7 days to discover Belgium's rich heritage

We begin our stay in Belgium with a short visit to its capital, Brussels. Our tour begins in the city centre, with its majestic Grand-Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounded by historic buildings such as the Town Hall and the King's House. Don't miss the Manneken Pis, a statuette of a little boy peeing in a fountain, the city's emblem. We then head back up to the royal district via the Mont des Arts. Here you will discover the Royal Palace and the Royal Park. But the Royal Quarter is also the perfect place to visit the magnificent Fine Arts museums and the Magritte museum!

Brussels may be a small capital, but it's still well worth a two-day visit. This second day begins with a visit to the Marolles district, the most popular part of the city. Every morning until 2pm, the flea market is held on the Place du Jeu de Balles. It's the place to be if you're looking for treasure hidden among the antique dealers.

We then strolled through this district where artists, second-hand goods dealers and second-hand shops mingle. Then it's off to the Atomium, built for the 1958 Universal Exhibition. As well as the various exhibitions it houses, it's the experience that really counts. We start the visit with an express lift ride up to the highest ball of the building, offering a superb view!

Set course for Bruges, often referred to as the Venice of the North. This charming city is a maze of cobbled streets where you can stroll and admire the city's medieval architecture. Don't miss the Belfry, which towers 86 metres above the Grand-Place.

After a beautiful stroll through the city, we'll rest our feet on the canals during a mini-cruise aboard the small boats that criss-cross the city. And don't miss the Bruges beguinage, a vestige of secular religious communities. The one in Bruges is one of the most beautiful!

Just a stone's throw from Bruges, take to the road and land in Knokke, a Belgian seaside town. A popular holiday destination in Belgium, Knokke is a charming town where you can spend a few hours away from the crowds of the big cities. Out of season, enjoy a long stroll on the beach.

At low tide, the breakers come into view and the children can go crab hunting. We then head back to the breakwater to find a small restaurant where we can warm up and enjoy the national dish, fried mussels! At the end of the day, it's a good idea to hire a cuistax to enjoy the sunset along the seafront. Ostend is also a great place to escape to for a day by the sea.

We return to the heart of the country, heading for Antwerp, a city in perpetual turmoil. The city of the Flemish artist Rubens, he is present everywhere in the city, so don't miss the museum dedicated to him, founded in his own house in the heart of the city. And don't miss Notre Dame Cathedral and the Art Nouveau architecture that abounds throughout the city.

But above all, Antwerp is a city of artists. Painters, sculptors and other fashion designers have created their works in the port city of Antwerp. So art lovers and shopping enthusiasts alike are sure to be seduced!

Head for the Meuse and the Walloon region, and discover the city of Liège! The old town is packed with points of interest dating back to medieval times, including the Romanesque collegiate church of Saint-Barthélemy. We then set off to discover the Montagne de Bueren, climbing the 350 steps to reach the most beautiful viewpoint over Liège.

From a contemporary perspective, Guillemins station is known for its architecture by Santiago Calatrava. It impresses travellers with its steel glass vault covering the tracks. The city is also famous for its Batte market, which takes place every Sunday morning!

Then on to Namur, a fortified city on the banks of the Meuse. The day begins with a stroll through the streets of the old town, home to some magnificent Art Deco and Art Nouveau buildings. But the city's main attraction is its citadel. You can tour it by mini-train, on foot or by cable car! You can also opt for a guided tour of the citadel's underground passages.

In the afternoon, off to Dinant, just 30 minutes from Namur. A veritable jewel of Belgium, the town lies between a cliff and the river Meuse. The town is dominated by the collegiate church of Notre Dame. It's probably one of the best-known places in Wallonia, because Dinant is such a pretty, picture-postcard town.