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Rue Charles Buls
Leading off the southern side of Grand Place is Rue Charles Buls. It paves the way to Manneken Pis and, not surprisingly, is lined with lace and trinket shops. At the start of the street, in a small arcaded gallery, you'll find an 1899 gilded Art Nouveau plaque dedicated to the city from its appreciative artists. Next to it is a reclining statue of Everard 't Serclaes, a 14th-century hero who defended the city - rub his gleaming torso for good luck.
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Rue Neuve area
The Église Notre Dame du Finistère is an 18th-century church that sits in vivid contrast to the modern mania around it.
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Stained-Glass Windows
An Art Nouveau gem is concealed on Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains. Go through the black doors at number 36-40 to a small courtyard (this is private property but the owners do not mind if visitors peek inside - the doors are open to weekdays) where two old stained-glass windows are visible. One features a young woman in a white gown standing before a pond, the other a Chinese lady.
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Tour & Taxis complex
The newly revamped Tour & Taxis complex is the first stage of a massive transformation of Brussels' unloved canal quarter. These old warehouses and customs depots, now prime examples of the city's industrial heritage, were built at the start of last century by the Tour et Taxis family, founders of Belgium's postal service. Abandoned in the 1980s, the complex is now being developed into a new waterfront neighbourhood.
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Zinneke
In the old Bruxellois dialect, T zinnekeT means 'a person of mixed origins', which sums up the city's inhabitants to this day. Hence Flemish sculptor Tom Frantzen's statue of a dog with its leg cocked is a proud mongrel, and has inspired the city's most exuberant celebration of Brussels' multifaceted make-up, the Zinneke parade. For the full set of family snaps, stop by to see Manneken Pis and Jeanneke Pis.
