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This 3-hour private tour is a good option for those looking for a new way to discover Art Nouveau in Brussels, as it focus on the relationship between the Belgian colony The Congo and the growth of art nouveau in Belgium.
You will learn about the origins of Art Nouveau in Brussels in an exclusive tour for your private group. You will walk along the neighborhoods around the Parc du Cinquantenaire, spending most of the time discovering façades and the history behind them.
Your private guide will pick you up in the Etterbeek area to start the tour. While discovering several Art Nouveau buildings there, if you are interested you may have a break in a nice café. As this is a private tour you will decide that. The Cauchie House is one of the Art Nouveau buildings discovered during the private tour.
Then, you will head to Parc du Cinquantenaire and there go to visit Pavillon Horta, a hidden building by Victor Horta not many people know about. Although classical in appearance, the building shows the first steps of the young Victor Horta towards. For the upper middle class in Brussels, working with Horta was a symbol of success and sophistication but this building that he created for The Brussels International Exposition (Exposition Internationale de Bruxelles) of 1897 was an initial work by him.
After enjoying a walk in the park you will walk around the Ambiorix, Marie-Louise and Marguerite Squares. Until the arrival of the Art Nouveau times it was a rural area but it then became a middle-class residential area. This explains why still now these small public gardens have numerous Art Nouveau mansions. Beyond buildings there’s a fountain, a waterfall, artificial grottos and a play area there. Our private tour may end in the area.
The Private Tour will start with the sightseeing of several interesting Art Nouveau façades, some of them of the great masters of Art Nouveau Paul Hankar, Victor Horta and van de Velde.
How The Congo and The Brussels International Exposition helped Art Nouveau:
At the end o the 19th Century Congo was a Belgian Colony, and the main source of revenues for its King Leopold II, and the Imperial Belgian regime introduced Art Nouveau in Congo, but it was in Belgium’s capital Brussels where this art style had its major expression.
The Congo natural resources represented a great source of currency for many Belgian burgeoise which built amazing mansions and flats to show their success to the rest of the society.
The Brussels International Exposition held in Brussels in 1897 also helped Art Nouveau to develop in the Belgium capital. There were 27 participating countries, and an estimated attendance of 7.8 million people. The main venue of the fair was the Cinquantenaire Park and showcased Art Nouveau architecture and other arts works, as well as King Leopold II of Belgium’s personal property, the Congo Free State.
Victor Horta built a small temple and succeeded in designing an almost “organic” interpretation of the classical temple, without completely abolishing any reference to an historical style.
Our knowledgeable local guide will immerse you in the rich history of Brussels, sharing fascinating stories tailored to your group’s interests. This personalized approach ensures an unforgettable and unique experience, designed specifically around your preferences. Once your private tour is confirmed, we’ll gather details about your interests to craft a tour that suits your needs perfectly.
We understand every group has different interests, and we customize the tour accordingly. Popular themes in our Brussels tours include: Art Nouveau, architecture, historic sites, Belgian beer, chocolate shops, street art, Royal Palace, and hidden gems.
We will also ask you if you have mobility constraints, children, or any special requirements. We will make our best so you have access to the local places of your interest that you wouldn’t find on your own.
On the day of the tour, we will remain flexible and adjust the itinerary and timings to meet your group’s needs, as every day is unique. Weather conditions may vary, and we are happy to accommodate your preferences for walking or other activities.
The tour starts Tour starts at Etterbeek. Exact address given once you book the private tour in accordance to your interests. The tour ends in one of these three squares: Ambiorix, Marie-Louise or Marguerite, according to the group interests as well.
Entrance fees to the museums or houses that may be visited during the tour.
This is a walking private tour and it is not required the use of public transport. If during the private tour you want to use a public transport like a taxi or bus, the fare is not included.
Food and drinks.
Languages – Our tours are primarily in English, but we can also provide guides in French, Dutch, and other languages upon request at the time of booking.
Unexpected Changes – If events, renovations, or weather affect access to certain sites, we’ll adapt the itinerary, showcasing other iconic Art Nouveau landmarks in Brussels. This tour will operate in all weather conditions so participants should take appropriate weather gear with them and involves approximately 40 minutes of walking, although walking time can depend on the group.
Selection of Guides – Our expert guides specialize in Art Nouveau and Brussels’ history, tailoring the experience to your interests. Book early to ensure the best guide for your group. Your expert guide will take you on an informative and very well documented walk through the streets of this enchanting city providing a fascinating and exclusive insight into the history of the place where Art Nouveau was born.
Beyond Art Nouveau – While focusing on Art Nouveau, we can also include other cultural highlights and offer personalized suggestions for dining and activities to complete your tour.
Brussels was the birthplace of Art Nouveau in the late 19th century, led by architects such as Victor Horta, whose groundbreaking Hôtel Tassel in 1893 marked the start of a revolution in architectural design. Moving away from rigid classical styles, Horta and contemporaries like Paul Hankar and Henry van de Velde embraced fluid, nature-inspired forms that redefined the urban landscape. Using wrought iron, stained glass, and intricate woodwork, they introduced organic motifs and a sense of movement to their buildings, injecting vitality and artistic innovation into the heart of Brussels. This new architectural language quickly became emblematic of the city’s identity, inspiring other neighborhoods to adopt and celebrate the Art Nouveau style.
The capital’s districts—such as Schaerbeek, Ixelles, and Saint-Gilles—are now renowned for their Art Nouveau residences and landmarks, many designed by Horta himself. These neighborhoods were once bustling hubs for a generation eager to break with tradition, spurred by a sense of optimism and progress. Though wartime destruction claimed some of these iconic buildings, many remarkable structures remain, protected as part of Brussels’ architectural heritage.
Today, Brussels’ Art Nouveau legacy is recognized worldwide, with over 500 surviving buildings that highlight the city’s artistic past. Visitors to the city can still explore a variety of these sites, from the Horta Museum and Maison Autrique to hidden gems tucked away in residential streets. A tour of Brussels’ Art Nouveau architecture offers an immersive journey into a style that fused nature with modernity, leaving a lasting mark on the city’s aesthetic and cultural landscape.
Belgium, a country with a rich artistic heritage, offers a wealth of Art Nouveau treasures beyond Brussels. Antwerp, a vibrant city with a fascinating history, boasts stunning Art Nouveau architecture that rivals any European city. From intricate facades to ornate interiors, Antwerp’s Art Nouveau buildings are a testament to the era’s creativity and innovation. If you’re passionate about Art Nouveau and want to explore more of Belgium’s artistic heritage, we invite you to visit our dedicated Antwerp page for more information on our day tours.
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