Musée des Beaux-Arts (Museum of Fine Arts)

This Art Nouveau museum designed by Victor Horta houses the modern art collection of the Brussels patron of the arts Henri Van Cutsem, as well as the only two works by Manet exhibited in Belgium. The paintings and sculptures exhibited at the museum span various centuries, going from works by the Flemish primitives (Campin, de la Pasture, Bruegel…) to contemporary art. The 17th and 18th centuries are represented by Rubens, Jordaens, Snyders, Watteau… The museum also features a collection of impressionist works by Manet, Monet, Seurat and Van Gogh. Special attention is paid to Belgian artists (Ensor, Claus, de Braekeleer…) and to artists from Tournai (Rogier de la Pasture, Gallait, Pion, Dumoulin…).The building itself is certainly worth a visit. It is the only building in Wallonia designed by Victor Horta, and his only museum. Officially opened in 1928, the turtle-shaped museum is topped by glass cupolas, allowing plenty of natural light to enter the building. A large hall dedicated to sculpture (works by Dillens, Charlier, Minne) is surrounded by smaller, more intimate exhibition rooms where numerous paintings can be admired. When leaving the museum you will certainly notice the statue of Louis Gallait by Charlier (1896) adorning the municipal park.