Musée Charlier

About the museum

The museum occupies the former residence of Brussels art patron and collector Henri Van Cutsem, on the avenue des Arts in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode. In 1890 he commissioned the young architect Victor Horta to fit out the interior of this mansion to display his collections. Van Cutsem supported the sculptor Guillaume Charlier, a lifelong friend whom he hosted at home and named as his legatee.

When Van Cutsem died in 1904, Charlier inherited the building and continued the collection by acquiring works by his Belgian contemporaries. In 1925 he bequeathed the house and its collections to the municipality of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, on condition that it become a public museum. It opened on 21 October 1928.

The reception rooms display late-19th-century Belgian paintings, from Wiertz to Ensor, via Boulenger, Laermans, Vogels and Van Strydonck, as well as sculptures, furniture in the Louis XV, Louis XVI and Empire styles, tapestries from Brussels, Oudenaarde and Aubusson, porcelain and silverware. The museum also holds concerts in the afternoon.

Highlights

• Townhouse fitted out by Victor Horta in 1890
• Late-19th-century Belgian painting: Ensor, Vogels, Laermans, Van Strydonck
• Period reception rooms with furniture, including Empire pieces and a Chinese dining room
• Tapestries from Brussels, Oudenaarde and Aubusson
• Sculptures by Guillaume Charlier and his contemporaries
• Concerts in the reception rooms

Permanent exhibition

• Collection permanente de l'hôtel Van Cutsem-Charlier – Furnished period rooms and bedrooms with Belgian paintings and sculptures from the late 19th century, tapestries, porcelain, silverware and clocks.

Founded

1928

Operated by

Commune de Saint-Josse-ten-Noode

Admission & discounts

Free admission for teachers, press, ICOM members and holders of the Museumpass or Brussels Card. Guided tour with a museum guide (1 hour 15 minutes): €100 per guide plus admission for each participant; passes and discounts do not apply to guided tours. Educational activities for children under 12: €75 for 20 participants (at least 4 supervisors).

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum offers educational activities for children under 12, by reservation.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at avenue des Arts 16, in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Hire of the museum rooms: 09:00–12:00, Monday to Thursday: €300; 18:00–22:00, Monday to Thursday: €600; 13:00–17:00, Friday: €400; 18:00–22:00, Friday, Saturday and Sunday: €1,000; an extra €150 for each additional hour. Photo shoots and reportage: €200 per hour.

Plan your visit