Art Nouveau and Art Deco in the Marolles

The history of the Marolles, this emblematic working-class district of Brussels that extends from the Church of Notre-Dame de la Chapelle to the Porte de Hal, dates back to the 12th century. In the second half of the 19th century, this district was marked by transformations in lifestyles and housing, which are reflected in the urban planning and architecture of its public and social facilities: the layout of the Rue Blaes replaced many unsanitary dead ends. School complexes, social housing, as well as care centers were built on the basis of urban and political projects, combining the aesthetics and moral values of the time. The result is a great variety of styles, witnesses to the evolutions in architecture in Belgium, from the end of the 19th century to the Deuxième Guerre Mondiale. From the Rue Blaes to the Rue des Minimes, this visit invites you to discover the characteristics of Art Nouveau and of the Art Déco in relation to their eras through a workers' city, a hospital, two schools, and an artist's studio.