Brussels, a long weekend, where to begin?

Back in Touraine after a great stay in Brussels with our generous hosts. Brussels truly has that unique blend of grandeur and charm that can sweep you off your feet the moment you step out onto its streets. The city's style, that mix of ornate Gothic and Baroque architecture, Art Nouveau flourishes (our favourites) and elegant parks, really does hit hard, especially when explored with locals who know the hidden gems beyond the main tourist paths.

We kicked off our weekend by visiting the immersive 'Last Days of Pompeii' on the afternoon of our arrival (Thursday). It's running at Brussels Expo (Terminal 1 / Palais 1, in the Heysel/Heizel area of Laeken), The show is a multi-sensory experience with video projections, soundscapes, fun interactive elements, recreations of the city's streets, gladiator combats and the fateful eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, well worth a visit !

It location also allowed us to get up close to the 'Atomium' another of the city's attractions which is apparently widely regarded as one of the primary symbols of both Brussels and Belgium, though it's not the 'official' one in a formal sense.

Built as the centerpiece and main pavilion for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair, it was (like Paris' Eiffel Tower) originally meant to be temporary but became a permanent landmark due to its popularity. Representing an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times (not strictly an atom, despite the name), it symbolizes scientific progress, innovation, and Belgian engineering prowess from that era.

On Friday we headed out to explore some of the city's other delights, starting with 'Autoworld' which is located inside the southern hall of the massive Cinquantenaire Palace in historic park of the same name.

 

Autoworld houses an incredible permanent collection of over 300 vehicles (cars, motorcycles, trucks, fire engines, and more), spanning from the late 19th century (as early as 1896 models) right up to modern icons and concept cars. Highlights include rare Belgian marques (like Minerva, FN, Imperia, and Excelsior), royal family limousines, sports cars, bubble cars and themed sections on public service vehicles or eco innovations. The setting under the hall's soaring vaults and glass roof adds a dramatic, almost palatial feel to browsing these gleaming classics.

Loved the removable back part of the 'convertible' Minerva to turn it into, wonder if they provided a crane?

Loved this very early 'camper van'.

More 'modern' version.

Who knew? The 'Jamais Contente' (above) was an electric vehicle and the first motor car to break the 100 km/h speed barrier. On April 29, 1899, it reached this milestone thanks to its advanced design and powerful electric motors.

Built with a lightweight alloy body and shaped like a torpedo on wheels, the car was engineered purely for speed. Its streamlined form reduced air resistance at a time when most vehicles still resembled horse-drawn carriages.

Driven by Belgian racing driver Camille Jenatzy, La Jamais Contente demonstrated that electric propulsion was already capable of extreme performance at the very beginning of automotive history.

Also loved the Aztec sports car (above) which appeared  to have two steering wheels but no...check out here:

More sports cars.

We caught the major temporary exhibition 'Mercedes - The Story of the Star' in full swing. It celebrates140 years of Mercedes-Benz plus the 100th anniversary of the Daimler-Benz merger, featuring over 50 iconic and rare vehicles, from the pioneering 1886 Benz three-wheeler to high-performance moderns like the AMG ONE.

My favourite, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W198) 'Gullwing' often hailed as the most iconic postwar Mercedes precisely because it combined cutting-edge engineering, racing heritage, rarity (only about 1,400 Gullwing coupés built), and timeless beauty, earning spots in 'greatest cars ever' lists worldwide.Produced from 1954 to 1957 this car shown above is the same age as me but its body is in so much better condition!

A view from the upper walkway.