Brussels in the '50s - vidéo - The Louise area in the fifties.

On Avenue Louise and in "Le Goulet" (the bottleneck), Fans of good coffee will love Nespresso, which houses the complete range of machines and a selection of coffees from around the world. Opposite, you will find Bouvy, a Belgian institution offering many international and Belgian labels, in it’s various men, women and sportwear sections.
Next to, the unmissable brussels flagship store Zara, brings together all of its collections. Having the munchies ? On Rue Jourdan you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a restaurant ! This being said, do try the Piccolo Mondo, renowned for its excellent italian cuisine.

On Rue de Joncker lies a new boutique hotel in a house dating from the start of the 20th century.  Vintage Hotel has 26 rooms, each one decorated with furnishings, objects and wall paper from the Golden Sixties. It has a modern feel, and all comforts have been thought of to cater to todays traveller.

Rue Jean Stas, a pleasant pedestrian road, is the ideal place for a short halt. You have the choice between the terraces of Mamy Louise and the unmissable La Crèmerie de la Vache, who proposes and offers delicious pastries as well as a large selection of “Mariage Frères” teas. Should you need a little something to read while sipping your tea, the Librairie de Rome displays an impressive choice of international press, as well as the latest best-sellers. Further down, the true "bobo" dream, Dille & Kamille, offers a vast array of kitchen tools, organic potted herbs, heirloom linens and wooden toys for children. Opposite is Yves Dooms’s fashion salon, who dresses the rather upscale clientele of the country.

On Avenue Louise, tucked away the back of a "passage" , The Greenhouse welcomes you for lunch and tea time, in a small and peaceful garden, sheltered from traffic. Beside it, and if necessary, the team of pharmacists at the Rousseau pharmacy are always willing to give and offer any health related advice or information. Opposite, you will come accross a pure and white space where Mer du Nord displays all of its women and children collections. Just next to it, the boutique of belgian ready-to-wear Bruphils.

On Place Stephanie, turn right. The shoemaker Robert Clergerie on Chaussée de Charleroi, always maintains a hip and trendy status. A period house and two of its floors are the setting for the Belgian designer Bellerose and its casualwear collection. At number 9, the first retail outlet for Mac, supermodels’ favorite make-up line! Next door you will find Exki: fast food with an organic edge, serving only fresh and natural products, to be eaten on the spot, or for take-away. The Palais des Thés will make you discover teas from all around the world. A little detour Rue de la Source. At number 72, the restaurant of the great Japanese chef Inada will delight even the most fussiest gourmets. 

At Place Loix, the Pantone Hôtel will please art and design lovers no end, what with their low room prices and its ideal location only steps away from the centre. Nearby, back along Chaussée de Waterloo, stop by Eatcetera for light and delicious cuisine in the tranquility of their garden.

Further up, at number 110, take some time out to rest at the Manos Premier Brussels: the most secretive boutique hotel in Brussels, invites you for a moment of relaxation: everything is pleasurable !. Its lounge-bar, its Kolya restaurant and its splendid garden will have you coming back for more. Visit Galerie Pascal Polar and appreciate her selection of modern contemporary painters and talented photographers. Just opposite is the workshop and boutique of the chocolate maker Zaabar, he shall make you discover and taste his numerous different chocolate varieties. On number 92, discover Mmmmh, shall share with you, its creator’s passion for table pleasures. A place dedicated to cooking, books, tools and savoury products from all over the planet.  Sign up for one of their cooking classes, it's an experience you will never forget. For a business trip, consider the Hôtel Manos Stéphanie: its business centre will make it so much easier for you to organise meetings.

Back to Place Stephanie. At the entrance of the (Conrad Hotel) Wiltcher’s Place, Buss-Jadoul, a big traditional house, offers a meticulous and eclectic range of decorative objects and tableware, as well as Lalique jewels. Two steps away, to enhance your bathroom, Vanden Bergh assembles creations from the biggest names in bathroom design.

