The experience.brussels exhibition can be found in the heart of Brussels, at the Place Royale. It is a perfect place to start your (re)discovery of Brussels.
The exhibition
Fall in love with this unique city
This exhibition allows you to experience Brussels in an entirely new and different way. You will discover the city’s most famous places, the little-known gems and the secret spots through the eyes of the city’s greatest asset: the people who live, work, come together and shine in the heart of Europe.
What is Brussels' greatest symbol? A giant atom? A little boy peeing? A lavishly ornamented square? Rainy weather? A portion of Belgian chips? At experience.brussels you will discover the real Brussels, in all its diverse, sometimes complex but always stunning beauty.
Brussels like you’ve never seen it before
The exhibition presents you with a different and personal overview of Brussels. Turn the pages of our giant book to discover the major moments of Brussels' history; take part in our interactive quiz and test your knowledge of the European Union; or learn to speak a word or two in the old Brussels dialect!
Meet the genuine Brussels locals, colourful and charming characters, who will tell you their story, the anecdotes about their lives in the capital. Our incredible interactive model allows you to have all four corners of the Brussels-Capital Region at your fingertips: its 19 communes and its interconnected neighbourhoods will amaze you. Expand your appreciation for how this multi-faceted capital works and houses 5 parliaments. And do not leave without your own personalised post card!
Visit as a family or a group? There's something for everyone.
Did you ever ask yourself how Brussels would look like from above?
You’ll marvel at our impressive 3D model of the Brussels-Capital region (scale 1:1.500). With this interactive model, Brussels is literally at your fingertips: its geography, its most famous buildings, its tram lines, its metro and train networks, its green spaces, and its 19 communes. Furthermore, you can watch a short film (20 minutes) that shows the stunning history of Brussels. The numerous projections beamed directly onto the model will help you understand its development at every stage of its history.
Photo booth: send a souvenir of your visit to those at home!
Strike a pose in front of our green key and transport yourself to all four corners of the Brussels-Capital Region: stand on top of Town Hall, pop into the European Parliament, kiss a Smurf, visit a contemporary art exhibition, go for a stroll in the king's private gardens, blend into a crowd of Mannekens Pis, juggle with one of the Atomium's spheres or take a selfie on the mainstage of the Brussels Summer Festival!
A keen social media user? Share your fantastic photos as animated GIFs on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+...
Do you prefer the mailman? Print your pictures as personalised postcards in a matter of seconds!
Visiting the expo with your family?
Visiting experience.brussels with your family? Explore the exhibition's various worlds in a modern and interactive way, thanks to our educational booklets. Young and not so young will discover Brussels through challenges, puzzles and other activities.
Booklets
Around the World in 19 Communes
- 8 > 12 years old
An interactive activity that presents the Brussels-Capital Region, and the diversity of its inhabitants.
Price: €2 | Available in French, Dutch and English
“Around the world in 19 communes” lets children develop their general knowledge and gain a better understanding of the diversity of the region’s neighbourhoods.
Set off to encounter the multitude of cultures that make up Brussels’ great mosaic of cultures: 183 nationalities – from near and far – live here and share customs and traditions… it’s a round-the-world tour without ever leaving Brussels! Thanks to this activity, you will learn all sorts of interesting things about the people make Brussels such a multicultural region.
Each child gets a booklet that resembles a suitcase. Armed with their luggage, they set off to meet the people of Brussels and complete challenges. Each challenge lets them collect globe-trotter stickers and work out the key code to their suitcase!
Useful information: the booklets are on sale 7 days a week from the exhibition’s ticket office for €2, and participants who complete all the challenges will get a little reward!
The Explorer
- 8>12 years old
An expedition that is full of surprises and reveals the unexpected sides of our region: its fauna and flora, its hills, waterways and streams, its inhabitants and its legends.
Price: €4 | Available in French, Dutch and English
After this exploration that lasts just under two hours, your little budding explorers will know everything there is to know about Brussels. Armed with their booklet, they will have fun discovering the geography of Brussels, learning about the inhabitants and birds that can be found in the region, and also exploring the European Union in Brussels. They will (re)familiarise themselves with the region's history and legends and the etymology of certain places. This activity alternates cleverly between moments of play, drawing, searching for information and crafts.
Useful information: the booklets are on sale 7 days a week from the exhibition’s ticket office for €4, and participants who complete all the challenges will get a little reward!
eB! Quiz
- Teenagers
A challenging activity in a modern and interactive exhibition!
