European Institutions

European Institutions Review

Brussels residents have an uneasy relationship with the European institutions. The European Union project brought jobs and investments to the city, but in the process entire neighborhoods were razed to make room for unbendingly modern, steel-and-glass buildings, and as more countries join the EU, more massive complexes are being built. What remains of the old blocks has seen an influx of ethnic restaurants catering to the tastes of lower-level Eurocrats; the grandees eat in splendid isolation in their own dining rooms. The landmark, star-shaped Berlaymont (rue de la Loi 200), reopened in 2005 after asbestos removal, is the home of the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU. The European Council of Ministers (rue de la Loi 170) groups representatives of the EU national governments and occupies the pink-marble Justus Lipsius building. The European Parliament building (rue Wiertz 43. 02/284-2111), which got caught up in controversy as France still insists on regular Parliament meetings in Strasbourg, is named Les Caprices des Dieux, or Folly of the Gods. Its central element, a rounded glass summit, looms behind the Gare du Quartier Leopold. Visitors who wish to go to the parliament can call the visitor's service. For individual visitors there's an audio-guided visit Monday-Thursday 10-3 and Friday at 10 am. There is also the chance to attend a parliamentary sitting but it's important to check times as sittings only occur every few months.