Bruxelles au lever du soleil / Brussels at sunrise
Une ville très calme le matin très tôt / A very peaceful city very early in the morning
If you have already been to Paris many times and would love to practise your French somewhere else, why not visit Brussels in Belgium? It is less than 2 hours from London with the Eurostar and is a great destination for a long (or short) weekend. Hotels can be busy during the week with people working at the European Parliament or various European Institutions. There are plenty of room options at the weekend, and (I have been told) rooms are sometimes cheaper.
You will not have the same ‘buzz’ as in Paris or London, but it will still be very enjoyable if you would like a few peaceful days. I organised a short trip there for my husband, and here are some of the places we have really enjoyed:
Une très bonne friterie / A very good shop selling fries
Maison Antoine
It used to be a temporary van in the middle of the square, and it is now a more permanent institution selling incredible French fries and various fried options. They are so good that all the bars around let you eat whatever you have bought from Maison Antoine on their premises, provided you get a drink.
I was puzzled to see ‘Mitraillette’ on their menu. ‘Mitraillette’ in France is a kind of weapon, a kind of shotgun. I realised that, there, it was a kind of baguette sandwich full of French fries. I guess it gives you a big shot of carbohydrates.
Ma chocolaterie préférée à Bruxelles / My favourite Belgian chocolate shop in Brussels
Passion Chocolat
We love trying new things, and the shop ‘Passion Chocolat’ (‘Chocolate Passion’ in English) was a nice discovery. Their chocolates are handmade and last 3 months when kept in the right conditions. These are delicious and my favourite Belgian chocolates so far. Worth a try.
L’Atomium / The Atomium
The restaurant of the Atomium
We visited the impressive Atomium structure on the outskirts of Brussels and were lucky to arrive at the restaurant on time for brunch. We loved the space, the atmosphere, and the background jazz music. Their waffles and infusions were equally good and recommended.
Le marché aux puces à Marolles / The Flea Market in Marolles
The Marolles District
This area of Brussels is full of bars, restaurants, art, vintage clothes and antique shops. On that Sunday, a huge flea market added to the energy and vibe. It’s worth visiting if you love this kind of thing.
If you want to bring some things back from the EU into the UK, don’t forget to check the current restrictions. For example, from what I could read and check online, if you bring any tea, it is allowed, but you will have to declare it at customs. If you bring some chocolates, they must be for personal consumption only. There is also a limit to the amount you can spend there and bring back.
Our visit to Brussels was short but fairly intense so not as peaceful as anticipated. Food was definitely a highlight, simple but incredibly tasty and memorable. The fries from Maison Antoine and the Flower shaped chocolates from Passion Chocolat were really addictive. I realised simple foods done so well could definitely bring a lot of satisfaction.
One thing to keep in mind in Belgium is that not everyone speaks French, some do speak Flemish so you cannot assume French will be spoken everywhere and by everyone. However, there will be, for sure, many opportunities.
Have a really nice day (or night) whenever you read this post.
Annie
Written the 8th of Novembre 2024 in Milan, Italy.