VISIT ST. MICHAEL AND ST. GUDULA CATHEDRAL , BRUSSELS

The St. Michael and the St. Gudula Cathedral is an impressive cathedral that we think you must visit during your stay at our hotel near by Avenue Louise. Located at twenty minute walk from the Pantone hotel, this cathedral will not only offer you a great visit to this important Belgian monument but also a welcome excuse to get some fresh air in the city center of Brussels which, is already glowing because of the numerous Christmas markets and the Christmas decorations throughout Brussels city center.

The St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church at the Treurenberg Hill in Brussels. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Malines-Brussels, the national church of Belgium and it is here that royal weddings and funerals take place. In French, it is called Cathédrale Saints-Michel-et-Gudule and in Dutch Sint-Michiels- en Sint-Goedelekathedraal, usually shortened to "Sint-Goedele". Click here to see how to get there from our hotel.

Victor Hugo described this gothic marvel as the “purest flowering of the Gothic style". Upon entering the church, you’ll understand why. The interior of the Cathedral is not as decorated as you might expect of a Gothic Cathedral. The simplicity of the decoration, however, allows you to appreciate the beauty of Gothic architecture. Your attention will immediately be drawn to the building’s stunning columns and arches.

The origin of the name of this church dates back to 1047, when Lambert II, Count of Leuven founded a chapter in this church and organized the transportation of the relics of Saint Gudula. Originally the relics housed in Saint Gaugericus Church on Saint-Géry Island. In the thirteenth century, the cathedral was renovated and received its Gothic style. The choir was constructed between 1226 and 1276. The façade was completed in the mid-fifteenth century. A thorough restoration of the cathedral was carried out between 1983 and November 1999. Remains of a Romanesque church were discovered, as well as a Romanesque crypt under the choir.

The patron saints of the church, Archangel St. Michael and the martyr St. Gudula, are also the patron saints of the city of Brussels.

We also shortly would like to virtually walk you through the church. Right above the West Front you’ll find the impressive judgment window, donated by Empire Charles V in the fifteenth century. The brightness of the colors of these glasses will amaze you. Moving to the end of the cathedral you’ll find the beautiful 18th century Baroque Pulpit, sculptured in wood by Henri-Francois Verbruggen.



This obviously is only a brief description of this incredible cathedral. Below you’ll find all the information need to visit.

Cathedral

Opening times:

Monday to Friday: 7 am to 6 pm
Saturday: 8.00 am to 6 pm (visits from 8.00 am to 3.30 pm only)
Sunday: 8.00 am to 6 pm (visits from 2 pm only)
Entrance fee: free

Romanesque remains

Opening times:

Open every day from 8 am to 6 pm
Entrance fee: 1 euro (groups: 0,75 euro per person)


Romanesque crypt

Opening times:

Open on request only via A.C.T./C.D.T.B. Tel & fax: 02/219.68.34
Visits in small groups (max 10 pers.)
Entrance fee: 2,50 euros

The Cathedral Treasure

Opening times:

Monday to Friday: 10 am - 12.30 pm and 2 pm - 5 pm
Saturday: 10 am -> 3.00 pm
Sunday: 2 pm - 5 pm
Entrance fee:

Adults: 1 euro (children: free)
Schools: 5 euros
Groups: 10 euros (min 10 pers.)

For free guided tours: please contact A.C.T./C.D.T.B, tel& fax: 02/219.68.34
Secretary: Rue du Bois Sauvage 15 - 1000 Brussels - Tél.: 02/217.83.45 - Fax: 02/219.96.55

Pantone Hotel Review on QuirkyAccom.com

The Pantone Hotel invites you to experience the city of Brussels through a lens of color and a spectrum of comforts. From the moment you arrive, our 'hotel of colors' will awaken your senses to an array of delights and playful surprises. Impeccably designed by Michel Penneman and Olivier Hannaert, The Pantone Hotel showcases the color of emotion with a distinctive hue on each colorous guest floor. From vivid to subdued, for business or leisure, our unique boutique hotel perfectly suits your savvy palette and colorful imagination. From a design perspective, The Pantone Hotel, Brussels, is built on an exceptional use of contrast; a white canvas provides clean space for saturated colors to pop. Guest rooms feature unique photography by esteemed Belgian photographer Victor Levy. Guests enjoy state-of-the-art accommodations, distinctively chosen at reception to compliment their mood. Luxurious beds, inviting pillows, LCD TVs, free WiFi and central A/C with individual controls are standard. Many rooms are illuminated with unparalleled views of Brussels. While here shop and 'test drive' stylish products showcasing the innovative use of color and emotion of Pantone. From mugs to bicycles, browse the largest selection of Pantone products worldwide. A room for 2 is priced around €129 a night. Ask about last minute promotions. Room Types: Family Rooms (2 Adults / 2 Kids) Double Ensuite Triple Quad Budget: Medium €100-€250 Nearest Airport: Brussels Facilities: Family friendly

Pantone Hotel Trip Advisor Review

We had been really excited to stay at the Pantone Hotel on our trip to Brussels after reading a lot about it in on design blogs. Although a little disappointed with the sophistication and furnishings of the hotel (dirty marks on the walls, felt chairs that were marked and wearing) it was still a lovely stay and great value for money. The rooms are quite large, with a king bed, table, chairs and desk, as well as a spacious bathroom.

