Art venues to discover off the beaten track

25 August 2026
 Vanhaerents Art Collection contemporary art Brussels

Brussels, the contemporary art city par excellence, is a major player when it comes to art galleries. Big national and international names are well established here! But the capital also boasts a number of slightly more secret, often unexpected venues for the most curious of visitors!

Follow us off the beaten track to some of the capital's most unconventional galleries. Amazing spaces, extraordinary places, innovative concepts, architectural settings that are worth the trip in their own right... here are a few hotspots to add a little spice to your art gallery experience!

The most minimalist: FONDATION CAB

A discreet venue close to the Etangs d’Ixelles, the Fondation CAB has been dedicating its exhibition spaces to minimalist and conceptual art for the past 10 years. Through an ambitious programme of two exhibitions a year, it showcases a fine selection of contemporary artists who are rarely exhibited in Brussels. Its elegantly understated spaces have hosted the monumental radicalism of Bernar Venet, the minimalist poetry of the great Fred Sandback, the architectural utopias of Jean Prouvé and some of the landmark works of British artist Richard Long. Visitors can also admire the unique architecture of the venue, which is housed in a former 1930s Art Deco-style warehouse. 

Where? Rue Borrens 32 – 34 Borrensstraat, Ixelles - Elsene
When? Wednesday to Saturday, from 12:00 to 18:00

Salon d'art Galerie Saint Gilles

The most mystical: LA LOGE

An art centre hidden in a former Masonic temple? Now that’s unusual! La Loge – a little modernist gem situated between place Eugène Flagey and avenue Louise – is, above all, an architectural delight designed by architects Fernand Bodson and Louis Van Hooveld. Since 2012, this venue – with its striking character and complex layout – has been a space dedicated to contemporary art , offering a programme focused on multidisciplinary approaches and the work of emerging artists. It hosts exhibitions designed specifically for the site, which dialogue seamlessly with the architecture. 

Where? Rue de l'Ermitage 86 Kluisstraat, Ixelles - Elsene
When? Thursday to Sunday, from 13:00 to 18:00 

Poor Paintings by Beatrice Balcou

The warmest: Galila's P.O.C

Imagine a collection of works of art as playful as it is astonishing, displaying its colours under the glass roof of an old factory. Installed in Forest, Galila's P.O.C (Passion, Obsession and Collection) reflects the sunny and daring personality of Galila Barzilaï Hollander, a self-proclaimed art addict. Over three floors, the scenography offers numerous themes to snack on and holds many surprises. You will come across (among others) a gallery of faces made up of recycled objects, a somewhat voluptuous crocodile sofa, a snake-like sculpture with fake nails, and surprising variations on the watermelon. Mixing textile, sculpture, design, furniture, photography and painting, this joyful whirlwind of art is sure to brighten up your year. Online booking only! 

Where? Avenue Van Volxem 295 Van Volxemlaan - Forest - Vorst 
When? Booking required

Atelier Jespers design architecture Brussels

The most urban: JAP / "Entre deux portes" showcase

We love art that blends into the street and reveals itself unexpectedly. That’s exactly what this Art Deco-style shop window offers, blending seamlessly in with the chic shopfronts of the charming rue de Namur. The aim? To provide a space for artists to experiment and to give the public the chance to discover their work whilst out for a stroll or a spot of shopping. Run by JAP (the Jeunesse et Arts Plastiques association), this unique venue encourages and fosters a culture of visual appreciation for all. Photographic projects, site-specific installations and other original concepts succeed one another throughout the year in this inspiring showcase. 

Where? Rue de Namur 64 Naamsestraat - Brussels
When? Every day! 

Salon d'art Galerie Saint Gilles

The most experimental: Cloud Seven

With his new exhibition space, collector Frédéric de Goldschmidt has taken an unexpected turn while adding another arty asset to the Canal district. A multi-faceted space, Cloud Seven houses an art gallery, co-working options, a bar and a gym all under one roof! Visiting is an opportunity to discover some of the most beautiful pieces of this contemporary art lover's collection in a refined setting. There are works by Fabrice Samyn, colourful weavings by Alighiero Boetti, Louise Bourgeois, Lucio Fontana and a fine selection of emerging artists. 

Where? Quai du Commerce 7 Handelskaai - Brussels
When? Tuesday to Saturday, from 14:00 to 18:00

Galerie La Maison de Rendez-vous

The most immersive: VANHAERENTS ART COLLECTION

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? Rue Anneessens 29 Anneessensstraat - Brussels
When? Booking required

Vanhaerents Art Collection contemporary art Brussels