The story
Welcome to the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, a place where Brussels truly shows off its elegance. As you walk beneath this magnificent glass-and-iron vaulted ceiling, you are treading on history that dates back to 1847. Your guests will almost certainly ask, is this the oldest shopping arcade in the world?
Well, it is certainly one of the oldest in Europe, predating the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan by twenty years. It was designed by the architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaar, who wanted to replace a cluster of narrow, ill-lit alleys with what he called a city within a city. The most common question people have is about the three different names they see: the King’s Gallery, the Queen’s Gallery, and the smaller Gallery of the Princes.
This wasn't just for prestige; it was a clever way to organize the space, with the King and Queen sections separated by the Rue des Bouchers. Notice the motto carved above the entrance: Omnibus Omnia, meaning Everything for Everyone. While it feels like a palace for the elite today, it was originally intended to be a public space where all could seek shelter from the unpredictable Belgian rain.
Now, if you catch a scent of roasting cocoa, your guests will want to know about the chocolate. This is the birthplace of the Belgian praline. In 1857, a pharmacist named Jean Neuhaus opened his shop right here in the Queen’s Gallery.
He used to wrap his bitter medicines in a layer of chocolate to make them more palatable for his customers. It wasn’t until 1912 that his grandson, Jean Neuhaus Junior, had the brilliant idea to replace the medicine with a delicious cream filling, creating the very first praline. As you look up, you might wonder who else has walked these marble floors.
This was the intellectual heart of Brussels. Victor Hugo, the famous French author, lived here in exile and would often spend his afternoons in the bookstores and cafes. If you have a moment, step into the Tropismes bookshop.
It is housed in what used to be a prestigious ballroom, and you can still see the original mirrors and ornate gold leafing on the walls. Whether you are here for the high-end fashion, the historic Cinéma Galeries, or just to admire the Italian Renaissance style architecture, remember that you aren't just in a mall; you are in the living room of Brussels’ golden age. Take a deep breath, enjoy the atmosphere, and let the light from that grand glass roof lead the way.