Although the location of the hotel is not right in the centre of the city, it is in a nice neighbourhood and a 10 minute walk from the train station. The walk into town is around 2km, and a nice easy stroll, with lots of beautiful buildings, stores and restaurants to see along the way.

The staff seemed a little unfriendly, but that could also be a slight language barrier as they spoke mainly French. We were charged with a cable-tv bill on checking out, but after explaining that it was a mistake and we hadn't bought any movies it was removed from our bill without too much fuss.

Stayed February 2012, travelled as a couple

Central Brussels Hotel Reviewed

This hotel is situated in a quiet corner of Brussels, yet within walking distance of the city centre (less than 2 km). Subway and tramlines are nearby, getting you downtown within minutes. Also within short range are nice restaurants and bars, so no need to go downtown all the time for food and drinks. The hotel rooms are small, yet comfortable. Beds are perfect, bathroom is clean. It was hot in the room when I got in, but fortunately you can turn off the heating and open the window. You can even sleep with the window open.

There is hardly any noise outside the hotel. Wireless internet is included for free in your room charge giving you great value for the money you pay. Not included is breakfast. That will cost you an additional € 15 each person, which in my opinion is too much for what the hotel offers. Although you do get a fine Nespresso coffee. Pay attention that the hotel doesn't offer parking facilities, although we could park our car just in front of the hotel both nights we were there. Parking is free from 18:30 till 9:00.

There is a parking garage nearby which charges € 15 per day. Also pay attention of your luggage when visiting Brussels. As in most European cities, you can be robbed. I don't blame the hotel for this, but one of our laptops was stolen in the breakfast area while we had breakfast... So keep your personal belongings with you, all the time!

Stayed January 2012, travelled on business

Pantone, l’albergo dei colori

Finestre, letti, pareti, sedie, biciclette, anche la carta igienica: qui tutto è all'insegna del design, ma soprattutto dei colori

Bruxelles - A guardarlo dall’esterno sembra il Bauhaus di Dessau, ma con un tocco di vivacità in più. Il Pantone Hotel è un albergo dall’architettura minimal, un grande parallelepipedo bianco a cui sembrano incollate come figurine numerose finestre quadrate e rettangolari incorniciate da un’intelaiatura nera, che ricordano davvero la storica sede della scuola di design tedesca. Qua è là, però, i vetri sono colorati di verde, rosso e blu: un assaggio di ciò che attende gli ospiti all'interno.

Il nome Pantone è ripreso dall’omonimo sistema di catalogazione cromatica per la produzione grafica, e proprio il mondo dei colori è il leitmotiv di questo particolare albergo. L’architettura e l’arredamento appaiono infatti declassati a coprotagonisti rispetto alle scelte cromatiche: sono i colori i veri artefici delle diverse atmosfere che si ritrovano in ognuna delle 61 camere.

Da quella in azzurro Pantone 298 C, acquatico e tranquillo, a quella con il lilla Pantone 238 C, accattivante e pregiato. In ogni ambiente una parete accoglie tre o quattro cartoncini che sembrano presi da un campionario di vernice, su cui sono indicate le sfumature utilizzate. Arrivati nella hall, non resta quindi altro che scegliere la camera cromaticamente più vicina al vostro umore o al vostro carattere (sempre che non sia già occupata). Per completezza, ognuna è dotata di televisore lcd, aria condizionata e wi-fi gratuito.

Non solo le stanze, però: ogni minimo particolare, dalla tazzina del caffè alle sedie, dalle biciclette a noleggio ai portariviste, è in linea con l’aura pop che si coglie nell’albergo. Tutto è colorato e contrassegnato dal giusto cartellino o etichetta con codice Pantone.

I prezzi variano in base al periodo, ma vanno comunque da circa 60 a 200 euro a notte per persona.

Palais de Justice Brussels

The Palais de Justice was designed by Joseph Poelaert and built between 1866 and 1893 on the hill where the gallows stood in medieval times. The total cost of the construction, land and furnishings was somewhere in the region of 45 million Belgian francs. It is the biggest building constructed in the 19th century covering an larger area than St. Peter's in Rome.

The Palais overlooks the entire city of Brussels. From here are some of the best panoramas of the city in all directions and can take the glass lift from Place Breugel to Place Poelaert and vice versa get a nice view over Brussels, for free.

Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm closed July guided tours are by written request only admission free

Designers Weekend at Design September Brussels

Le PANTONE HOTEL vous invite à découvrir la ville de Bruxelles à travers une multitude de couleurs dans un confort optimal. Dès votre arrivée, notre hôtel éveillera vos sens, vous procurant ainsi une gamme de plaisirs et de surprises ludiques.

Aménagé par le designer Michel Penneman et l’architecte Olivier Hannaert, le PANTONE HOTEL vous propose des chambres modernes et colorées au goût du jour, chaque étage étant dominé par une des sept palettes de couleurs Pantone.

