Brussels: area by area: The Lower Town – Rue des Bouchers

The "Petite Rue des Bouchers" (street of the butchers) in the medieval center of Brussels is famous for the fact that every house in the street is a restaurant. The street is closed for traffic (anyway it is too narrow to let cars pass), and this allows the restaurants to exhibit some of their products (especially sea-food and fish) in a rather spectacular fashion in front of the passers-by. In some of the wider parts of the street it is also possible to eat and drink outside, watching the crowd strolling between the quaint, narrow houses.

The "Rue des Bouchers" is just a few minutes walking from the Grand' Place, the central market square of Brussels, which is said to be the most beautiful in the world. The square is dominated by the magnificent 15th century Town Hall, with its hundreds of little statues. Unfortunately, the most beautiful part of the Town Hall, the elegant tower, is hidden behind scaffolding, waiting for a much needed renovation. Even with the Town Hall in bad shape, the splendid 17th century buildings, with their golden inlays, surrounding the square, will certainly enchant you.