Rail Europe

As you approach Bruges by rail, its superb medieval architecture quickly demonstrates why the city is considered one of the cultural capitals of Europe. Its diminutive size makes it an ideal destination to spend a day walking around, or you can delve further into Bruges’ past and present with an overnight stay. The city often dubbed the Venice of the North has museums that offer an eclectic mix of art works, archaeological artifacts, furniture and metalwork spanning centuries. Bruges’ historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with cultural highlights that extend beyond its museums into the streets and along the canals.

Morning

Start your day at the magnificent Gothic façade Gruuthuse Museum, recently re-opened after extensive renovations. The museum presents the city’s rich and diverse history through priceless works including tapestries, musical instruments, wood carvings and medieval furniture. Next, walk down the block to the Welcome Church of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk), home to Michelangelo’s marble statue of the Madonna and Child, thought to be his only sculpture to have left Italy during his lifetime. Across the road from the church, visit Memling in Sint-Jan, a former hospital famous for its collection of paintings by Hans Memling, the great Flemish Primitives master.

Afternoon

It’s only a few minutes walk to the Groeninge Fine Art Museum, which houses an impressive collection of early Flemish and Dutch masters, including several canvases by Jan van Eyck, Hieronymus Bosch, Hans Memling and Jan van Goyen as well as more modern painters like Magritte and Delvaux.

Finish the afternoon off with a tasty cultural treat at the Bruges Chocolate Museum -- Choco-Story. The museum features more than 1,000 authentic artifacts and traces 2500 years of chocolate history. More importantly there is a demonstration center and an opportunity to sample the museum’s own in-house chocolate creations.


Details

Gruuthuse Museum
(Reopening December 1, 2007)
Dijver 17, Bruges
Entrance fees: € 6 / € 5 ($8.60 / $7.15) including ticket to Welcome Church of Our Lady

Memling in Sint-Jan
Mariastraat 38, Bruges
Entrance fees: € 8 / € 6 ($11.40 / $8.60). Children under 13: free

Groeninge Fine Art Museum
Dijver 12, Bruges
Entrance fees: € 8 / € 6 ($11.40 / $8.60). Children under 13: free
Museums in Bruges are closed on Mondays – with the exception of the Bruggemuseum Belfy, City Hall and Liberty of Bruges
Museum hours are standardized – from 9.30am to 5pm
Bruges Museum Combi-5 Pass offers entry to five museums for €15
The Cyclo-3 Pass gives you bicycle rental plus entrance to three museums and a drink for €15. Available at ’t Koffieboontje, Hallenstraat 4 (next to the Belfry)
Quartet Flemisch Primitives Pass includes entry to Church of Our Lady, Groeninge Museum, Memling in Sint-Jan and the Treasury of St. Saviours Cathedral for € 14
Bruges train station is 10 minutes’ walk from the historical city center

Choco-Story Chocolate Museum (www.choco-story.be)
Wijnzakstraat 2 (Sint-Jansplein), Bruges
Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Tickets: € 6 ($8.60), students / seniors: € 5 ($7.15), children (6–12 years): € 4 ($5.70)

Journey Time: 2hr30
Frequency: 2
Departure Station: Paris Nord
Arrival Station: Brugge
Prices From: 88 (Economy) to 402 (Premier / Comfort Flexi)
(prices subject to change)

Uselful Links:

• http://www.choco-story.be

Book this Trip

Back