Brussels is the world capital of comic strips — Hergé invented Tintin here, Peyo created the Smurfs, and dozens of other Belgian comic legends shaped 20th-century European graphic storytelling. The Belgian Comic Strip Centre (Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée), housed in a 1906 Victor Horta Art Nouveau building, tells the complete story across 4,000 square metres of permanent and rotating exhibitions. This Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels guide for 2026 covers tickets, what to see, the surrounding mural trail, and how to plan a perfect visit.
Why Visit the Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels?
Belgium punches above its weight in comics culture. Hergé (Georges Remi) created Tintin in 1929 and shaped the “ligne claire” (clear line) drawing style that defined European comics for decades. Peyo (Pierre Culliford) invented the Smurfs in 1958. Morris created Lucky Luke. Franquin gave the world Gaston Lagaffe and the Marsupilami. Plus dozens of others. The Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels essentials cover all of them, plus the broader European comics tradition.
The Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels is also notable for its building — a 1906 Art Nouveau masterpiece by Victor Horta (originally a textile warehouse), beautifully restored as the museum. The architecture itself is reason enough to visit.
Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels: Practical Information
Address
Rue des Sables 20, 1000 Brussels.
Opening Hours
Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry 5:00 PM). Closed Mondays.
Tickets
Adult: €14. Student/Young (12-25): €11. Child (6-11): €6. Under 6: Free.
How to Get There
Metro: Botanique (Lines 2, 6) — 7 minutes’ walk.
Walking from Grand Place: 8-10 minutes north via Rue des Sables.
Train: Brussels-Central (5 minutes’ walk) or Brussels-Congress (3 minutes).
What to See at the Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels
1. The Museum of Imagination (Permanent Exhibition)
The chronological history of Belgian comics on the second floor. Starts with the pioneers (1920s-1929 with Hergé), continues through the golden age (1929-1958), and into the modern era. Strong focus on the legendary magazines Spirou and Tintin that nurtured generations of Belgian comic artists.
2. Hergé and Tintin Section
Original artwork, sketches, mock-ups, and scripts from Hergé’s Tintin universe. Highlights include early “Tintin in the Land of the Soviets” pages and the meticulous research drawings for “Destination Moon” (1953-1954).
3. Peyo and the Smurfs Section
The Smurfs began as a side joke in a Peyo comic but exploded into a global franchise. The exhibit traces the development from 1958 onward.
4. Franquin, Morris, and the Spirou School
The Spirou magazine school of artists — Franquin (Gaston Lagaffe, the Marsupilami, Spirou et Fantasio), Morris (Lucky Luke), Jijé, and others. Some of the most influential European comic artists worked together for Spirou in Brussels.
5. Temporary Exhibitions
The museum’s lower floor hosts rotating temporary exhibitions on specific artists, themes, or comic genres. Check the current programme.
6. The Comic Strip Library
The on-site library houses 60,000+ comic books and graphic novels — one of Europe’s largest dedicated comics collections. Free to browse during your visit.
7. The Horta Building
The 1906 Art Nouveau building itself is part of the experience. Watch for the original Horta details — staircase ironwork, mosaic floors, and high ceilings designed for textile warehouse use that beautifully suit the museum format.
8. Restaurant Hergé
The on-site brasserie named for Tintin’s creator, with Tintin-themed décor.
9. The Museum Shop
Comprehensive selection of Belgian comics in multiple languages, plus Tintin and Smurfs merchandise.
Beyond the Museum: The Brussels Comic Strip Trail
Brussels has dozens of giant comic-strip murals painted on building walls across the historic centre. Together they form an official walking trail. The Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels visit pairs naturally with a 2-3 hour mural-trail walk after the museum. Highlights:
- Tintin and Snowy: Multiple Tintin murals throughout the Pentagon.
- Lucky Luke: Several Morris-related murals.
- The Smurfs: A few Peyo-themed murals.
- Modern Belgian comic artists: Murals continually added; the trail has 50+ pieces total.
Pick up the official Comic Strip Trail map at any tourist office or download from parcoursbd.brussels.
Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels: Sample 2-Hour Itinerary
10:00 AM: Walk from Grand Place (8 minutes).
10:10 AM: Arrive at the Belgian Comic Strip Centre.
10:15 AM: Tour the Museum of Imagination (Hergé, Peyo, Spirou school) — 90 minutes.
11:45 AM: Visit current temporary exhibition — 30 minutes.
12:15 PM: Browse the Comic Strip Library — 15 minutes.
12:30 PM: Lunch at Restaurant Hergé.
14:00 PM: Optional: walk the Comic Strip Mural Trail in the Pentagon (1.5-2 hours).
Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels: Quick Reference
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Rue des Sables 20, 1000 Brussels |
| Adult ticket | €14 |
| Student | €11 |
| Child (6-11) | €6 |
| Under 6 | Free |
| Hours | Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00 (last entry 17:00) |
| Closest metro | Botanique (Lines 2, 6) |
| Walk from Grand Place | 8-10 minutes |
| Building | 1906 Victor Horta Art Nouveau |
| Time needed | 2 hours minimum |
Highlights Not to Miss at the Belgian Comic Strip Centre
The Comic Strip Centre’s permanent collection spreads over three floors of Victor Horta’s restored Magasins Waucquez warehouse. These specific exhibits anchor any visit.
