Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries Museum

Address: Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

The Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries are a 19th-century glazed shopping arcade in central Brussels, completed in 1847 and designed by Jean-Pierre Cluysenaar. The complex consists of elegant covered passages lined with shops, cafés and cultural venues.

The arcade comprises three parallel galleries beneath a continuous glazed roof, offering a protected pedestrian route filled with chocolatiers, boutiques, cafés and historic shopfronts. Architectural details include ornate ironwork, large glass panels and decorative façades preserved from the mid-19th century.

The galleries also contain cultural venues such as small theatres and cinemas and are a popular stop for tourists moving between the Grand Place and other central attractions. Their combination of commercial activity and preserved 19th-century architecture makes them a frequent destination for both shopping and sightseeing.

Constructed in the mid-1840s and completed in 1847, the galleries were one of the early European covered shopping arcades developed during the 19th century and have been in continuous commercial use since their opening.

Located in central Brussels, the galleries run between major city streets close to the Royal Theatre and the city’s main squares, making them highly accessible on foot from central transport hubs.

• Date and architecture: Built and opened in 1847, the galleries are among the oldest covered shopping arcades in Europe and retain original 19th-century glazing and decorative ironwork.
• Shops and location: Central location between the Place de la Monnaie and the Royal Theatre makes it a convenient pedestrian route linking central Brussels attractions; it also houses chocolatiers, cafés and specialty shops.

What to See#

• The three galleries: Galerie du Roi (King), Galerie de la Reine (Queen) and Galerie du Prince (Prince) are three covered arcades arranged in a straight sequence beneath a glazed roof, each lined with shops and cafés.

The Galleries are located a short walk from the Grand-Place (Grote Markt) in central Brussels. Use central metro stations like Gare Centrale or Parc and follow signs toward the covered arcades.

• Walk the covered galleries slowly and look up at the ornate ceilings and glass roof; many of the best details are above eye level rather than in shopfronts.
• Stop for coffee in one of the cafes that flank the arcade to watch the world parade below - it's a favourite Brussels ritual.