Price: €2 | Available in French, Dutch and English
The eB! Quiz covers a wide range of fascinating issues. Brussels’ geography, history, environment and institutions, as well as its status as the capital of Europe, are revealed around every corner.
How did a provincial town become the capital of 500 million Europeans? Which subway lines run under the old medieval wall? What is the highest point in the region? Why did a word that means 'bastard' become a compliment? Which inhabitants of Brussels received the Nobel Prize? You will discover it thanks to crosswords, a huge scale model, by listening under umbrellas and getting lost in a maze. Ready to take on the challenge and be amazed?
Useful information: the booklets are sold 7 days a week at the exhibition’s ticket office for €2. Participants who have taken on all the challenges get a little reward!
Visiting the expo with a group?
The experience.brussels exhibition, a fun and interactive discovery, will fascinate young and old of all backgrounds, thanks to its stunning scenography and its original content. You will be welcomed by an enthusiastic team that offers you activities (booklets, board games and quiz) specially designed for children and teenagers that fit perfectly with specific subjects and classes.
Booklets
Are you an "Echte Brusseleir"?
- 5>7 years old
Discover Brussels, its specialities and its history, through observation, drawing and colouring
1h | max. 30 participants | Only available in French and Dutch
This game is meant for your little ones and relies on observation and drawing. Using this approach, the children can recreate a new metro station, find objects that belonged to Edith Cavell, dress up King Leopold, reinvent the European flag and give magical powers to the people exhibited in the life-size photographs! At the end of their visit, they will have discovered some of the aspects that make Brussels such a fascinating city!
This activity allows younger visitors (5 to 7 years old) to discover Brussels by using their imagination and creativity.
This game compliments lessons on:
- Studies about our environment (society, citizenship)
- Artistic development
Around the World in 19 Communes
- 8 > 12 years old
An interactive activity that presents the Brussels-Capital Region, and the diversity of its inhabitants.
1h30 | max. 30 participants | Available in French, Dutch and English
Set off to encounter a multitude of cultures that make up the giant mosaic that is Brussels: 183 nationalities – from near and far – living together and sharing customs and traditions… you can almost travel around the world without ever leaving Brussels! This activity will help the kids learn a whole host of interesting things about the people that make Brussels a truly multicultural region.
Every child receives a booklet in the shape of a suitcase. Armed with their luggage, they set off to meet the inhabitants of Brussels by taking on several challenges. Each challenge lets them collect globe-trotter stickers and find the code they need to unlock their padlock!
This game lets children develop their general knowledge and offers them a better understanding of the diversity found within the region's neighbourhoods.
The Explorer
- 8>12 years old
An expedition that is full of surprises and reveals the unexpected sides of our region: its fauna and flora, its hills, waterways and streams, its inhabitants and its legends.
2h00 | max. 30 participants | Available in French, Dutch and English
After this exploration that lasts just under two hours, your little budding explorers will know everything there is to know about Brussels. Armed with their booklet, they will have fun discovering the geography of Brussels, learning about the inhabitants and birds that can be found in the region, and also exploring the European Union in Brussels. They will (re)familiarise themselves with the region's history and legends and the etymology of certain places. This activity alternates cleverly between moments of play, drawing, searching for information and crafts.
This pedagogical way of visiting the experience.brussels exhibition allows participants to improve their general knowledge, along with their reading and observational skills. It also lets them discover Brussels differently and develop their teamwork skills and their ability to search for information.
eB! Quiz
- Teenagers & groups of adults
A booklet offering various activities in a modern and interactive exhibition
1h | max. 50 participants | Available in French, Dutch and English
The eB! Quiz deals with various fascinating subjects. At the heart of a challenging interactive exhibition, it can sometimes be difficult to choose the right information. This booklet was specially conceived to travel from room to room, following a route paved with questions, challenges and games. To answer the questions, no previous knowledge is required, all you need is a keen eye. Geography, history, the environment and Brussels’ institutions, as well as its status as capital of Europe are revealed bit by bit. Every room is designed to be original and fun, helping you to learn while you enjoy yourself!
This pedagocical way of visiting experience.brussels helps participants to hone their general knowledge, reading and observation skills. It also lets them discover Brussels differently, while teaching them how to search for information and answers.
