Villa Empain – Fondation Boghossian

About the museum

Villa Empain was built in the early 1930s for Baron Louis Empain. He had bought the plot in December 1929, along the avenue des Nations, since renamed avenue Franklin Roosevelt, and entrusted the project to the Swiss architect Michel Polak. The building is today one of the most remarkable examples of Art Deco architecture in Brussels.

The house has had many lives. Louis Empain offered it to the Belgian State in 1937 to house a museum of contemporary decorative arts, run by the La Cambre school. During the Second World War it was used by the military cartographic institute, and then requisitioned by the German army. From 1947 to 1963 it was occupied by the Soviet embassy; it then became a cultural centre, before housing the Belgian headquarters of the RTL broadcaster from 1981 to 1993. Left abandoned, partly destroyed and vandalised, it was listed in 2007.

In 2006 Albert and Jean Boghossian bought it to house their family foundation. After four years of restoration, which was rewarded with the Europa Nostra prize in 2011, the villa opened to the public in 2010 as an art centre for dialogue between East and West. Today it hosts exhibitions, an artist residency, art prizes and concerts; visits allow you to discover the salons, the swimming pool and the garden.

Highlights

• Art Deco villa designed by the architect Michel Polak
• State salons with precious marbles, ironwork and exotic woods
• Swimming pool with a water mirror in front of the rear façade, with a pergola decorated with mosaics
• Garden dotted with contemporary sculptures
• Bar du Baron in Louis Empain’s former private salon

Permanent exhibition

• La Villa Empain – Visit to the Art Deco villa designed by Michel Polak, its salons, swimming pool and gardens, in addition to the Foundation’s exhibitions.

Founded

2010

Operated by

Fondation Boghossian

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the museumPASS, the Art Nouveau Pass, ICOM card and press card, for members of the Cercle de la Villa and on the visitor’s birthday (ID required). Payment by debit or credit card only; tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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 villa is accessible to people with reduced mobility: step-free access through the rear entrance (avenue Victoria), a lift serving the three exhibition levels, and a wheelchair available on request. Visitors are asked to inform reception of their arrival (+32 2 627 52 30, info@boghossianfoundation.be). Dogs are not admitted, except guide dogs for blind people.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Participatory visits for children and classes (the Roaring Twenties, Art Deco architecture, contemporary art). The museumPASS gave the Foundation its special mention for museums suited to young visitors. Youth contact: kids@boghossianfoundation.be.

Getting there & parking

Step-free entrance for people with reduced mobility at the rear of the building, avenue Victoria.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The Bar du Baron, in the baron’s former private salon, houses the Refoodgees restaurant: Tuesday to Sunday 12:00–17:00 (kitchen 12:00–14:30), brunch at weekends without reservation. The shop at the entrance to the villa is open Tuesday to Sunday 11:00–18:00.

Events & venue rental

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

State salons, solarium, Secrétaire, Project Space, terraces and the swimming pool for receptions, seminars and weddings; filming and photo shoots only outside opening hours.

Plan your visit