Brussels: Ma belle, in the heart of Europe

In a nutshell

Brussels is an astonishing capital that overturns preconceived ideas, and all the better for it. French-speaking as well as Flemish (although English is the most spoken language here...), European and neighbouring, Belgium's largest city manages to appeal to all types of traveller. Younger people enjoy a friendly nightlife that other cities sometimes lack. Older people go shopping and visit the antique markets. Shopping addicts have long been familiar with the big names in Belgian fashion, looking for something new and unusual. Gourmets head here at weekends to indulge in pralines, sugar waffles and spice biscuits. Art and history lovers will linger on the Grand-Place, despite the crowds, to admire this pedestrianised quadrilateral, which resonates with the crowds (this is how we discover that cities were not silent before the invention of the car), whose lofty mansions, lit up like monuments at dusk, illustrate the crossroads of trade that Brussels has always been.

Transport

The train journey between the Belgian and British capitals takes about 2 hours. A Thalys/Eurostar ticket to Brussels is valid for all arrival stations: Midi (where the Thalys trains terminate), Gare Centrale (300 m from the Grand-Place), Gare du Nord (between the Botanical Gardens and the Manhattan business district) and Gare du Luxembourg (opposite the European Parliament). To get to any of these stations, keep your Thalys ticket and take one of the trains (separate from the metro) serving them from Brussels Midi (departures every 15 minutes or so). Zaventem airport is the largest in the country and is very close to Brussels. If you're arriving via Charleroi, it's a 1-hour bus journey to the capital. The city is extremely well served by public transport. The Brussels STIB network works in conjunction with the Flemish Delijn network, which links the city centre with Zaventem airport.

Safety

Since UK is no longer part of the Schengen area, so you'll need to go through customs when departing the UK, so make sure you have a valid passport with you. The Belgian capital is fairly safe, but as in all big cities, be careful with your personal belongings - pickpockets are never far away! And, as always, use your common sense.

When should you go?

Belgium can be visited at any time of year. However, as everywhere else in Europe, spring is a beautiful and mild season. It's a great time to discover gardens and parks in bloom! Summer is also a great time to visit the city, although in recent years summers have become increasingly intense in Brussels, and it can often be very hot and stifling! Make the most of the winter to discover the city's magnificent Christmas market. For years now, the city has been organising "winter pleasures", a magical journey through the city centre, from the Grand-Place illuminated by a thousand lights and its sumptuous Christmas tree, to the Bourse and its chalets, all the way to the Place Sainte Catherine, its market and its Ferris wheel! The city puts on its winter coat and it's absolutely magnificent!

What to eat?

Belgium is not known for its gourmet cuisine, but it is homey, friendly and sometimes surprising! Don't miss out on the famous Belgian fries, exceptional chocolates and waffles! But don't forget to have lunch in a typical brasserie for a stoemp (carrot and potato purée with sausages), Flemish carbonade, rabbit in beer sauce, chicory au gratin, waterzoï, prawn croquettes or the famous moules frites!