5 art venues to discover off the beaten track

Looking for an unusual experience? Head to Salon d'art, a hybrid venue which, as its name suggests, is both a hairdressing salon and an art gallery! This must-see Saint-Gilles venue has been introducing the general public to contemporary art since 1976, with exhibitions by, among others, Roland Topor, Pierre Alechinsky and Stefan de Jaeger. Here, art and life intermingle and you can chat about painting while getting a fresh new haircut. Jean Marchetti, hairdresser-gallerist-publisher and manager of this incredible establishment, is the guarantor of the singular spirit of this (very) open-minded location!

Where? 81 Rue de l’Hôtel des Monnaies - 1060 Saint-Gilles

When? Tuesday to Friday from 14:00 to 18:30 and Saturday from 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00.

Decrepit walls revealing a few bricks, mosaic windows, concrete floors: ELEVEN STEENS is, above all, a space of raw beauty nestled in the wasteland of the former Belgacom buildings. This art centre, which has remained untouched by industrial development, defines itself as an independent and multidisciplinary platform where art, design and the performing arts can come together. A space dedicated to "art and materials", ELEVEN STEENS explores textures, from ceramics to textiles and from wood and metal to stone. It's a unique location, with a distinct "Brooklyn" vibe.

Where? 11 Rue Steens - 1060 Saint-Gilles

When? Friday to Sunday, from 14:00 to 19:00 – Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday, appointment only.

Somewhere between an artist's studio, an architect's house and a gallery, Atelier Jespers lies at the crossroads of these worlds. Formerly the home of sculptor Oscar Jespers, to whom the gallery owes its name, its minimalist lines are the work of architect Victor Bourgeois. Behind its large modernist windows, this unique place hosts the best of contemporary art and design, just a stone's throw from Georges Henri Park. In recent years, we have come across the immaculate sculptures of Alexandra Leyre Mein and the contemporary ceramics of Dutchman Anton Reijnders. A must for all lovers of architecture and beautiful objects.

Where? 149 Avenue du Prince Héritier - 1200 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert

When? Appointment only

Just a stone's throw from the Halles Saint-Géry, the Vanhaerents Art Collection is a veritable cathedral of raw concrete spanning three floors. Housed in a former warehouse, it is a pioneer in that it is the first private collection of contemporary art accessible to the public in Belgium. The Vanhaerents family champions the "slow art" approach and brings new pieces from their collection to light every five years. By presenting them as if they were stored in a warehouse, the current scenography invites exploration. From floor to ceiling, wooden boxes and crates reveal the works with great originality and arouse our curiosity. An experience that is anything but classic and more like an artsy game of hide-and-seek!

Where? 29 Rue Anneessens - 1000 Brussels

When? Appointment only