not accessible to wheelchair users.

Plan your visit