Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is one of Europe’s most beautiful covered shopping arcades — opened in 1847, beating Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II by 30 years. This 200-metre iron-and-glass passage in the heart of Brussels combines 70+ shops with restaurants, a theatre, 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: 200 metres (656 feet).
- Three sections: Galerie de la Reine, Galerie du Roi, Galerie des Princes.
- Annual visitors: 6 million+.
- Entry: Free; arcade open 24/7 for passage.
- Shop hours: Typically Monday-Saturday 10:00-19:00; some open Sunday.
- Notable firsts: One of Europe’s earliest glazed shopping passages, predating Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (1877) 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. Belgian architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaar proposed a covered passage to compete with Paris’s Galeries de Bois (1786). 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 metres wide, 18 metres high under the glass roof) 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 wrote letters from his Galerie apartment during his Brussels exile (1851-1870). Charlotte Brontë lived in nearby Pensionnat Heger and wrote about the arcade. The arcade housed the world’s first cinema in Belgium (the Pathé Films cinema opened 1896) and hosted innumerable scientific and political demonstrations during its 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. 100+ metres long; densest concentration of luxury chocolatiers and jewelers. Major tenants:
- Neuhaus — Original location where filled praline was invented in 1912.
- Mary Chocolatier — Royal Warrant supplier.
- Godiva — Founded in Brussels 1926.
- Corné Port-Royal — Premium chocolatier.
- Leonidas — Belgian everyday chocolate brand.
- Pierre Marcolini — Belgian artisan chocolate world champion.
- Wittamer — Sablon-based pastry / chocolate.
- Tropismes Bookshop — One of Brussels’ most beautiful bookshops.
- 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:
- Café du Vaudeville — Cinematic café with Belgian-French cuisine.
- Belgian designer boutiques.
- Smaller jewelers and specialty shops.
- Théâtre Royal du Galerie 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
6 major Belgian chocolatiers within the Galeries Royales — the densest concentration in Brussels:
- 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.
- Godiva — €25-€45/250g. Now Turkish-owned but Belgian-born.
- Corné Port-Royal — €30-€50/250g. Premium positioning.
- Leonidas — €15-€25/250g. Belgian everyday.
Other notable shops
- Tropismes Bookshop — One of Brussels’ most beautiful bookshops; 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:
- Café du Vaudeville (Galerie du Roi) — Cinematic Belgian-French café; the Galeries’ most photographed dining spot. €15-€35.
- Mokafé — Coffee, light lunch; €8-€18.
- L’Espérance — Historic Belgian café; sometimes hosts theatre-related events.
- Comme Chez Soi (nearby, just outside) — Brussels’ most famous Belgian fine dining; €100-€300 tasting menus.
- Restaurant De Ultieme Hallucinatie (Saint-Josse, 10 min walk) — Famous Art Nouveau interior.
- Café Belga (nearby on Place Flagey) — 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
Founded 1846 — older than the arcade itself. Hosts French-language plays, operettas, and occasional opera. Tickets €20-€60. 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. €8-€11 per ticket.
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. The arcade is open 24/7 for passage; individual shops follow standard retail schedules.
- Closest metro: Brussels-Central (3 minute walk).
- Best entrance: Rue des Bouchers entrance is most cinematic; the southern entrance near Grand Place is also worth knowing.
- Free Wi-Fi: Available throughout the arcade.
- Accessibility: Step-free entry; lifts and ramps throughout.
- Public toilets: Several within the arcade (€0.50-€1).
- Banks/ATMs: Several within and immediately adjacent.
- Souvenirs: Belgian chocolate brands cluster here; comparison-shop between Neuhaus, Mary, Marcolini.
- Avoid Sunday closures: Most shops closed Sundays; the arcade itself remains open for through-passage.
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 (5 min walk from 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 or Café du Vaudeville.
- 11:15 — Chocolate comparison shopping — visit 3-4 chocolatiers; compare praline styles.
- 12:30 — Lunch at Café du Vaudeville (€15-€35).
- 14:00 — Tropismes Bookshop (30 min — beautiful interior even if browsing only).
- 14:30 — Manneken Pis (10 min walk, 5 min visit).
- 15:00 — Mont des Arts (10 min walk for 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 — the arcade has held royal status since 1847:
- Named for King Leopold I who 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 | 200 metres |
| Sections | 3 (Reine, Roi, Princes) |
| Annual visitors | 6 million+ |
| Entry | Free |
| Shop hours | Mon-Sat 10:00-19:00 |
| Chocolate brands | 6 major |
| Cafés/restaurants | 5+ |
| Theatre | Yes (Royal Théâtre des Galeries) |
| Cinema | Yes (Cinema Galeries) |
| Closest metro | Brussels-Central (3 min) |
Useful Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert?
One of Europe’s earliest covered shopping arcades — 200 metres of iron-and-glass passage in central Brussels, opened 1847. Houses 70+ shops, restaurants, a theatre, and a cinema.
Is it free to visit the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert?
Yes — entry is free and the arcade is open 24/7 for through-passage. Individual shops follow standard retail hours.
How old are the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert?
Opened in 1847 under King Leopold I — predating Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (1877) by 30 years. Designed by Belgian 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; ongoing home to 6 major Belgian chocolatiers and 70+ shops.
Which chocolatiers are in the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert?
Six major Belgian chocolatiers: Neuhaus (original 1912 location), Mary, Godiva, Corné Port-Royal, Leonidas, and Pierre Marcolini.
What restaurant is best for lunch in the Galeries Royales?
Café du Vaudeville (Galerie du Roi) — cinematic Belgian-French café and the Galeries’ most photographed dining spot. €15-€35.
Final Thoughts
The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert guide essentials — 200 metres of iron-and-glass history, 6 chocolatiers, a 175-year-old theatre, and Brussels’ most photogenic interior. For more on Brussels shopping, see our Brussels shopping guide and Belgian chocolate souvenirs guide.