On Avenue Louise, the magnificent Conrad Brussels Hotel attracts the rich and famous. In its lounge-bar, Loui, one can easily bump into Brussels’ glitterati. At lunchtime, Le Café Wiltcher's offers one of the best buffet lunches around. From its terrace, you will have a fantastic view of Wiltcher's Place, which is transforms itself into a skating rink during winter, and into a sunny beach in summer.
Around the patio are several luxurious boutiques. Passionate about exceptional watches, dive into the fascinating wolrd of top of the range watches. Hall of Time showases the most prestigious collections of watches, all with a subtle compromise between luxury and modern. Tempting you next door are Pierre Marcolini's chocolates will make you succomb: they are just as beautiful as they are delicious !  Beside it is a sophisticated space for the jeweller Holemans, who offers his exclusive creations as well as unique pieces of jewellery from his artist friends, including Albane Courtière.  Next door, check out the Luisa boutique with a selection of accessories by great designers. The Young Gallery is worth visiting for its intriguing exhibitions. Need to unwind? The Aspria health and beauty private centre offers an oasis of peace and tranquillity set around a beautiful pool. On the way out, revisit your childhood with both modern and traditional toys at Serneels, which has been attracting the young, and young at heart, for several generations now. On 83, stop off at Fahrenheit, which has everything to create your dream kitchen, from professional equipment to cooking classes.
On the other side of Place Stephanie, at the corner of Rue de Stassart, you’ll find the two Tea & Eat spaces : a pleasant tea-room and a gourmet shop with a fine selection of quality products, including the fabulous chocolates by Laurent Gerbaud. On the corner of Rue du Prince Royal, give in to the luxury of wonderful massages in relaxing surroundings at the Serendip Spa to soothe away your shopping stress. For sportsmen and adventurers of all kinds, Entre Terre et Ciel's motto is "an equipment for each passion". On Avenue Louise, the boutique Louise Fifty Four dresses the most elegant women of Brussels with its exclusive selection from international designers, such as Chloe, Marc Jacobs, Lanvin, Marni, Missoni … A little further on, Francis Ferent is an immense and original concept shop: the best in terms of international fashion, decoration, accessories and a trendy book section. The Essentiel Lifestore : 600m2 dedicated to fashion, beauty, home deco and culture, with women's wear, men's wear, children's wear and accesories, as well as a selection of exclusive beauty products, hip CDs, books and design objects. A few baby steps away, Noukie’s famous clothes and toys will entice mothers and kids alike.
At number 72, the Olivier Strelli boutique presents his latest designs and accessories for men and women on three levels. On the first floor of the building, the Espace Gabriel Brachot, a contemporary art gallery, exhibits the work of upcoming talents. For the well-behaved children, Bonpoint proposes its exclusive collections for good little boys and girls. A beautifully renovated period house is the perfect setting for the gorgeous Chine Belgian Design. A little further on, you’ll find the new flagship store for the Sarah Pacini designer label, a beautiful yet simple coordinate collections which appeal to women with a timeless sense of elegance. On the corner of Rue de la Longue Haie, let your nose guide you to the sophisticated scents emanating from Senteurs d’ailleurs, a unique boutique in Brussels dedicated to designer perfumes. Beside it, No Concept, a designed place proposing exclusive fashion pieces as well as accessories from Ernest, Bérénice, American Vintage...,for the up-town part of the city. In a pure white space, Isabelle Baines presents her range of refined knitwear, as well as pieces from her favourite designers such as Sofie  D'Hoore. On the corner, a triangular shaped building serves as the luminous space for the boutique Les Précieuses, where the designer Pili Collado creates jewellery that is in demand all over the world, as well as her exclusive collection of accessories. Further on, a relaxing and pure space for Les Ateliers de la Maille, which offers clothing creations created with natural and ecological fibers ; bamboo, silk, cachemire ...   Cross-over and visit the creative universe of Jean Paul Barriol, who presents and displays his entire collections of shoes, accessories and prêt-à-porter. A slightly bit hungry ? The bakery and common-table place Le Pain Quoitidien offers its range of natural and healthy products, to be eaten on the spot or for take-away. At No 158, Edouard Vermeulen and his fashion rooms, highlight Natan Couture’s read-to-wear collections. Not far off is thewhitehôtel, a new design-hotel concept at reasonable prices, with each room decorated by talented Belgian designers such as Xavier Lust and Charles Kaisin.  Want to grab a bite to eat? In an actual setting, Rouge Tomate offers its natural yet sophisticated cuisine, and enjoys the presence of one of the city’s most pleasant gardens. A bit further on, the delicatessen and restaurant l’Atelier de la Truffe Noire is the perfect spot for fans of truffles. Opposite is Tinok, a colourful shop dedicated to small toddlers, furniture, toys and accessories. At number 294, the immaculate Balthazar boutique holds forth its masculine and feminine clothing line. Exclusively displayed are Paul Smith’s accessories and collections.

On the corner of Rue de Belle Vue, treat yourself to an hour of fun at Float away, a unique relaxation experience of floating in salt water tubs. You will leave with a wonderful feeling of total well being and calm. Opposite, find the restaurant  La Table de l'Abbaye serves up sophisticated dishes and behind, at the end of a splendid garden, La Suite, a charming lounge bar, is the perfect place for an aperitif or to grab a quick bite.  Avenue Louise, at No 404, the poetic florist Thierry Boutemy will show you his passion for flowers. At night, La Meilleure Jeunesse is the ideal place to work your magic on a new girlfriend : a delightful terrasse, candles and discretion.

On the other side of the avenue, at No 381, in a decor signed Jacques Garcia, the lounge bar in the Warwick Barsey Hotel welcomes you and your friends for drinks. For 20 years now, the Maison Degand town house, at No 415, has been the place for classy guys to find a unique style, with three boutique areas: tailor, casual and business. La Porte des Indes is the ideal place to enjoy the flavours of traditional Indian cuisine in an authentic decor, straight out of a Maharajah palace... Opposite is the Tribeca Kitchen & Bar, housed in a manor with its grandiose decor on two levels : a restaurant on the ground floor and a lounge bar on the first floor. If you are looking for an oasis in the heart of the city, take the time to discover the relaxing gardens at l'Abbaye de La Cambre, which are the setting for the renowned Ecole de La Cambre. Not far off, at the foot of the imposing IT Tower, relax on the terrace of the delightful Callens Café, before heading towards the Bois de la Cambre. In the heart of Bois de la Cambre, at 3 rue de Flore, The Wood, an old hunting lodge, has been modernised and transformed to satisfy the trendy restaurant-bar loving crowd. The food is simple and tasty made with products from the delicatessen Maison Rob. All season long, starting from the terrace, Natagoria offers flora and fauna walks in the forest.