Brussels - Home to Hergé - 3 days
Hergé and his comic strip hero are world renowned and Tintin’s adventures, with his faithful companion Snowy, took him to far-flung places around the globe; nevertheless they are indelibly linked to Brussels and visiting this wonderful city, it is very clear why! Explore Brussels - the home of Tintin’s brilliant creator Hergé and walk the footsteps of Belgium’s national hero.
Our Brussels long weekend package provides the opportunity to trace Tintin and his revered creator in Brussels, without requiring the detective skills of the famous reporter himself! This semi-independent three day package allows the flexibility for you to choose the standard of accommodation you desire and the times you wish to arrive and depart and to visit many of the sites at a time that suits you, whilst providing entrance tickets for the Hergé Museum, the Magritte Museum and the services of a knowledgeable guide for an enlightening Tintin & Hergé Walking Tour in Brussels!
Day 1: Destination Brussels
All aboard the
Eurostar at London St Pancras, Ebbsfeet
or Ashford International. The high-speed
Eurostar will whisk you to Brussels in a
couple of hours. From the moment you
step of the train at Brussels Midi it’s clear
that you’ve reached the home of Tintin, as
you’re greeted by an enormous mural of
the intrepid adventurer himself, clinging
onto the front of a steam train – a panel
from Tintin in America. The remains of the
day are free for you to settle in to your
centrally located hotel, relax at one of the
many cafes in Brussels or explore this very
European capital.
This evening consider visiting one of Brussels' Tintin themed eateries or bars. At Faubourg Saint Antoine restaurant (65 Avenue Albert Giraud, Schaerbeek) you can dine on Belgium classics, surrounded by Tintin-themed bric-a-brac, including a life-sized Snowy astronaut suit. Enjoy an upmarket tipple at Bar Dessiné (Hotel Radisson SAS, 47 Rue du Fossé aux Loups) which is adorned with pictures of Tintin. Or if, like Captain Haddock you’d like a slug of Loch Lomond whisky, make a beeline for La Fleur en Papier Doré (53 Rue des Alexiens) - the city's oldest bar, which was the favourite watering hole of Hergé himself. Overnight - Brussels
This evening consider visiting one of Brussels' Tintin themed eateries or bars. At Faubourg Saint Antoine restaurant (65 Avenue Albert Giraud, Schaerbeek) you can dine on Belgium classics, surrounded by Tintin-themed bric-a-brac, including a life-sized Snowy astronaut suit. Enjoy an upmarket tipple at Bar Dessiné (Hotel Radisson SAS, 47 Rue du Fossé aux Loups) which is adorned with pictures of Tintin. Or if, like Captain Haddock you’d like a slug of Loch Lomond whisky, make a beeline for La Fleur en Papier Doré (53 Rue des Alexiens) - the city's oldest bar, which was the favourite watering hole of Hergé himself. Overnight - Brussels
Day 2: Hergé Museum
Explore Brussels at your own pace today and head out of town to Louvain-La-Neuve to visit Belgium’s celebrated Hergé Museum (entrance ticket included). Whilst out and about in Brussels don’t miss Stockel underground station in the east end of the city, where the huge 135-metre mural featuring all 140 characters from the books was drawn by Hergé shortly before his death in 1983. Tintin murals can also be found at Ribaucourt and Porte de Hal stations.
HERGÉ MUSEUM. Providing a unique window to the incredible life and work of Hergé, the Hergé Museum, which opened in June 2009, is much more than your average museum. This innovatively designed building in Louvain-La-Neuve, less than 30km from Brussels city centre, contains more than 80 original plates and 800 photographs and documents which capture the astounding creativity of the grand master of the Ninth Art. Even the most intrepid explorers need refreshment, and the tasty Le Petit Vingtième restaurant on the ground floor will not disappoint! Overnight - Brussels (B)
HERGÉ MUSEUM. Providing a unique window to the incredible life and work of Hergé, the Hergé Museum, which opened in June 2009, is much more than your average museum. This innovatively designed building in Louvain-La-Neuve, less than 30km from Brussels city centre, contains more than 80 original plates and 800 photographs and documents which capture the astounding creativity of the grand master of the Ninth Art. Even the most intrepid explorers need refreshment, and the tasty Le Petit Vingtième restaurant on the ground floor will not disappoint! Overnight - Brussels (B)
Day 3: Tintin, Hergé & Brussels Walking Tour
At 10am this morning we meet
at Saint-Géry’s Square and embark upon
a guided Tintin, Hergé & Brussels Walking Tour in association with “Itinéraires”
(Itineraires.be). With the expertise of our
knowledgeable guide at hand, we’ll go in
search of all that is Hergé and Tintin.
Hitting the Tintin trail, we discover locations that act as a backdrop in many of Tintin’s escapades as well as several of the city’s Tintin murals, including an incredible lifesize fresco of Tintin, Snowy and Captain Haddock. Other highlights include the stylish Théâtre Royal des Galeries, where Hergé produced Tintin in India – a play adapted from The Mystery of the Blue Diamond that premiered in 1941. Another essential stop is the Belgian Centre for Comic Strip Art – a superb building designed by art-nouveau master Victor Horta, with a model moon rocket and stone bust of Tintin. We’ll also explore the flea market which provided Hergé with inspiration for the second-hand market featured in the first pages of The Secret of the Unicorn. And of course, a visit to the famous Tintin shop where you can fill your pockets with goodies, is imperative!
If you have the time, we also recommend a visit to the Magritte Museum which opened in 2009. Located at the Place Royale, in the heart of Brussels, the museum has a remarkably diverse collection of René Magritte’s work; ranging from drawings and oil painting, to sculptures and even films produced by the celebrated Belgian artist himself. Whilst in Brussels you should also be sure to sample some of their delectable, world-renowned chocolates and of course the legendary Belgian waffles!
Later this afternoon brimming with new found Tintin zest and zeal, it’s time to close the chapter on another adventure and bid farewell to Brussels. (B)
Hitting the Tintin trail, we discover locations that act as a backdrop in many of Tintin’s escapades as well as several of the city’s Tintin murals, including an incredible lifesize fresco of Tintin, Snowy and Captain Haddock. Other highlights include the stylish Théâtre Royal des Galeries, where Hergé produced Tintin in India – a play adapted from The Mystery of the Blue Diamond that premiered in 1941. Another essential stop is the Belgian Centre for Comic Strip Art – a superb building designed by art-nouveau master Victor Horta, with a model moon rocket and stone bust of Tintin. We’ll also explore the flea market which provided Hergé with inspiration for the second-hand market featured in the first pages of The Secret of the Unicorn. And of course, a visit to the famous Tintin shop where you can fill your pockets with goodies, is imperative!
If you have the time, we also recommend a visit to the Magritte Museum which opened in 2009. Located at the Place Royale, in the heart of Brussels, the museum has a remarkably diverse collection of René Magritte’s work; ranging from drawings and oil painting, to sculptures and even films produced by the celebrated Belgian artist himself. Whilst in Brussels you should also be sure to sample some of their delectable, world-renowned chocolates and of course the legendary Belgian waffles!
Later this afternoon brimming with new found Tintin zest and zeal, it’s time to close the chapter on another adventure and bid farewell to Brussels. (B)
For information on all of the Hergé and Tintin related sites in Brussels, take a look at the google map.
Tintin Flea Market
Belgium Beer Weekend on the Grand Place
Bruxelles-les-Bains
