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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 discover several interesting art nouveau façades, some of them of the great masters Paul Hankar, Victor Horta and van de Velde. 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 this exclusive private tour in which you will learn about the origins of Art Nouveau in Brussels and the world.
Then, you will head to Parc du Cinquantenaire and there go to visit a hidden gem, a building by Victor Horta. Although classical in appearance, the building shows the first steps of the young Horta into the new style. For the upper middle class in Brussels, working with Horta was a symbol of success and sophistication.
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.
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. 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. In the international event, 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.
You can find more information on the origins of art nouveau and Belgium’s colonial past in an article one of our experts wrote about the topic in our blog, CLICK HERE to read it.
This private tour runs for 3 hours, but we can easily upgrade it to 4 hours for a more relaxed pace, deeper exploration, or to see more sights, including perspectives beyond a colonial focus. Let us know if you prefer the extra hour, and we’ll send your custom quote. We can also provide a full-day private tour—just ask us!
Our knowledgeable local guide will immerse you in Brussels’ rich history, sharing captivating stories tailored to your group’s interests. This private tour explores the while offering a broader cultural experience, complete with . Once confirmed, we’ll just for you.
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.
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. 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 that you wouldn’t find on your own.
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 your interests as well.
This is a private walking tour, so no public transport required. If you prefer to use a taxi or bus during the experience, fares are not included. Food, drinks, and any entrance fees to museums or private residences (should we visit any, though this is not typically planned) are not covered. Your guide will always confirm options at the start of the private tour.
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. This private 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.
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.
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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