Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert were designed in 1847 making them the first glazed shopping arcade in Europe, and today they are still among the most impressive and elegant.
The Galleries Saint Hubert are about 200 metres (656 feet) long and are covered by a huge glass dome that lets in light but not rain.
The Galeries are divided into three areas: Galerie de la Reine, Galerie du Roi and the Galerie des Princes.
The “Galeries” are very peaceful and packed with beautifully decorated window displays. There are numerous jewellers, important chocolate shops, exclusive boutiques, restaurants and bars and you’ll also find a small theatre and cinema.
The arcade links La Monnaie (the federal opera house of Belgium) and la Grand Place, connecting the old part of town with the new part of the city.
You can get to the shopping arcade from rue du Marché aux Herbes, la rue des Bouchers or from rue de l’Ecuyer.
A well preserved masterpiece
Between the years of 1820 and 1880 seven glazed arcades were built in Brussels. Currently, there are only three that survive: Galeries Saint-Hubert, the Galeries Bortier and the Northern Passage.
Since 1850 the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert have been a favourite meeting point for artists and intellectuals and also a favourite among tourists who visit its shops or sit down for a nice warm cup of coffee.
Transport
Metro: Gare Centrale, lines 1 and 5
Tram: Bourse, lines 3, 4, 31, 32 and 33
Bus: Arenberg, lines 29, 38, 63, 66, 71 and 86
Nearby places
Jeanneke Pis (104 m) Museum of the City of Brussels (178 m) Grand Place of Brussels (206 m) Brussels Cathedral (319 m) Manneken Pis (467 m)
