Shopping in Belgium
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Jacques Galler's Chocolate Factory
Jacques Galler's famous (and arguably Liège's most delicate and delicious) chocolate is in all the supermarkets but if you buy from his factory, it's cheaper. Starting out in his father's pastry shop in 1976, Galler's choc-shop took off when he started doing such tasty things with praline that he was given the title of 'Belgian Royal Warrant Holder' in 1994.
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De Vagant Slijterij
After settling on your favourite flavour of jenever in the bar of the same name, head across the street to this slijterij (liquor shop) stocking more than 200 varieties. Its line-up of bottles of all shapes, colours and sizes resemble an old-fashioned pharmacy, reflecting jenever’s original medicinal purpose.
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De Vagant Slijterij
After settling on your favourite flavour of jenever in the bar of the same name, head across the street to this slijterij (liquor shop) stocking more than 200 varieties. Its line-up of bottles of all shapes, colours and sizes resemble an old-fashioned pharmacy, reflecting jenever's original medicinal purpose.
reviewed
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Excellence
One for the cineastes - this has to be one of the best DVD stores in the world, with an enormous selection of art house, independent, classic and foreign films from all over the globe, including works by Belgian filmmakers such as Chantal Ackerman and the Dardenne brothers. Just make sure the subtitles are in your language of choice.
reviewed
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Christa Reniers
The arresting window displays of Christa Reniers, Belgium's best jewellery designer, will singlehandedly lure you into her store. Once inside, you're going to have a hard time deciding between her splendid contemporary jewellery - often crafted with sterling silver into organic forms embellished with gems - and her bold ceramics.
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La Batte
This Sunday morning market stretches along 1.5km (0.9mi) of river quays (the word 'batte' is old Walloon for 'quay'). Locals and tourists alike frequent here for their weekly food shop, bric-a-brac, exotic birds and fishes, farmyard animals, household goods, old books and other fantastic treasures. Haggling is allowed.
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Het Modepaleis
Dries Van Noten is Belgium's commercial fashion leader. His colourful bohemian clothes are sold in more than 500 shops around the world, but buyers love his Antwerp flagship, Het Modepaleis. This headquarters and shop of Dries Van Noten is located in a distinct, 19th-century, domed building in the heart of St Andries.
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Verso
Fantastic location - an old bank building with a gorgeous stained-glass cupola - for this large boutique, which specialises in Italian designers, although there are also a few French names and one Belgian (Dirk Bikkembergs). Women's and men's collections, cosmetics and accessories, plus a hip café.
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Stijl
Brussels’ top fashion showroom not only has labels by Belgian icons like Antwerp Sixers Ann Demeulemeester and Dries Van Noten, but also emerging new designers like Cathy Pill, whose atelier is just around the corner. Climb the wooden staircase at the back to the 1st floor to hunt for end-of-season bargains.
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Sjapoo
Milliner Ria Dewilde's atelier is out the back of her boutique (north of Vrijdagmarkt), where she sells her one-off creations. Many are crafted along 1920s lines for everyday wear, as well as more elaborate hats for weddings and christenings. Ria also sells hand-picked Belgian- and French-design clothing.
reviewed
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Sjapoo
Milliner Ria Dewilde’s atelier is out the back of her boutique (north of Vrijdagmarkt), where she sells her one-off creations. Many are crafted along 1920s lines for everyday wear, as well as more elaborate hats for weddings and christenings. Ria also sells hand-picked Belgian- and French-design clothing.
reviewed
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Vrijdagmarkt
The city's oldest antique flea market has been operating on this square every Friday morning since the 16th century. Everything is sold by auction, with sales going down in fast guttural Flemish. Feel free to throw in an English bid if you see an irresistible antique - the dealers will readily accept it.
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City 2
This modern shopping mall has all the usual chain-store suspects, but it’s a good bet for electronic gear from FNAC, which also sells events tickets. In the mall’s basement you’ll find a post office, and a better-than-average food court – try Ganesh for fantastic Indian samosas, curries and naan breads.
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Inno
Belgium's only home-grown department store has two locations - this one, and one in Ave Louise, Upper Town (ph 02 513 84 94). The ground floor is devoted to perfume and cosmetic counters, with haberdashry and clothing being well-represented on other floors. There's also a hairdresser for a quick trim.
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Chocolatier Van Oost
A small establishment with an excellent reputation for handmade pralines. It's on a hectic shopping street, and is easily overlooked - allow the scent of warm chocolate to lead the way. Once inside, accustom yourself to the rich displays, then note the vats of molten chocolate being stirred out back.
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Christophe Coppens
Coppens’ head-turning creations have a dramatic flair, reflecting the fact that this Flemish milliner originally trained as a theatre designer and actor. This is his main womens’ hat store; ask the helpful staff if you’re looking for his men’s, bridal or racing carnival headwear.
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'T Apostolientje
It's not finding lace that's the problem in Bruges - it's avoiding it. About 80 lace shops operate in the city, many tucked away in nooks and crannies or concentrated along Wollestraat and Breidelstraat. This shop is well away from all of these and stocks about 70% antique lace.
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Del Rey
A top-rate chocolate shop, located on the edge of the diamond district near Centraal Station. A mouth-watering assortment of pralines (filled chocolates), exquisite pastries and biscuits beckon from sumptuous displays. Sampling is done at the neighbouring degustation salon.
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Véronique Branquinho
Véronique Branquinho’s classic tailoring for men and women has confirmed her reputation as one of the new generations of fashion academy graduates to pick up the baton and run with it. Black features heavily in her collections, with occasional splashes of silver and gold.
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Olivier Strelli
Congo-born Strelli is to Belgium what Georgio Armani is to Italy – an internationally renowned designer creating tailored men’s and women’s fashion that transitions seamlessly from the boardroom to cocktail parties and beyond. This light-filled boutique is Strelli’s HQ.
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Grasshopper
This enormous two-storey toy shop has everything a child could possibly covet: from classics such as cuddly bears, kaleidoscopes and colourful old-fashioned wooden toys to challenging educational toys and games that are ideal for keeping them occupied while travelling.
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Martin Margiela
Margiela is often tagged the unofficial seventh member of the Antwerp Six (he graduated from Antwerp’s fashion academy in 1980). Shoes, accessories, men’s and women’s body-skimming fashions in understated colours are artfully arranged in this white-on-white boutique.
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Planète Chocolat
You can catch praline-making demonstrations every Saturday at 4pm (€7) at this experimental chocolate shop famed for its chocolate floral ‘bouquets’ and other innovative shapes. If the weather’s behaving you can sip hot chocolate on the tearoom’s outdoor terrace.
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Nicolas Woit
Vintage fabrics found at flea markets and Barbie dolls from the ‘50s and ‘60s (such as the perma-tanned Hawaiian Barbie on display) are the inspiration for the fashions of this Brussels-born designer, who trained with Issey Miyake and Thierry Mugler in Paris.
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FNAC
FNAC is a French-based retail store selling mainly electronics. It's got computers, televisions, stereos, cameras, books, movies and music. It also has a large selection of travel guides and maps. You can make a reservation for a concert or play here too.
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