Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.
Although the presence of both French and Flemish drives a wedge or two through the capital's cultural landscape, it also delivers some advantages. Both Flemish- and French-language authorities inject funds into the arts scene; one notable combined effort is the annual KunstenFESTIVALdesArts (www.kfda.be), a contemporary arts festival held in May. A glance at the "What's On" section of weekly English-language news magazine the Bulletin reveals the breadth of the offerings in all categories of cultural life.
Guided tours (available in English) of the city's federally funded, early-19th-century opera house unravel a colorful history that precedes the current neoclassical building, which was built belatedly on the orders of Napoléon, who deemed its predecessor too shabby. Unravel the secrets of its workshops behind the scenes, or stick around and catch its busy program of shows and classical concerts.
Sign up for Travel Tips & News
Thank you for your interest!
