Place du Grand Sablon (Grand Sablon Square), Brussels
Located behind the Notre-Dame du Sablon church, Place du Grand Sablon is one of Brussels' most delightful squares. It takes the shape of a sloping wedge paved with cobblestones and is surrounded by tall, slender townhouses that showcase various architectural styles, ranging from simple crow-step gables to grand Neoclassical facades, and occasional Art Nouveau extravagances.
The prominent fountain at the center of the square was commissioned by Thomas Bruce, the Earl of Aylesbury, an English émigré and Jacobite sympathizer, in 1740. The fountain's central figure is Minerva, who holds medallions featuring the Empress Maria Theresa and her consort. Nearby, three allegorical figures can be seen – War, Fame, blowing his trumpet, and the River Scheldt with an overflowing urn.
Grand Sablon is situated in one of the city's most affluent neighborhoods and is particularly lively on weekends when an antiques market (running on Saturdays from 9 AM to 5 PM and on Sundays from 9 AM to 3 PM) sets up below the church. Many shops on the square and in the surrounding streets specialize in antiques and art, making it a perfect place for window-shopping. You can also soak up the vibrant atmosphere by dining or having a drink at one of Sablon's many cafes.
Why You Should Visit:
Between antique fairs, art galleries, small cafés and fabulous chocolatiers, this place has a charm!.
Tip:
Be sure to explore the lovely Petit Sablon garden just south of the church – it's worth a visit!
The prominent fountain at the center of the square was commissioned by Thomas Bruce, the Earl of Aylesbury, an English émigré and Jacobite sympathizer, in 1740. The fountain's central figure is Minerva, who holds medallions featuring the Empress Maria Theresa and her consort. Nearby, three allegorical figures can be seen – War, Fame, blowing his trumpet, and the River Scheldt with an overflowing urn.
Grand Sablon is situated in one of the city's most affluent neighborhoods and is particularly lively on weekends when an antiques market (running on Saturdays from 9 AM to 5 PM and on Sundays from 9 AM to 3 PM) sets up below the church. Many shops on the square and in the surrounding streets specialize in antiques and art, making it a perfect place for window-shopping. You can also soak up the vibrant atmosphere by dining or having a drink at one of Sablon's many cafes.
Why You Should Visit:
Between antique fairs, art galleries, small cafés and fabulous chocolatiers, this place has a charm!.
Tip:
Be sure to explore the lovely Petit Sablon garden just south of the church – it's worth a visit!
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Brussels. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Place du Grand Sablon (Grand Sablon Square) on Map
Sight Name: Place du Grand Sablon (Grand Sablon Square)
Sight Location: Brussels, Belgium (See walking tours in Brussels)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Brussels, Belgium (See walking tours in Brussels)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Brussels, Belgium
Create Your Own Walk in Brussels
Creating your own self-guided walk in Brussels is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Grand Place Walking Tour
World-famous for its imposing Baroque-style buildings, such as the Town Hall, the King's House and the House of Dukes, the Grand Place of Brussels a whole is indisputably a masterpiece of human creative genius, with a special quality of homogeneity and coherency.
The buildings around the Grand Place, all different but built within a very short period, admirably illustrate the Baroque... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.3 Km or 0.2 Miles
The buildings around the Grand Place, all different but built within a very short period, admirably illustrate the Baroque... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.3 Km or 0.2 Miles
Brussels Historical Churches Walking Tour
As well as being Belgium’s political and cultural capital, Brussels is the spiritual home of its most significant churches. Historically, the city has been predominantly Roman Catholic, especially since the expulsion of Protestants in the 16th century. The pre-eminent Catholic temple here, located just a couple of minutes from the Grand-Place, is the Brabantine Gothic Cathedral of St. Michael... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
The European Quarter Walking Tour
Along with Luxembourg and Strasbourg, Brussels is one of the European Union’s de facto capitals. The office blocks of the European Quarter are mainly concentrated along and between two wide boulevards – rue de la Loi and rue Belliard – which Léopold II built to connect his Parc du Cinquantenaire with the city center.
Begin your exploration with the EU’s most symbolic construction, the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Begin your exploration with the EU’s most symbolic construction, the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Chocolate Tour in Brussels
Belgium is considered one of, if not the, best producer of chocolate in the world. The country's capital, Brussels abounds in opportunities to taste more than 2,000 different varieties of this delectable treat. There is a plethora of chocolate shops in the city which offer chocolates of all imaginable shapes, sizes and colors.
Planète Chocolat’s chocolate-making demonstration make a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Planète Chocolat’s chocolate-making demonstration make a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Brussels Introduction Walking Tour
Nowadays a major center for international politics, the capital of Belgium, Brussels, is often referred to as the "Crossroads of Europe". Indeed, nestled at the heart of the continent, this city has a history closely linked to that of Western Europe. Repeatedly changing hands between various duchies, empires, republics, and kingdoms, it has evolved from a small rural settlement to an... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Brussels Beer Tour
Belgians are not very prone to boasting, except with things such as chocolate, fries and, evidently, beer. They treat beer the way the French treat wine: for the makers, it's a prized art; for the drinkers, it is something to be savored and discussed. They say that, on average, Belgians drink 150 liters of beer per year per person, and one would often see them sipping it from early in the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
What to Buy in Brussels: 15 Ideas for Travelers
It's no secret that Brussels is not all about JCVD muscles and EU headquarters. Small country as such, Belgium abounds in signature items, such as beer, chocolates and... the peeing boy. All of these have made prime Belgian souvenirs for years. Now you can explore the Brussels gift scene in...
Belgian Beer Tour of Brussels
Belgium is world-renowned for its beers and Brussels is the best city to sample the huge variety of flavors. We'll show you the best places to buy them and to drink them. We'll even show you a family brewery where the liquid gold is produced right in front of your eyes! This tour is meant...