Brussels and the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (en)

Brussels and the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Since 1 July 2010, Belgium has been presiding the Council of the European Union and thus plays an important role in the organisation and stimulation of European activities. More than ever before, this Belgian presidency places Belgium at the heart of Europe.

In concrete terms, the Belgian Presidency organises and directs the meetings of the Council of the European Union. It searches for solutions and compromises between the Member States and with the other EU institutions. Lastly, the Belgian Presidency represents the EU in the areas of foreign policy and security policy.

Welcome to the City of Brussels website

The City of Brussels website allows web surfers to discover the Capital of Europe. Brussels represents more than 1,000 years of culture, history and heritage.

Through its website, Brussels offers information and views of the City to visitors. In this way, a webcam allows you to discover the Brussels Grand-Place, a UNESCO world heritage site, during the day and at night. Another camera offers a unique view of the Place de Brouckère, whilst the last webcam, installed on the Atomium, offers a panoramic view of the Heysel plateau, with the Stade Roi Baudouin.

Virtual visits project visitors into emblematic Brussels landmarks such as the Town Hall, the Atomium, the Petite Rue des Bouchers in the Ilot Sacré, the European Commission buildings, the squares and galleries and the St. Michel and Gudule Cathedral.

Tourists and new arrivals

The website provides special information intended for tourists and, among them, business tourists (for example, participants of congresses, fairs and trade shows). These tourists will thus know how to get to Brussels (airport, train) and how to get around there, especially using public transport. They will find all the contact details for tourist information services (likely to provide advice and city maps), as well as information or links to pages regarding accommodation in Brussels (hotels, especially for young people), tourist attractions (such as the Manneken-Pis fountain statue, a symbol of Brussels), Brussels museums, for example the Musées de la Ville (City Museums), the Musée Magritte and the Belgian Comic Strip Center.

The tourist brochures or brochures regarding heritage and City history are presented on the site or can be downloaded or browsed through online (historical heritage).

The section for new arrivals aims to facilitate their installation in Brussels. This information may concern regulatory provisions (signing the population register) as well as services accessible to future or new Brussels residents (accommodation searches, crèches, schools, signing up for various services, etc.).

Activities on the Brussels agenda

Many activities take place in Brussels. The City website provides information on public, cultural, sporting or leisure activities and on large-scale events.

An agenda (with search engine) makes it possible to choose from among the broad offer of events and presentations, especially during the second half of 2010, with the Ommegang Royal Pageant (a reconstruction of the procession of Emperor Charles V and other historical entertainments), the stage of the Tour de France, Bruxelles les Bains (Brussels Beach), the Foire du Midi (Midi Fair), the Brussels Summer Festival, the Carpet of Flowers on the Grand-Place, the overnight music festival Nuit Blanche (sleepless night), the Brussels Marathon, the Plaisirs d'Hiver (Winter Wonders) and the Christmas market, etc.

The City of Brussels website is accessible in 3 languages: French, Dutch and English.