Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles

About the museum

From 1860 onwards, the City of Brussels began gathering evidence of its past and having artists record neighbourhoods that were due for demolition. Mayor Charles Buls and archivist Alphonse Wauters pursued the plan for a first municipal museum, which opened in 1887 on the top floor of the King's House. It was meant to welcome foreign visitors and to make the city's history easier to understand for its inhabitants.

The King's House, in Dutch Broodhuis, takes its name from the medieval bread hall that stood there, and later from Charles V, who had an administrative building constructed there opposite the town hall. The present neo-Gothic building was constructed between 1873 and 1894 to designs by Victor Jamaer, city architect. Since 1935 the museum has occupied the entire building, from the ground floor to the second floor.

The collections have grown through donations, archaeological excavations and acquisitions that illustrate the social, economic and urban development of Brussels. Masterpieces include the Cortège de Noces, the 1695 bombardment, the weathervane of the town hall, the Fontaine des Trois Grâces and the Manneken-Pis. In 2027 the roof and façades of the King's House will be restored; the museum will then close completely for two months, before reopening with an adapted route on the ground floor and first floor.

Highlights

• Neo-Gothic King's House on the Grand-Place
• The Manneken-Pis and its place in the history of the city
• The 1695 bombardment
• The Cortège de Noces and the Coudenberg Ducal Palace
• Saint Michael weathervane from the town hall

Permanent exhibition

• Chefs-d'œuvre et parcours permanent – Collections on the history of Brussels, from the Manneken-Pis to the 1695 bombardment, and from the Cortège de Noces to the Coudenberg Ducal Palace.

Founded

1887

Operated by

Ville de Bruxelles

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The first Sunday of the month

The ticket also gives access to the GardeRobe MannekenPis (rue du Chêne 19). Free for City of Brussels staff, the press, professional guides, holders of the museumPASSmusées, the Brussels Card, and members of ICOM and ICOMOS (official card). Teachers: free entry on request to prepare a visit with their class.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The building is listed: there is no lift (a project is under study), floors are reachable by stairs only, and there are no toilets for people with reduced mobility; the museum is not wheelchair-accessible. Induction loop at reception; audio-visual guide to download to your smartphone. Tours in sign language (LSFB and IS), an inclusive route for people with intellectual disabilities, and a sensory tour of the Manneken-Pis with the Ligue Braille. An Access-i accessibility sheet is available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Free trail games: “Des animaux au musée” for toddlers (about 30 minutes), and activity booklets for 5 to 9 year olds and 9 to 14 year olds (about 1 hour), to download or ask for at the museum. Pushchairs are not admitted in the galleries but can be left at reception if space allows; the museum has no baby-changing facilities.

Getting there & parking

Gare Centrale and De Brouckère are about 5 minutes' walk away. Public transport remains the most convenient option.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi. There is no restaurant in the museum: restaurants and snack bars are on the Grand-Place and nearby. Postcards, publications and souvenirs are for sale at reception. Small cloakroom and lockers; suitcases and travel bags are not admitted (left luggage at Gare Centrale); umbrellas stay at the entrance.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit