Belgian Venice

Ancient architecture, small bridges, canals, swans, windmills, and much more make this splendid town a place you always want to return to.


Pros: architecture, bridges, people

The wild ride

Fondest memory: Taking this wild ride is definitely something I'll always remember. I have to say that my friends made me do it but I don't regret. I haven't done it for quite a while so it was amazing. I felt like a child again!

What to take?

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Evenings can get pretty cold, even in August, so always have something warm with you.

August Fair

August is the time when people of Hotton organise a big fair. The place is then packed with people walking from 1 stall to another, eating fries, lollypops or cotton candy, drinking beer or wine, singing or dancing to the sound of live music...

There are also merry-go-rounds, dodgem cars, all kinds of shakers and roller coasters...

The Oneux Island

In the very centre of this lovely village is the Oneux island, surrounded by large poplar trees. It's ideal for organising events, for walking, resting, swimming, fishing and relaxation.

The island was formed by the Ourthe River and the millstream.

At the tip of the island there's a very attractive kiosk, built between 1924 and 1938. The kiosk was completely restored in 1983.

The Church Of Hotton

Close to the river, there's this Church of Hotton. It's a rather modern church, with squared limestone rubble walls.

In front of the church there's the monument to the dead of the 2 wars.

Concerts are regularly organised in the church and when we visited the village, there was a fair nearby.

The Pearl of the Ardennes

panoramic view

The small town of La Roche is situated in the Upper Belgian Ardennes, 70km from Liège and 20km from Marche-en-Famenne.

It's 1 of the primary tourist towns of the Ardennes region, nestled in a crook of the Ourthe River, surrounded by hills, with spooky castle ruins that overlook the town.

Rural Charm

St Remacle's Church in the distance

Marche is located in the province of Luxembourg, 100km away from Brussels, near the Ardennes forest, between the valley of the Lesse and the valley of the Ourthe.

The Famenne used to be a wild region, situated at the crossroads of many historical routes.

In the 5th century, the Franks settled it.

Marche, situated in Famenne, has a surface of 12 143ha (with 1000 of woods) and about 16 640 inhabitants.

landscape

models

And, as you can see, it keeps its rural charm with its landscapes and its natural backdrop.

Pros: people, landscapes

Antwerp street scenes

Who's moving?

dancing in the street

Antwerp doors

An outstanding building

Perhaps the most interesting edifice in Antwerp is the Gothic-style Cathedral of Notre Dame (the 14 and 15th centuries), which is surmounted by a spire 121.9m high.

The Cathedral contains several paintings by the 17th-century Flemish artist Rubens, who spent most of his life in Antwerp.

Easy Access!

het centraal station

One of the easiest, and probably cheapest ways of getting to Antwerp is by train.

Trains operate every half an hour (or less) from Brussels to Antwerp, and the trip lasts 35 minutes.

Website: http://www.sncb.be

Don't miss the seafood!

Belgium's famous for its seafood (mussels), chips (frites), chocolate and beer. You can find a lot of places in Antwerp where you can try all the above. All you have to do is step in and enjoy your meal! Or, when the weather's fine, you might even prefer eating outside and watching people go by.

Rubens Cafe Taverne

Being the place where Rubens spent most of his life, it's no wonder that you can even find a restaurant bearing his name. And, only a few steps from the artist's house!

Here you can enjoy your meal outside, if the weather permits, and if there aren't too many tourists making crowds round the tables.

Directions: a step from the Rubens' house

The Famous Hotel

The Hilton Hotel will definitely catch your attention as soon as you get to Green Square. This imposing building from the late 19th century dominates the right side of the square.

The building used to be the 'Grand Bazar', 1 of the leading Belgian department stores.

Behind it, if you're into shopping, you'll find a pleasant and spacious covered shopping gallery.

Address: Groenplaats 2000 Antwerp
Phone: 32-3-2041212
Website: http://www.antwerp.hilton.com

The Butchers' Hall

het vleeshuis

This 16th-century-building with 5 spires was built as a guild house and trading hall for the butchers' guild. The building also includes a chapel, a banquet and conference room and a kitchen.
Address: Vleeshouwersstraat 38-40, 2000 Antwerpen

Directions: 5 minutes North from the Market Square

Phone: + 32 (0)3-233 64 04

Belgian Shipping

Since 1958, the Steen has been the seat of the National Maritime Museum (Het Nationaal Scheepvaartmuseum).

Here, you can see a wide range of objects related to Belgian shipping.

Address: Steenplein 1

Directions: next to the river, 2 minutes walk from the Market Square

Phone: + 32 (0)3-201 93 40

The Castle

Right on the bank of the Scheldt, there's this castle (Het Steen), old as the city itself.

According to a legend, giant Druoon Antigoon lived in the castle with the towers. The same giant was said to have cut off the hands of all the captains who didn't pay his toll when crossing the Scheldt. But, Julius Caesar's nephew, Silvius Brabo, vanquished him 1 day and punished him the same way-he cut off the giant's right hand and threw it into the Scheldt.

Around 693 St. Willibrordus attempted to convert the population from here. In 830 the Vikings destroyed the fortress, although around 1520 the Steen was restored by the order of King Charles V. In the 18th century, the castle was used as a prison.

Address: Steenplein 1, 2000 Antwerpen

Directions: next to the river, 2 minutes walk from the Market Square

Phone: + 32 (0)3-201 93 40

Flemish Paintings

Antwerp's full of impressive museums and galleries. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts (Het Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten) is just 1 of them.

The Museum was built between 1878 and 1890 by Windres and F. Van Dyck.

Here you can see a rich collection of 5 centuries worth of Flemish paintings.

Address: Plaatsnijdersstraat 2, 2000 Antwerpen

Directions: entrance at: Leopold de Waelplaats

Phone: + 32 (0)3-238 78 09

The Zoo

Right next to the train station, there's this Zoo. It was founded in 1843 and is 1 of the world's most important and modern zoos. It covers the area of 10ha.

Address: Koningin Astrid Plein 26, 2018 Antwerp

Directions: next to Central Station

Phone: +32(0)3-20245 0/fax:(0)3-2310018

Website: http://www.zooantwerpen.be

A Cathedral To The Golden Age Of Rail

Don't miss Antwerp's main station with its characteristic dome!

The station was designed by Delacenserie and opened on 11 August 1905. It was restored in 1993.

Address: Koningin Astrid plein

Major Pedestrian Shopping Street

This famous street links the historical old town with the 19th century city centre. Its packed with beautiful historic buildings, including the Royal Palace where Napoleon once stayed, the Rococo Osterrieth house and the Municipal Reception Hall.

And, there's the statue of Van Dyck at the beginning of the street.

Address: Meir, Wapper, Teniersplaats

Directions: from Central station, over the De Keyzerlei, cross the Leien and you are there!

Unique Paintings

de Sint-Pauluskerk

Saint Paul's Church is a part of the former Dominican monastery. It was built between 1530 and 1571. The tower was completed in 1639.

The 15 mysteries of the Rosary were painted at the beginning of the 17th century by 11 different Antwerp masters, all belonging to the school of Rubens. It's a unique set in the history of painting.

Address: Veemarkt 

Directions: at 5 minutes walk to the North from the Big Market Square

Phone: +fax: +32(0)3-232 32 67

Website: http://www.topa.be/sint-pauluskerk/

The Town Hall

het stadhuis

This 75m long building is the Town Hall, built between 1561 and 1565 following the plans of Cornelius de Vriendt.

If you take a look at the central part of the building, you'll see the coat-of-arms and 3 images, the Madonna, holy protector of the city, in the central alcove, and 2 allegorical images, representing 'Wisdom' and 'Justice', in the 2 other alcoves.

Address: Grote Markt

Directions: between the Cathedral and the river Schelde

The Famous Fountain

Some say that the Market Square in Antwerp couldn't be imagined without the Brabo fountain.

de Brabofontein

 

The fountain was made by Jef Lambeaux, inspired by the story of young Silvius Brabo, Julius Caesar's nephew, who vanquished the giant Antigoon and punished him just as the giant used to punish all the captains of the ships who couldn't pay his toll. He cut off Antigoon's right hand and threw it into the Scheldt.

Address: Grote Markt

Directions: between the Cathedral and the river Schelde

Legendary Cathedral

This magnificent building is the Cathedral of Our Lady (De Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal). It's Belgium's largest and most important Gothic church. You can see its tower from almost all parts of the city.

arches

The interior is beautiful, especially the nave and the 6 side aisles.

Here you can take a look at the triptych 'Descent of the Cross' and the 'Resurrection', both the masterpieces of Rubens, stained-glass windows, marvelously carved wooden choir benches, confessionals, pulpit, organ...

the pulpit

There are also 4 Rubens' paintings and a statue of the Virgin Mary inside.

Address: Handschoenmarkt, 2000 Antwerp

Directions: Nearby Groenplaats and Grote Markt

Phone: +32(0)3-2139940/fax (0)3-2318617

Website: http://www.topa.be/kathedraal

The Historical Heart Of The City

This is where the heart of the old city is. You'll be stunned by the gabled guildhouses, most of which restored or reconstructed, the Town Hall and the legendary, lace-like Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal (Our Lady's Cathedral) from the 14th century.

 

And, of course, this is where the famous Brabo fountain is located.

Address: Grote Markt

Directions: between the Cathedral and the river Schelde