This 19thᵉ century house is actually Victor Horta‘s very first residential project. Built in 1893, it shows the beginnings of Art Nouveau, just before the architect became a worldwide star of the style. Now meticulously restored, it offers an immersive visit thanks to a contemporary scenography by François Schuiten and Benoît Peeters – a duo who know perfectly how to tell the story of architecture and make discovery both educational and enjoyable. You can stroll through the rooms as if you were living in that era, while keeping an eye on the details that would soon make the Art Nouveau style famous.
The Autrique House – the perfect place to see how Art Nouveau got started
Here, there’s no extravagant decoration or exuberant lines like in the Hotel Tassel or the Hotel Solvay. On the contrary, it’s subtle, in the making. You spot the stained-glass windows, the touches of ironwork, the vegetal influences… and you really understand how Horta began to break with the classic model of the Belgian bourgeois home. It’s a bit like watching the first season of a cult series: the style isn’t yet fully asserted, but you can already sense everything that’s to come. Each room recounts a stage in this evolution, and even the smallest decorative details take on surprising importance when observed up close.
A simple, fluid and pleasant visit
The house is visited like a real home – you move around freely, from one room to another, up the stairs, looking at every detail with curiosity. The scenography is discreet but effective – it gives context without ever overloading. You feel invited, not watched, and enjoy the atmosphere to the full. Depending on the time of year, the house also plays host to temporary exhibitions, intimate events and cultural activities, giving it a real lively, up-to-date vibe, far removed from the classic image of a staid museum.
Practical info
📍 Address – Chaussée de Haecht 266, 1030 Schaerbeek, Belgium
🕒 Opening hours – Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 6pm
💰 Admission
- Full – €9
- Seniors, students, jobseekers – €6
- Children and Schaerbeekers – €3