Rue Neuve (New Street), Brussels
New Street in Brussels is a pedestrian lane and reportedly one of, if not the, busiest shopping thoroughfare in all of Belgium. It runs north-south for approximately 600 meters, between Rogier Square and Mint Square, and is frequently referred to as Notre-Dame Street due to the presence of the Notre-Dame du Finist猫re Church in the middle.
Upon its creation in 1617, the street was purely residential. In 1839, it was extended to link with the newly-built North Railway Station, the proximity of which led to the construction of hotels for travelers. After the completion of the South Railway Station and the subsequent opening of South Street, New Street formed an element of the main north-south axis of Brussels.
It has been a center of commercial activity since the late 19th century and was known as a high-end shopping destination in the early 20th century. Among the most famous shops here at the time were the "Leonhard Tietz Department Stores" and especially the "Innovation" department store built in 1901. Sadly, the latter was destroyed by fire in 1967.
In the 20th century, the advent of cinematography led to the proliferation of cinemas and, from the 1920s, New Street became the "cinema" street. In 1932, the largest movie theater in Brussels, "M茅tropole", was built here, adorned with a giant bas-relief by Ossip Zadkine, one of the greatest masters of Cubist sculpture. In the 1980s, the cinema gave way to retail in the area.
Nowadays, New Street is flanked by a multitude of fashion, footwear, and cosmetics stores, along with historic shopping arcades, such as the Northern Passage, and shopping centers like City and Galeria Inno. Clothing and accessories chains like C&A, HEMA, and WE are also here. Additionally, you can find a diverse range of restaurants and fast food outlets catering to various budgets.
Since 1975, the street has been designated as a pedestrian zone, offering safety, although occasional cyclists may pass by, so watch out.
Upon its creation in 1617, the street was purely residential. In 1839, it was extended to link with the newly-built North Railway Station, the proximity of which led to the construction of hotels for travelers. After the completion of the South Railway Station and the subsequent opening of South Street, New Street formed an element of the main north-south axis of Brussels.
It has been a center of commercial activity since the late 19th century and was known as a high-end shopping destination in the early 20th century. Among the most famous shops here at the time were the "Leonhard Tietz Department Stores" and especially the "Innovation" department store built in 1901. Sadly, the latter was destroyed by fire in 1967.
In the 20th century, the advent of cinematography led to the proliferation of cinemas and, from the 1920s, New Street became the "cinema" street. In 1932, the largest movie theater in Brussels, "M茅tropole", was built here, adorned with a giant bas-relief by Ossip Zadkine, one of the greatest masters of Cubist sculpture. In the 1980s, the cinema gave way to retail in the area.
Nowadays, New Street is flanked by a multitude of fashion, footwear, and cosmetics stores, along with historic shopping arcades, such as the Northern Passage, and shopping centers like City and Galeria Inno. Clothing and accessories chains like C&A, HEMA, and WE are also here. Additionally, you can find a diverse range of restaurants and fast food outlets catering to various budgets.
Since 1975, the street has been designated as a pedestrian zone, offering safety, although occasional cyclists may pass by, so watch out.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Brussels. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Rue Neuve (New Street) on Map
Sight Name: Rue Neuve (New Street)
Sight Location: Brussels, Belgium (See walking tours in Brussels)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Brussels, Belgium (See walking tours in Brussels)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Brussels, Belgium
Create Your Own Walk in Brussels
Creating your own self-guided walk in Brussels is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Brussels Historical Churches Walking Tour
As well as being Belgium鈥檚 political and cultural capital, Brussels is the spiritual home of its most significant churches. Historically, the city has been predominantly Roman Catholic, especially since the expulsion of Protestants in the 16th century. The pre-eminent Catholic temple here, located just a couple of minutes from the Grand-Place, is the Brabantine Gothic Cathedral of St. Michael... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Grand Place Walking Tour
World-famous for its imposing Baroque-style buildings, such as the Town Hall, the King's House and the House of Dukes, the Grand Place of Brussels a whole is indisputably a masterpiece of human creative genius, with a special quality of homogeneity and coherency.
The buildings around the Grand Place, all different but built within a very short period, admirably illustrate the Baroque... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.3 Km or 0.2 Miles
The buildings around the Grand Place, all different but built within a very short period, admirably illustrate the Baroque... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.3 Km or 0.2 Miles
Chocolate Tour in Brussels
Belgium is considered one of, if not the, best producer of chocolate in the world. The country's capital, Brussels abounds in opportunities to taste more than 2,000 different varieties of this delectable treat. There is a plethora of chocolate shops in the city which offer chocolates of all imaginable shapes, sizes and colors.
Plan猫te Chocolat鈥檚 chocolate-making demonstration make a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Plan猫te Chocolat鈥檚 chocolate-making demonstration make a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Brussels Introduction Walking Tour
Nowadays a major center for international politics, the capital of Belgium, Brussels, is often referred to as the "Crossroads of Europe". Indeed, nestled at the heart of the continent, this city has a history closely linked to that of Western Europe. Repeatedly changing hands between various duchies, empires, republics, and kingdoms, it has evolved from a small rural settlement to an... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Mont Des Arts Cultural Walk
Mont des Arts, meaning "hill of the arts", is one of the most important cultural sites in Brussels. A classic among the city鈥檚 vantage points, it offers a fine city garden and restored showcase of architecture, in addition to several great museums.
Start your journey by traveling towards the old part of the city, where you鈥檒l find the BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts, greatly admired... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Start your journey by traveling towards the old part of the city, where you鈥檒l find the BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts, greatly admired... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Brussels Beer Tour
Belgians are not very prone to boasting, except with things such as chocolate, fries and, evidently, beer. They treat beer the way the French treat wine: for the makers, it's a prized art; for the drinkers, it is something to be savored and discussed. They say that, on average, Belgians drink 150 liters of beer per year per person, and one would often see them sipping it from early in the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Belgian Beer Tour of Brussels
Belgium is world-renowned for its beers and Brussels is the best city to sample the huge variety of flavors. We'll show you the best places to buy them and to drink them. We'll even show you a family brewery where the liquid gold is produced right in front of your eyes! This tour is meant...
What to Buy in Brussels: 14 Ideas for Travelers
It's no secret that Brussels is not all about JCVD muscles and EU headquarters. Small country as such, Belgium abounds in signature items, such as beer, chocolates and... the peeing boy. All of these have made prime Belgian souvenirs for years. Now you can explore the Brussels gift scene in...