Comic Art Museum

Housed in one of Victor Horta’s most striking Art Nouveau masterpieces, the Belgian Comic Strip Center (Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée) serves as the grand cathedral for a national obsession that views the "9th Art" with the same reverence as oil painting.

What to expect

The museum is laid out across four levels, blending architectural drama with narrative intimacy. Upon entering the main hall, you are greeted by the airy, light-filled grandeur of Horta’s iron-and-glass atrium—a spectacle in itself. The permanent collection focuses on the technical evolution of the medium, tracing the lineage from the early Sunday strips to the "clear line" style perfected by Hergé.

You will encounter life-sized statues of iconic characters like Tintin, Snowy, and the Smurfs, as well as original hand-inked plates that reveal the laborious craftsmanship behind world-famous panels. The upper floors house rotating temporary exhibitions; these reflect the contemporary state of European graphic novels, often focusing on experimental layouts or sociopolitical satire. The research library on the top floor is a quiet sanctuary for serious enthusiasts, holding a massive archive of rare editions.

History & significance

Opened in 1989, the museum stands in the former Waucquez department store, designed in 1906. The building’s transition from a textile warehouse to a cultural institution saved a rare Horta gem from demolition. In Belgium, comic art is a pillar of national identity; this space serves as the headquarters for documenting how a small nation became the epicenter of a global medium, bridging the gap between nostalgic children’s literature and sophisticated adult graphic storytelling.

Practical tips

• Operating Hours: Daily from 10:00 to 18:00 (last entry at 17:00).
• Tickets: Adult tickets are approximately €15. Booking online in advance is recommended to skip the lobby ticket queue, especially on rainy Brussels weekends.
• Timing: Visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning to avoid the clusters of school groups that frequent the museum during the week.
• Audio Guide: A digital guide is available; however, the museum is quite visual, so you can easily enjoy it at your own pace without one. Plan for 2 to 3 hours.

Getting there

Located at Rue des Sables 20, the museum is situated in the heart of the Brussels-City district. It is a 10-minute walk from the Gare Centrale train station. If arriving by Metro, take lines 1 or 5 to Gare Centrale or lines 2 or 6 to Rogier and walk south through the pedestrianized boulevards.

Nearby

• Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert: A 10-minute walk away, this 19th-century glass-roofed arcade is perfect for grabbing a luxury praline from Pierre Marcolini after your museum visit.
• The Brussels Comic Book Route: You don't have to stay in the museum to see the art; look for the massive wall murals painted on building facades across the nearby neighborhood, such as the Ric Hochet mural just a few blocks away on Rue de Bon Secours.
• Le Cirio: Located near the Bourse, this historic brasserie serves the traditional "half-en-half" (a mix of white wine and champagne) in an interior that feels like a time capsule of old-world Brussels.