This activity fits perfectly with the following subjects or classes:
- Environmental studies (history, geography, citizenship)
- Languages (from level B1; available in French Dutch and English)
Board games
eB! Challenge
- Teenagers & groups of adults
A fierce team game that is fun and educational, based on research and observation
1h | min. 6; max. 24 participants | Available in French, Dutch and English
The eB! Challenge board is made up of concentric circles and the aim is to get to the central disc. To do so, participants split into small teams, and take on a series of challenges. They travel through the various rooms, taking up progressively harder challenges that will put their observation and teamwork skills to the test. The missions let them discover all aspects of Brussels. Each challenge they overcome brings them closer to the final test, but they need to be careful not to get trapped by another team!
Combining suspense and learning, this game helps teens hone their general knowledge as well as their reading, observation, teamwork and research skills.
eB! Pursuit
- 8>12 years old & groups of adults
A captivating, fun and educational team game based on research and observation
1h30 | min. 6; max. 24 participants | Available in French, Dutch and English
The eB! Pursuit game implicates the entire exhibition. Participants, split into small teams, travel through the different rooms. Searching for the answer to a question given to them on a card by the game organiser, their observational skills and ability to work as a team will be put to the test. The questions will help them to discover Brussels and its special charms. For each correct answer, players will be rewarded with a sticker to add to their game card. At the end of the game, participants will have completed their card and actively discovered every corner of the exhibition.
This game helps to develop the children's general knowledge as well as reading ability, observational and research skills and their ability to work as a team.
Are you looking for somewhere to enjoy your lunch as a group?
Our "Agora" picnic space is at your disposal (booking required), for free.
In this room, you can enjoy your own packed lunch in peace with a sensational view on the Place Royale!
Would you like to book? Simply tick the option when you fill in your form to book a visit.
What's on this season?
The dynamic team at experience.brussels regularly invites you to (re)discover its permanent exhibition through exceptional events, activities and artistic performances. They also organise bilingual holiday activities for children.
© visit.brussels - Eric Danhier
Museum Night Fever
More info coming soon.
© visit.brussels - Jean-Paul Remy
Children's holiday activities
More info coming soon...
Prepare your visit
Whether you are only here for a few days or you were born and raised in Brussels: this city's great atmosphere will amaze you and you will be stunned by how much Brussels has to offer. The experience.brussels exhibition is free and open to all. It will be an amazing discovery for you, your friends and family!
Pricing
Activities for families - booking is not mandatory for less than 10 people
€4
€2
Activities for groups - booking required
Schools and similar
€1 per pers
Set price for non-school groups
€60 excl. VAT
Annual fee for schools and similar*
€100 excl. VAT
* Includes the activities and entry for the children/students and their accompanying adults. Unlimited, during normal opening hours, depending on our availability. Booking required and only until 31 December of this year.
Contact details & opening hours
Address
Rue Royale 4, 1000 Brussels
Contact us
T.: +32 (0)2 563 61 11 or info@experience.brussels
Opening hours
From Monday to Saturday, from 09:30 am to 17:30
Closed on 1 January, 25 December and on Sunday
Accessibility
How to get to experience.brussels?
Train: Bruxelles-Central / Brussel-Centraal station (10 min walk) or Bruxelles-Luxembourg / Brussel-Luxemburg station (15 min walk)
Metro: 1, 2, 5, 6; Gare Centrale / Centraal Station, Parc / Park, Trône / Troon, Porte de Namur / Naamsepoort (all less than 10 min)
Tram: 92 and 93. Get off at the stop PALAIS / PALEIZEN
Bus: 33, 38, 71, and 95. Get off at the stop ROYALE / KONING
Parking: place des Palais, Grand Sablon, parking Albertine (on rue des Sols) and rue Ducale.
Persons with reduced mobility
Permanent and temporary exhibitions are accessible to persons with reduced mobility. They will find a suitable entrance at 6 rue Royale
Tickets for persons with reduced mobility include a ticket for accompanying adults.
Our building, an 18th century gem
The BIP or “House of the Region”, is a neoclassical building and one of few last traces of French occupation in the country. This location was home to a princely home from as early as the 11th century. In the 18th century, an immense fire destroyed the Coudenberg Palace, which gave the square the name “Cour brulée” (burned square), and as such no renovation works were carried out.
When it was finally reconstructed, thanks to several financing arrangements, the courtyard was turned into 8 residences. The new Place Royale also became a public square. At the beginning of the 20th century, there was one final wave of architectural changes made, transforming the building into a Lloyds bank, then a café and then a bookshop. Today, the two remaining residences belong to the Brussels-Capital Region. The headquarters of the Brussels regional government is housed in one, with the other occupied by, among others, the Tourism office and experience.brussels. The building’s use as a bank is still evident, with the monumental marble and panelling, and the “Salle des Guichets” (counter room) which has kept its name to this day.
