Paris1972-Versailles2003

I have come to Belgium and especially Brussels lots of time over the years and it is one of our favorite cities. We took advantage of family on wife’s side that lives near the border and we use it as a jumping spot to go there lots of time, The City is endowed with nice monuments of great historical and architectural value. However, looking for them we end up finding beauties that we have remember for years and many times go back to them. Therefore, let me tell you about the Passage du Nord, a shopping center of old world charm and the recipient of a Neuhaus chocolate store ; one reason to be there, Hope you enjoy the post as I

The Passage du Nord was built in 1881-1882 following the vaulting of the Senne river and the creation of the Boulevards du Centre. This is a shopping mall that connects Bd Adolphe Max to Rue Neuve. It was born at the beginning of Bd Adolphe Max between the Place de Brouckère and the Maison des Chats (House of Cats). Memorable picture taking my parents here, below is me and my Dad (RIP)

In 1865, King Leopold II vowed that Brussels would succeed in getting rid of this cloaca called the Senne before the end of his reign. In October 1865, the municipal council of the city of Brussels adopted a project to remove the secondary arms of the river, to rectify the winding course of its main arm and to vault it between the train station du Midi and the north of the city. This is how the boulevards of the center ,originally named Boulevard du Hainaut, Central, Nord and La Senne and later renamed Boulevard Lemonnier, Anspach, Max and Jacqmain came about. It was in this context that in 1881-1882 a shopping mall called Passage du Nord was designed to connect the Bd du Nord(later Bd Adolphe Max) and Rue Neuve. The Passage du Nord continues the tradition of covered shopping streets established in Brussels in the 19C.

As said , we mainly came looking for it as we saw in a brochure the chocolatier Neuhaus , who is one of the best in the world and in Belgium for more than 160 years. We were not disappointed lol! We love chocolates to die for them! And we agree the best are the Belgians. Sadly, the store at this shopping center has closed but they are all over Brussels, will leave their webpage go seek them out !

The official Passage du Nord shopping center : http://www.passagedunord.be/index.php/fr/en

The Brussels Heritage site on the Passage du Nord : https://patrimoine.brussels/news/passage-du-nord

The official Neuhaus chocolates in Brussels : https://www.neuhauschocolates.com/en_BE/stores

There you go folks, a memorable building that I was lucky enough to find it and come back with the family as well. It will be memories forever for us in Brussels, Again, hope you enjoy the post on the passage du nord as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!