Page 89 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Brussels Bruges Ghent & Antwerp

GREA TER BRUSSELS  87

4 Ixelles
@ 34, 54, 64, 71, 80. v 7, 25, 81, 93,
94. q Porte de Namur.
Although one of Brussels’
largest suburbs and a busy
transport junction, the heart of
Ixelles remains a peaceful oasis
of lakes and woodland.
The idyllic Abbaye de la
Cambre was founded in 1201,
achieving fame and a degree of
fortune in 1242, when Saint
Boniface chose the site for his
Exclusive boutique in the chic Avenue Louise retirement. The abbey then
endured a troubled history in
2 Avenue Louise survivors which make the the wars of religion during the
suburb well worth a visit. Art 16th and 17th centuries. It
Map 2 D5. v 81, 92, 93, 94, 97.
q Louise. Nouveau and sgraffiti gems finally closed as an operational
(see p23) can be found in abbey in 1796 and now houses
Most visitors to Brussels streets such as Avenue Jean a school of architecture. The
travelling by car will come Volders and Rue Vanderschrick. abbey’s pretty Gothic church
across this busy thoroughfare, The Hôtel Hannon (1902) can be toured and its grassy
its various underpasses built remains one of the city’s most grounds and courtyards offer
in the 1950s and 1960s to link spectacular Art Nouveau a peaceful walk.
up the city centre with its structures. Restored in 1985, South of the abbey, the Bois
suburbs. In fact, the avenue it has a stained-glass window de la Cambre remains one of the
was constructed in 1864 to and ornate statuary that city’s most popular public parks.
join the centre with the suburb take this architectural style Created in 1860, it achieved
of Ixelles. The north end of to its peak (see p22). Art popularity almost immediately
the avenue retains a chic Nouveau details can be seen when royalty promenaded its
atmosphere; by the Porte in the nearby streets, particu- main route. Lakes, bridges and
de Namur, fans of designer larly in Rue Felix Delhasse lush grass make it a favoured
labels can indulge themselves and in the nearby picnic site.
in Gucci and Versace, as well as Rue Africaine. The Musée
investigating the less expen sive One of the most d’Ixelles, also
but no less chic boutiques. striking features nearby, has a fine
The avenue also has its archi- of St-Gilles is collection of
tectural treasures. The Hôtel the Porte de posters by 19th-
Solvay at No. 224 was built by Hal. Brussels’ and 20th-century
Victor Horta in 1894 for the second set Art Nouveau detail on façade in greats, such as
industrialist Solvay family. Its of town walls, Rue Africaine Toulouse Lautrec
ornate doorway, columns and built in the 14th and Magritte, as
balconies are a fine example of century, originally included well as sculptures by Rodin. The
Art Nouveau style (see pp22–3). seven gateways, of which former home of one of Belgium’s
The house is a private home, Porte de Hal is the only sur- finest sculp tors is now Musée
but visits can be arranged vivor (see p18). Used as a Constantin Meunier, with 290
(www.hotel solvay.be). At No. prison from the 16th to 18th sculptures and paintings by the
346, Hôtel Max Hallet is one of centuries, it was restored in artist, plus his studio preserved
Horta’s masterpieces, built in 1870. Today, it houses a small in its turn-of-the-century style.
1903. Continuing south leads to museum dedicated to medie-
peaceful Ixelles. val and Renaissance Brussels, P Abbaye de la Cambre
and is part of the Musées Ave Emile Duray, BRU 1050.
Royaux d’Art et d’Histoire. Open 9am–noon & 3–6pm Mon–Fri.
3 St-Gilles Closed public hols.
P Hôtel Hannon
@ 27, 48. v 3, 4, 51, 81. q Porte de Ave de la Jonction 1, BRU 1060. E Musée d’Ixelles
Hal, Parvis St-Gilles. q Albert. Rue J Van Volsem 71, BRU 1050.
Named after the patron saint E Porte de Hal Tel (02) 515 6421. Open 9:30am–5pm
Tue–Sun. Closed public hols. & 7
of this district’s main church, Blvd du Midi, BRU 1000. Tel (02)
St-Gilles is tradition ally one of 534 1518. @ 27, 48, 134, 136, 137, E Musée Constantin Meunier
Brussels’ poorer areas. However, 365. v 3, 4, 51. q Porte de Hal. Rue de l’Abbaye 59, BRU 1050. Tel (02)
amid the low-quality func- Open 9:30am–5pm Tue–Fri, 648 4449. Open 10am–noon & 12:45–
tional housing are architectural 10am–5pm Sat & Sun & 7 5pm Tue–Fri. Closed public hols.

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