Musée de la Banque nationale de Belgique

About the museum

The museum occupies a former bank headquarters in central Brussels, designed in 1872 by architect Désiré De Keyser for the Union du Crédit de Bruxelles, a cooperative bank founded by entrepreneurs after the banking crisis of 1848. In 1969 the building passed to a Californian bank, and then to the National Bank of Belgium in the 1980s. The banking halls under glass roofs, the entrance corridor and the staircase have been listed since 1984; a meticulous restoration was completed in 2009, and the museum opened in the building in 2010.

The collections, assembled from 1950 onwards with a view to a museum, cover the economic and financial history of Belgium: more than 25,000 banknotes, coins spanning more than 2,500 years, emergency money, commodity money, medals, iconographic documents, rare books, and machines and objects connected with money.

The visit is made with a free audioguide and follows three routes: the evolution of means of payment, the role and missions of the National Bank, and then a “dépôt” (depot) devoted to the relationship between humanity and money. The cellars, with two restored strongrooms, are accessible only during events.

Highlights

• Former bank headquarters of 1872 with glass roofs and a monumental staircase
• Money changer's table and commodity money from around the world
• More than 25,000 banknotes and coins from 2,500 years of monetary history
• Banknote designs drawn by artists, including Xavier Mellery
• Free audioguide and interactive games on the role of a central bank

Permanent exhibitions

• Histoires d'argent – Historical route through the evolution of means of payment, from Mesopotamian clay tablets to the euro, with the money changer's table and oral testimonies.
• Rôle et fonctions de la Banque nationale de Belgique – Videos, multimedia installations and games on the missions of a central bank: price stability, banknote issue, prudential supervision.
• Le dépôt : l'argent dans tous ses états – Gallery of objects, documents and works of art on the links between humanity and money, with banknote designs drawn by artists.

Founded

1982

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free. Guided tours are free but must be booked. Holders of a museum pass receive a small surprise at reception.

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 entrance has a few steps, which can be bypassed by a private access on request. A large-capacity lift serves both floors. The audioguide headsets are compatible with hearing aids. Adapted guided tours (autism, visual impairment, hearing impairment) are possible on request at the time of booking. Quieter times: avoid 10:30-12:00 and 13:30-15:00 during term time.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Free activity booklet “Enquête au musée de la Banque nationale” for ages 7 to 12 (about 1 hour 30 minutes, in French, Dutch and English) during term time; playful bags from Marmaille&Co on request at reception; treasure hunt during the summer holidays (and some other holidays); and two visit booklets for teenagers. The whole museum is accessible with pushchairs; there is a changing table in the toilets, and benches line the route.

Getting there & parking

The museum is near Saints Michael and Gudula Cathedral, the Grand-Place and Brussels-Central station.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is available in the building. The museum has no café and no space for picnics. Cloakroom for individual visitors and groups.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit