Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is one of Europe’s most beautiful covered shopping arcades — opened in 1847, twenty years before Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This iron-and-glass passage, about 200 metres long, in the heart of Brussels combines around seventy shops with restaurants, theatres, a cinema, and architecture that’s a destination in itself. This Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert guide for 2026 covers everything: history, what’s inside, opening hours, photography tips, and how to combine with neighbouring Brussels sights.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert Guide: Quick Facts
- Opened: 1847, designed by Jean-Pierre Cluysenaar under King Leopold I.
- Length: 213 metres (about 699 feet).
- Three sections: Galerie de la Reine, Galerie du Roi, Galerie des Princes.
- Annual visitors: about 6 million.
- Entry: Free to walk through; for access times, see the Galeries’ access page.
- Shop hours: Vary from shop to shop; some open on Sunday.
- Notable firsts: One of Europe’s earliest glazed shopping passages, predating Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (1867) and Saint Petersburg’s Passage.
- Famous tenant: Neuhaus invented the filled praline here in 1912.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert Guide: History
In the 1830s, Brussels was a growing city without elegant shopping infrastructure. Architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaar proposed a covered passage as part of a rehabilitation of the neighbourhood. The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert opened on 20 June 1847, with King Leopold I attending the inauguration. The arcade radically innovated in two ways: monumental proportions (8.3 metres wide) and three-level elevation — never before had such a long and high covered passage been achieved.
The arcade became Brussels’ most fashionable address overnight. Victor Hugo was a regular of the literary circle that gathered in the galleries. Charlotte Brontë lived in nearby Pensionnat Heger and wrote about the arcade. On 1 March 1896 the arcade hosted a screening of the Lumière brothers’ moving pictures, and the Cinéma des Galeries opened here in 1939. The galleries also hosted innumerable scientific and political demonstrations during their early decades.
In 1912, Jean Neuhaus Jr. invented the filled chocolate praline at his family’s Galerie de la Reine shop — the most famous Belgian culinary invention. The Galeries remained Brussels’ premier shopping address through the 20th century and remain so today.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert Guide: The Three Sections
Galerie de la Reine (Queen’s Gallery)
The most famous section. More than 100 metres long, with chocolatiers, jewelers and luxury shops. Major tenants:
- Neuhaus — Original location where filled praline was invented in 1912.
- Mary Chocolatier — Royal Warrant supplier.
- Corné Port-Royal — Premium chocolatier.
- Leonidas — Belgian everyday chocolate brand.
- Pierre Marcolini — Belgian artisan chocolate world champion.
- Wittamer — Sablon-based pastry / chocolate.
- Tropismes Bookshop — General bookshop with a striking interior, at 11 Galerie des Princes.
- Delvaux — Belgian luxury leather goods.
- Multiple jewelers and specialty boutiques.
Galerie du Roi (King’s Gallery)
The eastern section. Mix of fashion boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. Notable:
- Belgian designer boutiques.
- Smaller jewelers and specialty shops.
- Théâtre Royal des Galeries entrance.
Galerie des Princes (Princes’ Gallery)
The shortest section, connecting the others. Smaller passage with antique dealers, specialty boutiques, and an entrance to multiple restaurants.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert Guide: Major Shops
Chocolatiers
Major Belgian chocolatiers within the Galeries Royales:
- Neuhaus — €25-€40/250g. Inventor of the praline. The Galerie de la Reine location is the most historically significant.
- Mary Chocolatier — €30-€50/250g. Royal Warrant supplier.
- Pierre Marcolini — €40-€80/250g. Premium artisan, single-origin focus.
- Corné Port-Royal — €30-€50/250g. Premium positioning.
- Leonidas — about €10-€11/250g in its own online shop. Belgian everyday.
Other notable shops
- Tropismes Bookshop — General bookshop in the Galerie des Princes; primarily French-language but with English and Dutch sections.
- Delvaux — Belgian luxury leather goods (1829-present); royal warrant supplier.
- Brüsel Comics — Belgian comics specialist (nearby — just outside the arcade).
- Multiple jewelers — Both luxury and artisan Belgian designers.
- Belgian designer fashion ateliers.
- Antiques and prints shops in the Galerie des Princes section.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert Guide: Restaurants and Cafés
The Galeries Royales house some of central Brussels’ most atmospheric dining spots:
- Mokafé — Coffee, light lunch; €8-€18.
- L’Espérance — Historic Belgian café; sometimes hosts theatre-related events.
- Comme Chez Soi (on Place Rouppe, outside the arcade) — Famous Belgian fine dining; €100-€300 tasting menus.
- Restaurant De Ultieme Hallucinatie (Saint-Josse) — Famous Art Nouveau interior.
- Café Belga (across town on Place Flagey, Ixelles) — Casual breakfast and brunch.
- Multiple smaller cafés within the arcade for coffee and pastry breaks.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert Guide: Theatre and Cinema
Théâtre Royal des Galeries
Opened in 1847, built into the arcade itself. Hosts French-language plays, operettas, and occasional opera. Standard tickets for the 2026–27 season cost €19–€32, with student tickets at €12. Worth visiting for the 19th-century theatre interior even if you don’t see a show.
