Background
La Grand-Place is a remarkably homogeneous body of public and private buildings dating mainly from the late 17th century. UNESCO says its architecture vividly illustrates the social and cultural life of the period in this important political and commercial centre.
The square measures 68 by 110 metres, between the Flamboyant Town Hall and the neo-Gothic King's House. Begun in the 11th century, it was largely destroyed in the French bombardment of 1695; only the Town Hall's facade and tower survived, and the guildhalls were rebuilt in the years that followed. Every even August a flower carpet fills the square.
- 11th c.The market square begins to take shape
- 15th c.The Gothic Town Hall and its tower
- 1695French artillery destroys most of the square
- Late 1690sThe guildhalls are rebuilt in Baroque
- 1998Inscribed as World Heritage
Find Your Way Around
The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them
- 1Town HallThe Flamboyant Gothic hall whose tower was the artillery's target in 1695.
- 2King's HouseThe neo-Gothic Bread House, home of the Brussels City Museum.
- 3The GuildhallsThe gilded Baroque houses of the guilds around the square.
- 4Galeries Royales Saint-HubertThe glass-roofed arcades a few steps away.
- 5Manneken PisThe small statue in a side street, which Wikivoyage calls easily overlooked.
Know Before You Go
From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides
The Square and the Galleries
From the GoGo Brussels guide · Open the Brussels Guide ›
- 09:00Grand-Place1 hrThe gilded square.
- 10:15Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert45 minThe glass arcades.
- 11:15Manneken Pis30 minThe small statue.
- 20:00Grand-Place Lit Up45 minThe square at night.
- 21:00Moules-Frites Dinner90 minMussels and fries nearby.
Best Time to Visit
Best months: May–Sep.
Typical highs
Climate: NASA POWER
Pair It With
Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance
