For a long time reserved for the cosmopolitan population drawn by the international bodies, the European quarter and its Parliament - the "Caprice des Dieux", an acerbic nickname attributed by the people of Brussels - has recently discovered a Brussels soul. During the week, it is no longer uncommon to come across locals sitting down at one of the many restaurants that have sprung up in the Parliament-Council-European Commission triangle. The Place du Luxembourg has even become the place to be on Thursday evenings, "the place to drink" for afterwork sessions attended by lobbyists, parliamentary assistants and Erasmus students alike.
Led by European institutions and local officials, efforts to open up the city are bearing fruit. More business travellers are also extending their stay for an evening or even a weekend. The number of projects is increasing, with a host of cultural buildings, new restaurants and hotels, and logistics facilities such as the Schuman multimodal hub. In the shadow of the Berlaymont, the imposing building where the Commission is based, the district is showing itself in a new light, adding Brussels gouaille to the European Esperanto. And at the foot of this Tower of Babel, you start to believe in a form of utopia "made in Brussels". Another European dream.
How to get there
Thalys links Paris Nord and Brussels Midi stations in 1 hour 22 minutes, with 22 round trips a day. Since the launch of the Lille Europe-Amsterdam line in 2014, the red trains also run twice between Lille and the Belgian capital, for a journey time of just over 30 minutes. Throughout the journey, business travellers can stay productive thanks to WiFi connectivity. Available from 2008, it is offered to passengers in Comfort 1 class and travelling on Semi-Flex, B2B and Thalys ThePass fares in Comfort 2. First class passengers will also be able to eat at their seats. There are also practical services reserved for Platinium, Platinium+ and Gold members of the loyalty programme.
Tel: +33 892 35 35 36 (€0.34/min, 7am to 10pm) - Internet: www.thalys.com
Original events
Who says business events have to be modern? In Brussels, some exceptional venues offer an original alternative for meetings in style. Such is the case of the Solvay library, managed by the Edificio group. Just a stone's throw from the European Parliament, overlooking the Parc Léopold, this listed building stands out for its refined décor. The venue, designed at the request of the famous Belgian industrialist, can host all kinds of events in its venerable reading room. Ten minutes' walk away, the Concert Noble is designed for larger-scale events. Its ballroom has a capacity of 600 guests in cocktail format. Here too, the prestigious Louis XVI-style décor invites guests to take a trip back in time. But Brussels is also home to the very contemporary. Since 2009, the Square has been showcasing its glass and steel architecture on the Mont des Arts. Comprising 20 rooms, the convention centre offers 4,000 m2 of modular space for special occasions.
Solvay LibraryParc Leopold. Rue Belliard, 137.
Tel : +32 2 738 75 96 - Email : bibliothequesolvay@edifcio.be -
Internet : http://www.edificio.be/
Noble ConcertRue d'Arlon, 82-84 - Tel: +32 2 738 75 96 - Email: concertnoble@edifcio.be - Internet : www.edificio.be
Square - Brussels Meeting CentreMont des Arts.
Tel : +32 2 515 13 22 - Email : info@square-brussels.com - Internet : www.square-brussels.com
Thalys lounge
At the beginning of 2016, passengers will be able to enjoy a brand new Thalys lounge at Brussels Midi station. But passengers who would like to discover the concept can already enjoy it in Paris. This summer, the company opened its first lounge in the French capital, just a stone's throw from Gare du Nord, at 22, rue de Dunkerque. The lounge is less than a minute's walk from the platforms, but has taken up residence in a building far from the hustle and bustle of the station. Open from 6am to 10pm on weekdays (from 7am on Sundays and until 8.30pm on Saturdays), the Thalys Lounge&More has a meeting room for six people, plus two work areas. All this is in addition to essential services for travellers on the move, starting with WiFi connectivity. Power sockets and USB ports are also provided in the common areas. Wooden furniture creates a friendly atmosphere, complemented by a range of hot drinks and international newspapers.
