Bienvenue à Bruxelles!

Posted by Nessa Kenny

Brussels, a city of just over a million people, is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union. The city is our home base for the trip, and we will be there from the 15^th to the 21^st of February, save a day in The Hague and a day in Bruges.

Brussels is primarily a French-speaking city, with French and Dutch as official languages. Founded in the 10^th century, the city is vibrant. Its history is reflected in the picturesque architecture, boulevards, and monuments that can be seen at every turn. La Grande Place, the town square, is the heart of Brussels, and is surrounded by beautiful medieval guild houses. The city is home to some 80 museums, including the Royal Museum of Fine Art. Brussels has been home to many eminent people, such as Karl Marx, Victor Hugo, and Alexandre Dumas, all who resided in the city while politically exiled from their home nations. Brussels was also the home city of Hergé, the author of The Adventures of Tintin!

La Grande Place

Since World War Two, Brussels has been an important element of the international landscape, as it is the administrative centre for many organizations. Thus, Brussels is the perfect city in which to study global governance. During our visit we will be visiting the European Union which established many institutions in Brussels in 1958 and has subsequently expanded its presence in the city. EU institutions located in Brussels include the European Commission, a seat of the European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union. We will also be visiting NATO, which established its presence in Brussels in 1967. Please see the posts regarding each body for more information. All in all, Brussels is truly a magnificent city, perfectly fitting to be our home base for this trip.