It appears on many a postcard! Although less accessible than the Grand-Place – due to the fact that it opens only once a year – the Palais Royal de Bruxelles should have opened its doors for a month in the summer of this year. Unfortunately, due to construction work, the Palais Royal will not open its doors in 2025.
The Palais Royal in Brussels, a neoclassical jewel steeped in history
A 19th-century neoclassical mastodon that took almost fifteen years to build, the Palais was, as its name suggests, home to many of Belgium’s kings. This was the case until December 1999, when its last occupant – Prince Philippe – bid farewell to the building, in which no fewer than six architects had been involved over the centuries.
Now used for offices and institutional meetings (the current King and Queen of Belgium live at the Château de Laeken), the Royal Palace of Brussels has lost none of its original splendor: free tours, which normally run from late July to late August, allow visitors to discover the Vestibule and Escalier d’Honneur, the palace salons, the Salle Empire (home to the balls of yesteryear) and the Hall of Mirrors (with its surprising green marble), among others.
Extended closure in 2025 for renovation
However, due to renovation work, the Palais Royal de Bruxelles will not open its doors until summer 2025. We’ve already been waiting two years for the summer reopening of this must-see monument. It should have opened after July 21 and the Fête Nationale festivities, as has been the case since 1965. Bruxelles Secrète will keep you informed as soon as we have information on the official reopening date! In the meantime, we can always console ourselves with the virtual tour offered by the Palais….