- The original Atomium-sized Tintin moon rocket – The red-and-white chequered rocket from Destination Moon, 4 metres tall, in the central atrium. The museum’s most-photographed object.
- The Smurf Village reconstruction – A walk-through diorama of Peyo’s mushroom-house village on the second floor, with audio commentary.
- The original Horta interior – The wrought-iron staircase, glass roof and tiled flooring are themselves a major attraction; pick up the dedicated architecture leaflet at reception.
- The Lucky Luke gallery – Original Morris drawings and the famous EUR 20 banknote watermark commission.
- Spirou et Fantasio archive – Cabinets of original pen-and-ink board pages by Franquin, with magnifier loupes provided.
- The “Reading Cabinet” – A free library on the top floor with 3,000 albums you can pull off shelves and read; couches and good lighting.
- The yearly temporary exhibition – In 2026, the centre is running a major Suske en Wiske retrospective until November; included in the EUR 13 entry.
- The animation cels collection – Original celluloid frames from the 1991 Tintin TV series and 2011 Spielberg film, in vitrine cases between the second and third floors.
Cafe and Shop on Site
The “Brasserie Horta” on the ground floor (under the magnificent glass roof) is one of Brussels’ best museum cafes, accessible without a ticket. Open 12:00-22:00 Tuesday-Sunday, kitchen 12:00-15:00 and 18:00-21:30.
Menu prices: croque-monsieur EUR 11, fish soup EUR 10, mussels-frites EUR 26, three-course lunch EUR 24. Coffee EUR 3.20, Belgian beer flight (4x15cl) EUR 12. The Sunday brunch (EUR 28, 11:00-14:30) is justifiably popular; reserve a week ahead. The architecture alone, with Horta’s original ironwork directly overhead, justifies a coffee stop even without a museum visit.
The shop near the entrance is densely stocked with French and Dutch-language albums (EUR 12-25), a smaller but thoughtful English-language selection (Tintin, Asterix, Lucky Luke), and high-end items: signed limited-edition prints (EUR 80-250), bronze figurines (EUR 95+) and a strong children’s section with stickers, colouring books and EUR 18 starter kits with pens and paper.
Family-Friendly Notes
- Free for under-12s, EUR 10 for 12-25, EUR 13 adult.
- Family treasure-hunt sheet – Free at the desk, ages 6-11, with stamps to collect across the floors.
- Stroller access – Lift to all floors; baby-change in the basement toilets near reception.
- The Reading Cabinet is the secret weapon with kids; an hour of self-directed comic-reading on a couch can rescue a tired afternoon.
- Workshops – Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings, EUR 8 per child, ages 6-12, hands-on drawing with a working comics illustrator. Book ahead online.
- What to skip with kids – The detailed text panels on the history of European comics; head directly to the rocket, then the Smurf Village.
Beyond the Museum: the Brussels Comic Strip Trail in Detail
The city has 60+ large murals painted on building gables, all part of the official Parcours BD launched in 1991. The Comic Strip Centre is the perfect starting point; here are the must-see murals within a 25-minute walk.
- Tintin and Captain Haddock (Rue de l’Etuve 33) – The classic descent from a fire-escape; nine minutes from the museum.
- Le Passage (Brousaille) (Plattesteen 41) – The mural that started the trail in 1991; a couple walking arm-in-arm.
- Asterix and Obelix (Rue de la Buanderie 33) – Newer mural commissioned in 2018.
- Lucky Luke (Rue de la Buanderie 35) – Right next door, perfect photo pairing.
- Boule et Bill (Rue du Chevreuil 32) – The cocker spaniel comic, Place du Jeu de Balle area.
- Manneken Pis Comic Variant (Place du Jardin aux Fleurs) – Frank Pe’s Broussaille; near the Comic Strip Centre.
- Le Jeune Albert (Rue des Alexiens 49) – One of the larger pieces, Yves Chaland’s noir style.
- Spirou (Rue Notre-Dame de Grace 16) – Franquin’s iconic bellboy in mid-flight.
For more on the broader Brussels comic culture see our deep-dive Brussels Comic Strip Culture guide, and combine the museum with the famous Belgians walking tour for the bigger artistic picture.
Related Brussels Guides
Keep planning with these companion guides:
- Magritte Museum Brussels — Visitor Guide & Tickets
Useful Resources for Belgian Comic Strip Centre Visitors
- Belgian Comic Strip Centre — official museum site.
- Brussels Comic Strip Trail — official mural walking trail map.
- Hergé Foundation — official Tintin and Hergé site.
- visit.brussels Comic Strip Trail — official tourism office trail guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels?
The Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels is the museum dedicated to Belgian and European comics, located in a 1906 Victor Horta Art Nouveau building. It houses 4,000 square metres of permanent and temporary exhibitions covering Tintin, the Smurfs, Lucky Luke, and the broader Belgian comics tradition.
How much does the Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels cost?
Adult €14, student €11, child (6-11) €6, free for under-6s.
How long should I plan for the Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels?
2 hours minimum for the main exhibitions and the temporary show. Add 1.5-2 hours for the Brussels Comic Strip Mural Trail through the Pentagon.
Is the Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels suitable for kids?
Yes — though most exhibition labels are in French and Dutch. Younger children (6-11) generally need a parent guide; older kids and teens enjoy the comics-rich setting.
Where is the Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels?
Rue des Sables 20, 1000 Brussels. 8-10 minutes’ walk north of Grand Place. Closest metro: Botanique (Lines 2, 6) — 7 minutes’ walk.
What’s the best time to visit the Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels?
Tuesday-Friday weekday afternoons are quietest. Weekends bring families and Belgian comic fans; allow extra time at popular Tintin and Smurfs sections.
Belgian Comic Strip Centre: Beyond the Permanent Collection
The Belgian Comic Strip Centre rotates excellent temporary exhibitions every 4-6 months alongside its permanent Tintin, Smurfs, Lucky Luke, and Spirou collection. The 2026 calendar typically includes:
- Spring exhibit: Usually a contemporary Belgian artist retrospective.
- Summer exhibit: International cross-over (Japanese manga history; American Marvel/DC archives).
- Autumn exhibit: Themed by genre (sci-fi, romance, satire).
- Winter exhibit: Belgian children’s illustration heritage.
Beyond the main exhibits, the Belgian Comic Strip Centre houses Europe’s largest comics library — 40,000+ titles in 30+ languages, free to browse, available to read in the on-site reading room. The bookshop also stocks rare first editions and signed prints by contemporary Belgian artists.
Belgian Comic Strip Centre: Tips for Maximising the Visit
- Allow 2-3 hours minimum. Devoted comics fans easily spend 4 hours including the library.
- Cafe Horta on-site. The original 1906 Victor Horta cafeteria — Belgian classics in an Art Nouveau setting (€12-€20 lunch).
- Building tour separate. The Magasins Waucquez Horta architecture deserves attention beyond the comics — the iron-glass interior is a museum piece in itself.
- Combine with Comic Strip Mural Trail. The CBBD is 5 minutes walk from the closest Tintin mural (Rue de l’Étuve). Pick up the official trail map at the museum entrance.
- Brussels Card: Free entry. The combined ticket structure pays for the card after 2-3 museums.
- Family workshop programme (Saturday mornings) for kids 6-12. Pre-book online.
Belgian Comic Strip Centre: Visiting Hours and Logistics
The Belgian Comic Strip Centre operates Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-18:00. Last admission 17:15. Plan a 2-3 hour visit; afternoon is generally less crowded than morning.
- Closest metro: Brussels-Central (10 minute walk via Mont des Arts).
- Cloakroom: Free, accepts large bags.
- Photography: Allowed throughout the permanent collection (no flash); temporary exhibits sometimes restrict.
- Lift access: Throughout the Horta building.
- Audio guide: Available in 7 languages; included free in your ticket.
- Bookshop: Open the museum’s hours plus a small selection in the Cafe Horta foyer.
Belgian Comic Strip Centre: Best Combined Day Plan
Most visitors get more out of the Belgian Comic Strip Centre by combining it with one or two nearby Brussels sights for a full half-day cultural plan:
- Morning: Arrive at the Belgian Comic Strip Centre for the 10:00 opening — you’ll have the first hour relatively crowd-free.
- Late morning: Coffee at the on-site café (or at Mont des Arts for nearby museums).
- Lunch: Walk to Pentagon brasserie (Aux Armes de Bruxelles, Chez Léon for Belgian classics, or any Le Pain Quotidien for casual €15-€20 lunch).
- Afternoon: Combine with the closest second museum (Magritte + Royal Fine Arts share a wing; Atomium + Mini-Europe share grounds; Comics Centre + MIM are 10 min apart).
- Late afternoon: Walk through Grand Place at 17:00 for the magic-hour light on the guild houses.
- Evening: Belgian beer at Delirium Café or one of the Pentagon brasseries.
The Brussels Card (€32 24h / €52 72h) covers all major Brussels museums plus public transport — pays for itself with 2-3 museum visits. See our Brussels museums guide for the full institutional list.
Final Thoughts
The Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels offers one of Brussels’ most distinctive museum experiences — comics culture meets Art Nouveau architecture in a perfect Brussels combination. Whether you grew up reading Tintin, discovered the Smurfs through cartoons, or just appreciate graphic storytelling, you’ll find the Belgian Comic Strip Centre Brussels rewards a thoughtful 2-hour visit. Pair with the Comic Strip Mural Trail through the Pentagon for a full day of Brussels comics culture. For more on Brussels’ museums, see our complete Brussels museums guide and Grand Place Brussels guide.
