The Sablon district between chocolatiers & antique dealers in Brussels

Updated on December 8, 2022 by pierre

1. The Sablon district in Brussels:

The district of Template inherited its name from the fine sand that covered the hills overlooking the Senne valley. The Sablon district is one of the assets of the city of Brussels. The charm of architecture, the wealth gastronomic and especially its antique are treasures that absolutely deserve to be discovered. Did you know that originally the Sablon was a huge district of the Haute Senne, a meeting place for locals, until the XNUMXth century when Haussmannian architecture split the neighborhood in two, giving rise to the Small Template and at the Grand Sablon.

The Sablon district is located in the historic center of Brussels. It includes the Petit Sablon and its square. You will also find the famous Notre-Dame church and the Place du Grand Sablon. Do not miss the surrounding streets. He absolutely must be on your list, if you want visit Brussels in one day.

2. What to do in the sablon district in Brussels?

2.1 The Sablon and its chocolatiers

Marcolini Brussels chocolate tasting in the Sablon — (c) Wikipedia Marcolini Chocolate

The Grant and the Petit Sablon served as connection of lower and upper town. The Grand Sablon was transformed little by little to receive a horse market, a guide of crossbowmen, a gothic church and the famous Ommegang procession. stretching to rue Rollebeek, the Grand Sablon is chocolate heaven. Lovers of truffles or pralines will not be disappointed with their visit.
Marcolini, Wittamer, Godiva await them to taste the masterpieces of the greatest chocolate artisans City. The Grand Sablon is also home to many restaurants and terraces that offer local dishes.

Opposite the Notre Dame church, the Petit Sablon evokes the beauty of the Baroque style, thanks to a few 17th century houses that surround the square as well as the Fountain of the Counts of Egmont and Home.
Just at the foot of the Grand Sablon, the rue de Rollebeek offers a magnificent contrast to the esplanade. She is part of first pedestrian streets of Brussels. Different restaurants, Art Gallery et bars run along the street. The cobbled street nuanced by a few stairs is also home to bowling alleys, to the delight of lovers of this discipline.

2.2 The antiques district in Brussels

Art lovers will not regret their visit to the Quartier du Sablon. Indeed, the district is a veritable gold mine of old and rare objects. The market for antiquities located at the foot of the Notre-Dame church is a must during your stay in Brussels. You can't miss them with their red and green striped tents, real traveling museums.

2.3 Place du Petit Sablon

At the top of the Sablon, where the old cemetery stood, is the Place du Petit Sablon. This extends to the Palace of Egmont. You will not fail to notice that in its center is the famous Fountain of the Counts of Egmont and Horne. Did you know that this fountain was originally located in front of the King's house on the Grand-Place in Brussels ? Around this fountain is a group of 10 characters. These statues represent politicians, scholars and artists alike.

In the middle of the Place du Petit Sablon, you will find a magnificent garden that has existed since 1890. Its wrought iron enclosure is none other than the one that surrounded the old Coudenberg palace. The 48 sculptures on this square represent the 48 trades of yesteryear. This will fascinate admirers of the past when they pass through the Sablon district.