Cinema Galeries
An independent arthouse cinema in the Galeries. Programs international and Belgian arthouse films. Tickets cost €10.20 full price, €7.80 reduced, €7 for those aged 18 and under and €6.50 for children aged 12 and under.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert Guide: Photography Tips
The Galeries Royales is one of Brussels’ most photogenic interiors. Photography tips:
- Best time of day: Mid-morning (09:30-11:00) — soft natural light through the glass roof; minimal crowds.
- Late afternoon (16:00-18:00): Warm light + reflections on the brass and glass.
- Christmas season: Late November through early January — the arcade is decorated with extensive lights; particularly photogenic at dusk.
- Look up. The glass roof and iron-frame ceiling architecture is the arcade’s signature feature.
- Floor reflections: Wet days (frequent in Brussels) create dramatic floor reflections.
- Long-exposure shots: Tripods technically not allowed but small portable tripods work in less-busy moments.
- Best photo position: Stand at the centre of Galerie de la Reine looking north or south for symmetrical composition.
- Avoid: Peak weekend hours (11:00-15:00) — significantly more foot traffic.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert Guide: Practical Visiting Tips
- Entry: Free to walk through; individual shops set their own hours.
- Metro: Gare Centrale (Brussels-Central) or Bourse.
- Best entrance: Rue des Bouchers entrance is most cinematic; the southern entrance near Grand Place is also worth knowing.
- Accessibility: If you need step-free access, check it with the Galeries or with the shop or venue you plan to visit.
- Public toilets: Paid toilets (about €0.50-€1) are common in central Brussels; a coffee stop in a café is the easy alternative.
- Banks/ATMs: Several within and immediately adjacent.
- Souvenirs: Belgian chocolate brands cluster here; comparison-shop between Neuhaus, Mary, Marcolini.
- Sunday visits: Some shops open on Sundays and others don’t, so check the ones you want before you go.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert Guide: How to Combine With Brussels Sights
The Galeries Royales sits in the heart of central Brussels — combining with nearby sights makes a productive half-day:
- Start: Grand Place (a short walk from the Galeries).
- 10:00 — Walk Grand Place (30 min photos).
- 10:30 — Enter Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert via Rue des Bouchers entrance.
- 10:45 — Coffee at Mokafé.
- 11:15 — Chocolate comparison shopping — visit 3-4 chocolatiers; compare praline styles.
- 12:30 — Lunch in or near the Galeries.
- 14:00 — Tropismes Bookshop (30 min — beautiful interior even if browsing only).
- 14:30 — Manneken Pis, on foot.
- 15:00 — Mont des Arts for the viewpoint.
- 15:30 — Sablon antique walk if Saturday or Sunday.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert Guide: Belgian Royal Connection
The “Royales” in the name is deliberate, though the galleries officially became “royal” only in the 20th century:
- Named for the old Rue Saint-Hubert; the section names (Reine, Roi, Princes) honour the royal family, and King Leopold I attended the 1847 inauguration.
- Royal Warrant suppliers based here include Mary Chocolatier, Delvaux, and several jewelers.
- The Royal Theatre des Galeries received royal patronage; performances continue today.
- Royal Family visits have occurred regularly throughout the arcade’s history.
- The “Galerie des Princes” section is named for the historic princes of the Belgian royal house.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert Guide: Quick Reference
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1847 |
| Length | 213 metres |
| Sections | 3 (Reine, Roi, Princes) |
| Annual visitors | About 6 million |
| Entry | Free |
| Shop hours | Vary by shop |
| Chocolate brands | Several, including Neuhaus, Mary and Leonidas |
| Cafés/restaurants | 5+ |
| Theatre | Yes (Royal Théâtre des Galeries) |
| Cinema | Yes (Cinema Galeries) |
| Metro | Gare Centrale or Bourse |
Related Brussels Guides
Keep planning with these companion guides:
- Brussels Vintage Antique Markets — Jeu de Balle, Sablon & Hidden Gems
Useful Resources
- Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert (official)
- Théâtre Royal des Galeries
- visit.brussels shopping guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert?
One of Europe’s earliest covered shopping arcades — about 200 metres of iron-and-glass passage in central Brussels, opened 1847. Houses around seventy shops, restaurants, theatres, and a cinema.
Is it free to visit the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert?
Yes — entry is free. Check access times on the Galeries’ official site; individual shops set their own hours.
How old are the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert?
Opened in 1847 under King Leopold I — twenty years before Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (1867). Designed by architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaar.
What’s special about the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert?
One of Europe’s earliest glazed shopping passages with revolutionary three-level elevation; site where Jean Neuhaus Jr. invented the filled praline in 1912; still home to several Belgian chocolatiers and around seventy shops.
Which chocolatiers are in the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert?
Belgian chocolatiers in the arcade include Neuhaus (where the filled praline was invented in 1912), Mary, Corné Port-Royal, Leonidas and Pierre Marcolini.
What restaurant is best for lunch in the Galeries Royales?
Several cafés inside the arcade serve coffee and light lunches; the restaurant list above covers the options in and around the Galeries.
Final Thoughts
The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert guide essentials — 213 metres of iron-and-glass history, a cluster of chocolatiers, a theatre in use since 1847, and Brussels’ most photogenic interior. For more on Brussels shopping, see our Brussels shopping guide and Belgian chocolate souvenirs guide.
