Discover Etterbeek: Art Nouveau, art and history

Etterbeek reveals its distinctive character where Art Nouveau, local history and cultural discoveries come together. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Etterbeek can therefore shape their stay around different interests: Maison Cauchie and Maison Hap offer an introduction to architectural history, the town hall preserves art and portraits from the municipality, and the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History awaits in Parc du Cinquantenaire.

Art Nouveau at Maison Cauchie and Maison Hap

A striking starting point for discovering the area’s culture is Maison Cauchie, the former private home of Paul Cauchie. The building was constructed in 1905 and can be considered one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau in Brussels. The façade is particularly eye-catching: large sections are decorated with a sgraffito composition created by Cauchie himself. Maison Cauchie therefore offers not only a name from architectural history, but also specific details to look out for during your visit.

For groups, Maison Cauchie offers private guided tours by prior reservation. This can be an interesting way for families or groups of friends travelling together to explore the building in greater depth. Maison Hap adds its own history to this architectural focus. It was built in 1860 and extended and remodelled in 1905 by the architect Thoelen. The façade, entrance hall and roof of Maison Hap are protected as historic monuments.

Art and local history at the town hall

The town hall of Etterbeek houses a permanent exhibition of around 50 paintings and sculptures from the municipality’s collections. The exhibition combines artistic works with a local perspective on Etterbeek. The subjects depicted also include portraits of the mayors of Etterbeek from 1830 to the present day. Anyone interested in the development of a municipality and its tangible memories will find a different perspective here from that offered by the Art Nouveau buildings.

From the oldest building to the medieval market

La Baronnie dates from 1680 and is the oldest surviving building in Etterbeek. Its historical context provides a clear contrast with the buildings of the early 20th century. The Marché médiéval also broadens the area’s cultural profile with food, crafts and entertainment. The first edition of the Marché médiéval took place in 1992. For your travel planning, this means that Etterbeek cannot be reduced to a single attraction, but offers points of interest for architecture enthusiasts, history lovers and visitors who want to experience the local atmosphere through culinary and craft offerings.

A suitable base for your discoveries

When choosing accommodation in Etterbeek, you can consider which focus you would like to shape your stay. Maison Cauchie and Maison Hap are particularly appealing to travellers interested in architecture and protected historic details. The town hall and La Baronnie place Etterbeek’s history at the centre, while the museum in Parc du Cinquantenaire adds a focus on military history. Families can combine different interests without limiting their stay to a single destination.

Other local pages on the portal include Schaerbeek/Schaarbeek, Anderlecht, Forest, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre/Sint-Pieters-Woluwe, Brussels, Ixelles/Elsene, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean and Saint-Gilles/Sint-Gillis.

Go to the main travel overview: Brussels-Capital Region.