Architecture in Ixelles : A church and other prestigious buildings 

The tour begins with a stop in front of a church, St Boniface, built between 1846 and 1849 in the neo-Gothic style. Did you know that this impressive construction, now somewhat engulfed in the urban fabric, was the first neo-Gothic church built in Brussels? (21 rue de la Paix)

Let's take a look at Ixelles’ industrial past... with the former Demeuldre-Coché porcelain factory. These two buildings on chaussée de Wavre (numbers 141 and 143) were in fact the showroom for the porcelain factory. The eclectic store, which drew its inspiration from the Italian Renaissance, was built in 1905 with beautifully crafted facades. The company was so successful that, in around 1930, it bought the machines of the struggling Limoges porcelain works! (141 and 143 chaussée de Wavre)

The former Malibran Pavilion is better known to locals as the Town Hall. In 1833, renowned composer and violinist Charles Bériot had his country house built on this plot. The famous singer Maria Malibran married the musician some time later. In 1849, the building was bought by the commune, which carried out a number of modifications and extensions. (168-168a chaussée d’Ixelles)

There is something intriguing about this complex of buildings... and it deserves a few explanations. It is a former school complex run by the Sœurs de Notre-Dame de l'Arbre Bénit (Sisters of Our Lady of the Blessed Tree), sometimes called the Pensionnat de l'Arbre Bénit (Blessed Tree Boarding School). Adjacent to each other are a neoclassical building dating from the second half of the 19th century and a neo-Gothic red-brick structure built in 1901. The first seems much more recent than the second, don't you think? (118-120 rue de l’Arbre Bénit)

Do you know the Solvay family, who made their fortune in the world of chemistry? It settled in Brussels en masse. This neoclassical series of three houses and a townhouse - no less! - in the neoclassical style, was part of Ernest Solvay's former estate, flanked by a park. (43, 58, 58a, 61 and 63 rue des Champs Elysées)

We now head for the famous avenue Louise to admire the no less famous Solvay House, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Solvay again? We’re keeping it in the family. This is the former residence of Armand Solvay, Ernest's eldest son. Probably architect Victor Horta's most prestigious work, this Art Nouveau residence was completed in 1903. Everything about this house is reminiscent of the bourgeois world, from the facade to the beautifully preserved interior. It’s a must-see in Brussels! (224 avenue Louise)

This area is teeming with masterpieces. Would you like more UNESCO heritage? Just a stone's throw from the Solvay House, you will come face to face with the Tassel House, which is simply considered the manifesto and founding work of Art Nouveau in Brussels. It is also by Victor Horta and dates from 1893. Émile Tassel was a professor at ULB and a Freemason, like Horta. The main elements of Art Nouveau are included here, including an exposed metal structure, integration of the decor into the structure, plenty of natural light, etc. (6 rue Paul-Emile Janson)

After crossing Avenue Louise, take rue Defacqz and you will come to another gem. Ciamberlani House - named after the widow Ciamberlani who had it built for her son, the symbolist painter Albert Ciamberlani   - was designed by Paul Hankar in 1897. Designed in the geometric Art Nouveau style, its most striking features are its monumental facade - 12 metres long, twice the height of a traditional house - the facade's large-scale sgraffito decoration and its many and varied windows. While we are here, the neighbouring house on the right is also worth a look; it is also the work of Hankar (1898), who remained faithful to the Art Nouveau style. (48 and 50 rue Defacqz)

Although it too is in the Art Nouveau style, we cannot resist including this house! Just turn into the next street to discover this gem, designed by architect Albert Roosenboom in 1900. With elegant ironwork, surprising bow windows and beautiful sgraffito on the upper floor, the result is dazzling (83 rue Faider)!

Next is yet another example of Art Nouveau. The plans for this bourgeois house were drawn up by architect Ernest Blérot. Its white stone facade is extremely elegant and its curved lines rather generous (50 rue Washington)!

On the nearby rue du Magistrat, observe this house built in 1902 by well-known Ixelles architect: Léon Delune. He was a specialist in eclecticism, usually tinged with Art Nouveau, and that is exactly what he did here (45 rue du Magistrat).

A change of style with a bit of Beaux-Arts this time. Albert Roosenboom designed this house, which stands out in the Brussels architectural landscape with its Louis XV influence - note the general undulation. It was built in 1908 for Robert Altenloh, goldsmith and supplier to the court (25 rue Forestière).

Nearby, marvel at a house of the same style but one that’s even more luxurious. Can you guess? It was built in 1914 by architect Roosenboom for a certain Robert Altenloh! No, no, we are not telling you the same thing, it seems that this goldsmith's business was doing well enough to afford this folly! (219 rue Américaine)!

The next stop is a massive townhouse, built in 1912 on the corner of two streets. You will notice that the street facade is white stone, while the rear facade is red brick. An interesting hierarchy of materials, don't you think? (223 rue Américaine and 195 chaussée de Vleurgat).

Turn round and you will see a similar Beaux-Arts-style residence, built in 1913 by father and son architects Albert and Alexis Dumont. They were both well known in Brussels, with the town hall in Saint-Gilles and the former Citroën Garage (now Kanal) among their works (193 chaussée de Vleurgat).