Brussels and Bureaucracy: A Guide to the EU District and its Architecture

Bureaucracy doesn’t have to be boring. Brussels is often labeled as the “Capitol of Europe”, as it hosts the European Union Council and, alongside Strasbourg, the EU Parliament. On this walking tour, you’ll discover the beating heart of the EU, the offices’s foundations, some clandestine meeting spots, and the history behind the architecture. The tour starts at the beautiful and majestic Cinquantenaire Park where you’ll learn how Belgium started off with big imperial ambitions and soon transformed into the main city of a multinational experiment in democracy. You’ll walk through the iconic Triumphal Arches and hear all about their creation and the neighboring museums around this grand area. You’ll continue towards the EU Quarters and find out about its eclectic story, from its overpriced parks to secret river chambers, vast office fortresses and Leopold-era science communities. After we pass the House of European History, known for its comprehensive exhibits on the history of the European Union, you’ll make your way towards the European Parliament Complex. Here, you’ll delve into its many functions and sub-divisions, a fitting end to this comprehensive tour about the EU in Brussels. On this 45-minute walking tour, you’ll have a chance to: • Dive into the various architectures of the diverse neighborhood and get a “window” into the EU culture • Pass the Berlaymont, the headquarters of the European Commission, built in 1969 on the site of a former convent and designed in the shape of St. Andrew’s cross • Find some of the best museums to get a full understanding of the European Union • Learn the lives behind many famous names of streets and monuments, including Robert Schuman and Altiero Spinelli • Eat some tasty waffles and drink some coffee while eavesdropping on international intrigue • Hear how an art house turned into one of Brussels’ top religious monuments At the end of this Brussels walking tour, you’ll get a new appreciation of bureaucratic Brussels and its claim to being the capital of the European Union. This tour is highly recommended for any newcomers and visitors who will be working with the Commission, Council, or Parliament and need a quick understanding of the lay of the land and background, or for those traveling through Brussels and are still mystified by the layout and history.

Price: £7.99 from VoiceMap