Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert, Brussels (must see)
The Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert are an excellent example of a 19th century covered shopping gallery. While the total of seven such galleries were built in Brussels between the 1820s and 30s, the St. Hubert Gallery is one of the three that have survived. Designed by architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaar, it was officially opened in 1847. The two primary sections of the gallery are called the King’s Gallery and the Queen’s Gallery, each measuring 8 meters (26 feet) wide and 213 meters (699 feet) long, and a smaller section therein is dubbed the Prince’s Gallery.
The concept of a shopping gallery originated in Paris in the 1780s when King Louis XIV, then financial restrained, rented portions of his garden to shopkeepers. The latter constructed little shops within the garden to sell their wares and thus attracted many people, making it a de facto meeting place. Later on, this concept of a shopping/gathering venue evolved into the covered galleries which were meant primarily for the richer classes.
The stately 19th-century Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert arcade houses luxury boutiques, clockmakers and chocolate shops. A particular standout among them is the Neuhaus confectionery shop opened in 1857. Also, within the corridors of St. Hubert Gallery today you will find a number of cafes and restaurants offering great dining experience.
Why You Should Visit:
A small gallery with grand architecture; lots of shops – high-end in appearance, but pretty well-priced.
Top quality chocolate is a bit costly but if you want to indulge, this place offers a good selection.
Tip:
Go to the top floor of "Le Pain Quotidien" for a view from the upper side.
The concept of a shopping gallery originated in Paris in the 1780s when King Louis XIV, then financial restrained, rented portions of his garden to shopkeepers. The latter constructed little shops within the garden to sell their wares and thus attracted many people, making it a de facto meeting place. Later on, this concept of a shopping/gathering venue evolved into the covered galleries which were meant primarily for the richer classes.
The stately 19th-century Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert arcade houses luxury boutiques, clockmakers and chocolate shops. A particular standout among them is the Neuhaus confectionery shop opened in 1857. Also, within the corridors of St. Hubert Gallery today you will find a number of cafes and restaurants offering great dining experience.
Why You Should Visit:
A small gallery with grand architecture; lots of shops – high-end in appearance, but pretty well-priced.
Top quality chocolate is a bit costly but if you want to indulge, this place offers a good selection.
Tip:
Go to the top floor of "Le Pain Quotidien" for a view from the upper side.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Brussels. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert on Map
Sight Name: Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert
Sight Location: Brussels, Belgium (See walking tours in Brussels)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Brussels, Belgium (See walking tours in Brussels)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Brussels, Belgium
Create Your Own Walk in Brussels
Creating your own self-guided walk in Brussels is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Brussels Introduction Walking Tour
Brussels is a major European metropolis with a remarkable history and cultural heritage, renowned for its cuisine and gastronomy, as well as for its historical and architectural landmarks, some of which are designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. The history of Brussels is closely linked to that of Western Europe, during which the city has evolved from a small rural settlement to an important... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
The European Quarter Walking Tour
Along with Luxembourg and Strasbourg, Brussels is one of the European Union’s de facto capitals. The office blocks of the European Quarter are mainly concentrated along and between two wide boulevards – rue de la Loi and rue Belliard – which Léopold II built to connect his Parc du Cinquantenaire with the city center.
Begin your exploration with the EU’s most symbolic construction, the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Begin your exploration with the EU’s most symbolic construction, the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Grand Place Walking Tour
World-famous for its imposing Baroque-style buildings, such as the Town Hall, the King's House and the House of Dukes, the Grand Place of Brussels a whole is indisputably a masterpiece of human creative genius, with a special quality of homogeneity and coherency.
The buildings around the Grand Place, all different but built within a very short period, admirably illustrate the Baroque... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.3 Km or 0.2 Miles
The buildings around the Grand Place, all different but built within a very short period, admirably illustrate the Baroque... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.3 Km or 0.2 Miles
Brussels Historical Churches Walking Tour
As well as being Belgium’s political and cultural capital, Brussels is the spiritual home of its most significant churches. Historically, the city has been predominantly Roman Catholic, especially since the expulsion of Protestants in the 16th century. The pre-eminent Catholic temple here, located just a couple of minutes from the Grand-Place, is the Brabantine Gothic Cathedral of St. Michael... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Brussels Beer Tour
Belgians are not very prone to boasting, except with things such as chocolate, fries and, evidently, beer. They treat beer the way the French treat wine: for the makers, it's a prized art; for the drinkers, it is something to be savored and discussed. They say that, on average, Belgians drink 150 liters of beer per year per person, and one would often see them sipping it from early in the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Chocolate Tour in Brussels
Belgium is considered one of, if not the, best producer of chocolate in the world. The country's capital, Brussels abounds in opportunities to taste more than 2,000 different varieties of this delectable treat. There is a plethora of chocolate shops in the city which offer chocolates of all imaginable shapes, sizes and colors.
Planète Chocolat’s chocolate-making demonstration make a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Planète Chocolat’s chocolate-making demonstration make a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
What to Buy in Brussels: 15 Ideas for Travelers
It's no secret that Brussels is not all about JCVD muscles and EU headquarters. Small country as such, Belgium abounds in signature items, such as beer, chocolates and... the peeing boy. All of these have made prime Belgian souvenirs for years. Now you can explore the Brussels gift scene in...
Belgian Beer Tour of Brussels
Belgium is world-renowned for its beers and Brussels is the best city to sample the huge variety of flavors. We'll show you the best places to buy them and to drink them. We'll even show you a family brewery where the liquid gold is produced right in front of your eyes! This tour is meant...