Martin’s Cycle Tour – Etape 6 – Mechelen - Brussels

Are you a history buff or do you simply want to keep an unforgettable memory of your visit to Belgium? The Church of the Friars Minor in Mechelen is the place to be. With its pointed arch vaults, columns, stained glass windows, numerous religious testimonies and the care taken with every detail of the interior design, it invites you to enjoy the comfort of a 4-star hotel in a setting that is simply breathtaking. Martin's Patershof is ideally located in the heart of the historic district of Mechelen, 20 minutes from Brussels by car and 10 minutes from Brussels Airport by the Diabolo express train. It is the perfect starting point to discover Mechelen, its Beguinage, its historical sites, its generous culture and the art of living along the Dyle, which makes it a unique destination, especially when the sun comes out. www.martinshotels.com/fr/hotel/martins-patershof

Grimbergen Abbey is an abbey in the centre of Grimbergen, founded in 1128 by Lord Gauthier Berthout. Grimbergen beer has not been brewed here for more than two centuries, but it is well worth a visit. For beer lovers, the abbey beer museum is waiting for you to learn about the history of Grimbergen.

The castle dates back to the 12th century and was once the residence of Charlotte, Princess of Belgium and Empress of Mexico. You can admire it but it is not open to the public. Come and discover one of the largest botanical gardens in Europe! This historic estate of 92 hectares of greenery has something for every nature lover. 18,000 species await you! Come and admire the beautiful and interesting outdoor collections: medicinal plants, herbs, rhododendrons, conifers, maples, etc. Nieuwelaan 38 1860 Meise www.plantentuinmeise.be/fr

A symbol of Brussels and Belgium and a unique achievement in the history of architecture, the Atomium is now the most popular attraction in the capital of Europe. Built during the first post-war World Fair [Expo 58], its nine spheres represent an elementary iron crystal enlarged 165 billion times and embody the confidence that people had in science and progress.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grand-Place began to be built in the 15th century, first with halls, some guild houses and then a Town Hall to establish the authority of this commercial centre. Bombarded for 3 days by the French army in 1695, it was almost totally destroyed but like a phoenix, it rose from its ashes in less than 5 years. This is why four styles rub shoulders or even overlap at times; it is a jumble of Gothic, opulent Baroque, Neoclassical and Neo-Gothic. The tower of the Town Hall is more or less 96 metres high. A historical place The Grand-Place is a historical place and has witnessed many happy and tragic events: In 1523, the first Protestant martyrs, Henri Voes and Jean Van Eschen, were burned here by the Inquisition, 1568, the counts of Egmont and Hornes were beheaded here. In August 1695, during the War of the League of Augsburg, most of the houses along the Grote Markt, some of which were still built of wood, were destroyed during the bombardment of the town by French troops under the command of Marshal de Villeroy. Only the façade and tower of the Hôtel de Ville, which served as a target for the artillerymen, and some stone walls resisted the incendiary balls. The houses surrounding the square were quickly rebuilt, this time in stone, by the various guilds. Among these, the house of the Brewers' Guild, which today houses the Brewers' Museum

Presenting itself as the museum of Belgium and its history, but also as a 'centre for democracy', the museum has recently been completely redesigned. Democracy, prosperity, solidarity, pluralism, migration, languages, Europe: the BELvue Museum offers you the opportunity to discover the country through these themes. The approach is original, since each theme is first explained with the help of current testimonies, and then contextualised through history. More than 200 objects make up a gallery and embody the material memory of the country. You will come across, for example, a lithograph by Magritte, crystal vases from the Val Saint-Lambert, a costume from the Binche carnival, or a ball signed by the Red Devils! This building, initially used as a hotel, was built in 1776 - and opened the following year - in a tourist and commercial area (difficult to imagine today!), and very cosmopolitan (the Astoria Hotel, rue Royale, remains the only current example). The establishment mainly received tourists, mostly English, but not just any tourists: it was a luxury hotel, with prestigious clients. The building is neoclassical in style, like the whole of Place Royale, and favours sobriety and harmonious proportions. The interior visit will give you more details on the decor. The Parc de Bruxelles was a magnet for tourists: the social promenade is indeed a favourite occupation. "From noon to one o'clock, this promenade usually becomes a meeting place for foreigners and rich people. This macedoine of nations that one meets there enlivens this place for a few hours a day. Although, on the whole, relations between the Bellevue and its illustrious neighbour - the royal palace - remained good, with the hotel often hosting distinguished guests who were likely to have a royal meeting, some friction may have arisen, notably because of the construction of terraces adjacent to the establishment, giving a magnificent view of the king's gardens, which was not to Leopold II's taste... See flyer on the history of the building available on site. www.belvue.be/en

The Leopold Park, located in the heart of the European quarter, is a haven of greenery, its lawns invaded at lunchtime by students, employees of nearby institutions or tourists. It is also home to the Museum of Natural Sciences with its iguanodon parade and its gallery devoted to biodiversity, as well as the new Museum of European History and scientific institutions, such as the Solvay Library, which serves as a venue for events. 1040 Etterbeek

The huge triumphal arch already announces the Cinquantenaire Park from afar. The park was laid out in 1880 to mark Belgium's fiftieth anniversary. A modest version of the arch was built at that time. The current structure was not completed until 1905, due to a lack of funds. King Leopold II financed it with the proceeds from his private colony, the Independent State of Congo, and in 1888 and 1897 the park was the venue for the World Exhibition. Today, the building complex houses numerous museums and cultural institutions. The Army Museum, for example, has a bicycle of Leopold II as one of its highlights. But in this green space, which is also suitable for cyclists, the car still reigns supreme, with its own museum (Autoworld), a large open-air car park and the roar of the motorway beneath the park. Author: UiTinBrussel Autoworld is more than 300 vehicles, carriages and motorbikes of different origins that trace the history of the automobile and illustrate the spectacular development of vehicles over a century. Parc du Cinquantenaire 1000 Brussels

The St. Martin's Brussels EU is a trendy hotel ideally located in the heart of the European district of Brussels and only 5 minutes by metro from the historical centre. With its contemporary design, its welcoming and fully-equipped rooms, its bar, its restaurant and its fitness room, it invites you to experience an exclusive, very urban and yet soothing stay. Every detail has been studied for your greatest comfort. The acoustics, the light, the materials and the tones: prepare yourself for a unique experience, in a warm and intimate atmosphere, "just like at home". The hotel's garden, beautifully planted with trees, invites you to enjoy every ray of sunshine or to relax between two visits. St. Martin's Brussels EU is the ideal starting point to discover Brussels, its architectural treasures, its museums, its parks, its shops and the typical Brussels way of life that makes the capital of Europe so endearing. Are you looking for a prestigious hotel to organise your seminars, conferences and business meetings? St. Martin's Brussels EU has 5 meeting rooms that can accommodate from 5 to 120 people. www.martinshotels.com/fr/hotel/martins-brussels-eu