Au point de vue du design, le PANTONE HOTEL se démarque des autres par l’utilisation systématique de contrastes: des murs blancs immaculés pour saturer les couleurs pop. Chaque chambre expose également des photographies originales du célèbre photographe belge, Victor Levy.

Bienvenue au centre de l’univers de la couleur.

Brussels Design September

Brussels' Design September returns with a month of activities linked to contemporary design, featuring dozens of events in and around the city. Food, workshops and plenty of shopping opportunities are all part of the programme. Free your inner design junkie!

Look out for Designers' Open Doors, which allows visitors exclusive access into a dozen of Brussels' most renowned designers' workshops. They promise to explain their working methods, a congenial way of demystifying design.

Visit Brussels; The Brussels Card

The Brussels Card is the best way to see this fascinating capital of Europe. It offers you, during 24, 48 or 72h, free entry to over 30 museums, free use of public transports and exclusive offers in designers boutiques, shops, exhibitions, restaurants & attractions.

Some of what the pass offers

• Free entry to over 30 main museums
• Free access to metro, tram & bus network
• 25% discount for the Atomium
• Between 25 and 50% discount on entry to tourist attractions and tours
• 25% discount (or free drink) in restaurants and bars
• Between 5 and 25% discount in typical shops and fashion designers shops
• 1 Free comprehensive "Brussels Card" guidebook

Reviews on Viator universally agree about the worth and value of buying a Brussels Card for your Visit;

"Superb value for money and so easy to use. Saved a lot of hassle on the Metro and trams, not to mention in the museums."

"We would recommend Brussels and the Brussels card to anyone thinking of travelling to Belgium in the future, it is a great place to spend a long weekend."

Brussels Summer Festival

The grand buildings, streets and squares of Brussels are turned into concert venues during the Summer Festival with a varied programme of 150 concerts and shows for all.The entertainment ranges from hip hop, folk, reggae and electronic music, street performances, stand-up comedy and kids' entertainment.

The Festival runs from 12 to 21 August and tickets come in 4 and 10 day packages; the new 4 day pass is valid for the first four days of the festival from 12 to 15 August,and offers you access to all stages and activities.

The Brussels Summer Festival can be reached by…

Metro: lines 1 and 5 – ‘Parc’ or ‘Brussels-Central station’ stops

Tram: lines 92 and 94 – ‘Royale’ stop

Bus: lines 27, 38, 71 and 95 – ‘Royale’ stop

Train: Brussels-Central station

Bike: Villo (bike hire) station terminals: rue Royale 66, rue Royale 14, rue de la Régence 20, boulevard de l’Empereur 2 (villo.be)

Meyboon Festival, Brussels 2011

The plantation of the Meyboom on the corner of the Rue du Marais and the Rue des Sables is an old, folklore event in Brussels. The Mayboom (maypole) is raised in Brussels, on the anniversary of a wedding which took place in 1213. A posse of costumed locals accompanies the pole (actually a tree) from the Sablon to the Grand Place.

According to legend, the wedding party was ambushed by a gang of youths from Leuven. When the unwanted youths were finally dispatched, the happy couple were entitled to honour their saviour, Saint Laurence, by planting a May tree on his saint's day every year.

The tradition still survives today, and has grown to become one of the major events on Brussels' heritage calendar. It is even recognized by the UNESCO.

This event takes place on Tuesday 9th Aug 2011 in the Place du Grand Sablon. The procession begins at 2pm with the tree being planted 5pm. There is then a bonfire 8.30pm

Foire du Midi / Zuidfoor / Midi Fair of Brussels

The Midi Fair of Brussels, also known as Foire du Midi in French and Zuidfoor in Dutch, will take place at Boulevard du Midi/Zuidlaan, between Porte de Hal/Hallepoort and Porte d’Anderlecht/Anderlechtsepoort. Stop by and have a whale of a time at the fairground attractions, and enjoy doughnut balls, a wonderful atmosphere, a unique experience and great entertainment.

The fair is open from Saturday the 16th of July until Sunday the 21st of August, every day from 3 pm until 1 am, and during weekends and the eve of a bank holiday from 3 pm until 2 am.

Don’t miss the official opening of the Midi Fair on Saturday the 16th of July at 3 pm at Porte d’Anderlecht/Anderlechtsepoort. A municipal procession with, among others, the mayor, aldermen and the city councillors of Brussels, who will inaugurate the event with a two-hour walk along the fair grounds, stopping at a few stalls for a drink and a rest.

This year, the street animation will be provided by several street artists, for example jugglers, who will distribute a few souvenirs. In addition, two brass bands, ‘Harmonie des Corps de Police de Bruxelles’ and ‘Fanfare des Forains’, will keep up the pace during the walk with their musical rhythms! Moreover, the procession will halt at the statue of ‘Pierrot’ for a ceremony in honour of the fair stall holders who died during the First and Second World War. Pierrot will thus keep watch over the fair and its people.

Brussels Hotel Events News