One of the most interesting itineraries in Brussels on weekends , is to spend the day in the charming cobblestoned Place du Grand Sablon.
This pleasant architectural ensemble has houses from the 16th to the 19th century. Today it is essentially home to high-class antiques shops, typical restaurants and chocolate sellers. The square is a good meeting point for dinner or a weekend brunch, or for an atmospheric walk.
Every weekend the antiques market on the church side enlivens the square with its red and green awnings, pulling in crowds of curious onlookers. The Antique and book markets Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
My favorite spot is the auction house Pierre Berge & Associates where the most intriguing design furniture and 19th century objets d’art are auctioned on weekends as well. This weekend auction Design Contemporain had eccentric collector’s items I literally went mad for.
Check the information on and the auction result. Some of it was very affordable, next time,I will see you there! It’s a date?
Joelle’s Tips:
Sablon Antiques Center (39 Place du Grand-Sablon), Some 20 dealers display their wares in the 600-meter-space of the which sells everything from formica-top desks to ornate chandeliers.
Philippe Dengs (1 rue de Sablon) boasts objects of European art from 1900-2000,
Zinda Gallery at 15 Place du Grand-Sablon specialises in Oriental carpets and galleries.
Davidoff (1 place du Grand Sablon) is the place to go for pipes and tobacco.
Start your day with a pain au chocolat and a coffee at Le Pain Quotidien (11 rue des Sablons)
For lunch and dinner, there are numerous places, frequented by Brussels’ movers and shakers in what some say is a ‘poseurs’ paradise’.
Favourites are trendy Lola (33 place du Grand Sablon), which has lovely fish, pasta and innovative desserts and the always lively
l’Entrée des Artistes (42 place du Grand Sablon), a bustling brasserie whose walls are filled with framed photographs of international film stars.
The one-Michelin-starred Ecailler du Palais Royal (18 rue Bodenbroek) ise heaven for seafood lovers.
Claire Fontaine Epicerie Fine (3 rue Ernest Allard) sells home-made soup for takeout as well as hot prepared foods and all all sorts of interesting spices and other delicacies,
La Tarterie de Pierre (39 Place du Grand Sablon) sells hearty savory and sweet tarts for take-out.
To satisfy your sweet tooth, take your pick of Pierre Marcolini (recently installed in new ornate digs just off the square),
Godiva or Wittamerwhich also has a pleasant lunchtime café (6 place du Grand Sablon) with outdoor seating
The Source: Office of tourism Belgique and Expatica
