Davy from Brussels
Magritte House Brussels
In the painter's residence
Imagine walking the suburbs of Brussels. Suddenly you see one solitary old street lantern that vaguely reminds you of some paintings you saw during your visit to the Magritte Museum. Then you spot a house with a doorbell that says ‘Magritte’. You ring it. Someone opens the door and lets you in.
Yes, you have entered the residence of René Magritte (1898-1967).
In this small house, Belgium’s most famous painter lived with his wife Georgette Berger between 1930 and 1954. They rented the ground floor. Their friends, a bunch of artists, often came over to discuss new surrealist ideas and aesthetics. In the small dining room René Magritte created over 800 works, half of his total artistic production - including a great number of his masterpieces.
The entire house was turned into a lovely little museum in 1999. This modest gem is a brilliant alternative to the immensely popular and crowded Magritte Museum in the city centre (read the Mont des Arts article). The restored rooms suck you into the artist's daily world. You will recognize many elements such as the staircase, windows, fireplace or closets which appear in Magritte’s paintings. Personal documents, photographs, letters, watercolors and some paintings draw you further into the artist’s life and mind.
René and Georgette did not have any children. But they were very fond of their dogs. They even stuffed one of them after its death. The white dog is lying on their bed, happily smiling. Ceci est un chien de Magritte.
Quite surreal, if you think about it.
Our Brussels City Guide
Find your way with 296 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Join as a Spotter?
Loved this Spot? And love your city? Join your local team. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Brussels
Chyl
Healthy Lifestyle
Chyl is a very cute café/restaurant with an excellent plant game. It's the place you bring your girlfriends for a healthy brunch to cure your hangover.
by
Sarah
Filion
Minigolf Josaphat
Fun for all
Fun family activity - check! Original date - check! Fun afternoon with friends - check! Mini golf shouldn't just be known as a camping trip activity!
by
Sarah
Filion
Elbow Lunch Counter
Ultimate Deli Experience
They have the tastiest Philly cheese steaks, Italian BLT, pastrami sandwich and filter coffee refills. Take the counter seats for the ultimate experience.
by
Sarah
Filion
Raki
Fine wine bar
I was impressed by the Pommes Dauphine with de Herve cheese, but what stole my heart was the Hamachi, sliced perfectly, and it came with labneh & fig leaf.
by
Emilia
D'Ettorres
Sao Thai Cuisine
Thai culture to taste
When I come to Sao Thai with my friends, we order a couple of plates of the “Assiette Sao”, which includes an assortment of 6 different warm starters...
by
Emilia
D'Ettorres
Bombay BBQ
Indian fusion plates to share
The main idea is to order different plates (meat, fish, veggies) and share them! And according to the best Indian tradition, the food gets quite spicy...
by
Emilia
D'Ettorres
Flagey Building
A leading culture house
The "Flagey Building", which used to house the National Radio Broadcasting Institute, has become one of Brussels' leading cultural institutions!
by
Petra
Perazzini
Knees to Chin
Snack on rice paper rolls
"Knees to Chin" in Brussels can be both a healthy snack joint and a fully-fledged Vietnamese restaurant! I love the vibe and their famous spring rolls...
by
Sarah
Filion
Kamoun
Levantine cuisine to share
The watermelon with baked halloumi and honey will make you wonder how come you didn’t put these two together before. Be prepared to stay long...
by
Emilia
D'Ettorres
Le 203
Seasonal bistro cuisine
The counter just in front of the open kitchen where the team of Le 203 accurately plates up and serves each dish is definitely where the magic begins...
by
Emilia
D'Ettorres
Botanique
Botanical garden & cultural complex
"Botanique" is the name of the Botanical Garden of Brussels which is now a cultural complex and a perfect example of the city's multicultural identity...
by
Charlotte
Mewis
Heading to Brussels?
296 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 296 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves Brussels
Get to know our other Spotters from Brussels
As featured on:
