Brussels in Motion: A Century of Art Deco

In 1925, a world still shell-shocked from the ravages of World War I found renewal in a burgeoning artistic movement: Art Deco. It reflected motion, progress, the future.  Immediately embraced by famed Belgian architect Victor Horta, he laid the foundations for Art Deco in Brussels with his plans for the Centre of Fine Arts (Bozar). This marked the inception of a radically modern approach to architecture and art in the city. Now, as Brussels marks a century of Art Deco style, it’s the perfect time to explore this distinctly walkable city with your own budding artists. 

Begin perhaps, at Hotel Amigo, where in celebration of 100 years of Art Deco, master chocolatiers,  including Marc Ducobu, Pierre Marcolini and rising star Louise Henriques, will take part in the hotel’s unique Bel’Oeuf. From 10 - 21 April, the hotel will transform into a gallery where classic chocolate Easter eggs are reimagined, larger than life, as sculptural art, inspired by Art Deco’s geometric and assertive lines. Chocolate lovers of all ages can enjoy admiring these beautiful creations with all proceeds from their sales supporting the Saint-Pierre Foundation.

Your next stop should be Villa Empain, where its symmetry and clean lines can’t fail to impress young minds. Failing that, the sculptural gardens and oval pergola are the perfect place for hide and seek. A short walk away, Bozar hosts an array of exhibitions and concerts with a dedicated Kids’ Palace featuring tailor-made activities for little ones including family-friendly performances, talks, and special guides for children. 

For a glimpse into daily life in the 1920s and ’30s, visit the Van Buuren Museum. Once home to art patrons David and Alice Van Buuren, it's a perfectly preserved Art Deco gem whose stained-glass windows cast coloured light over elegant rooms. Children can explore the fairytale Heart Garden or try not to get lost in the labyrinth, looking out for sculptures and the seven secret ‘rooms’ along the way.

Next, take to the streets for an open-air lesson in design. Begin at Flagey, Brussels’ dedicated culture house, its ship-like form a testament to an era captivated by movement and modernity. Stay awhile to enjoy a concert or cinematic event from their dedicated Junior programme. From there, make your way to the Basilique Nationale du Sacré-Cœur, one of the largest Art Deco churches in the world, whose copper dome is a landmark of the Brussels skyline. Along the way, stop by the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, where a visit to the original Neuhaus boutique offers a sweet interlude with Belgian pralines. At the basilica’s summit, a lift ride rewards you with a sweeping panorama - rooftops, spires, and endless green stretching as far as the eye can see.

Finally, return to Hotel Amigo, where parents can unwind with a cocktail in Bar Magritte, whose Art Deco-inspired interiors and surreal cocktails are a homage to one of Belgium’s most famous artists, René Magritte. Extend the adventure with a stay in the Tintin Suite, a tribute to another Belgian icon who, although not strictly Art Deco himself, was first created in 1929, at the height of the movement. 

As Art Deco’s centenary unfolds, let Hotel Amigo be your key to the city’s most inspiring spaces, where history, imagination, and design come together for all generations to enjoy.