2023-05-28 04:55:00
All Belgians go there at least once in their life: the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert in Brussels are celebrating their 175th anniversary.
A true architectural masterpiece, the Galleries offer millions of tourists a showcase of the Belgian way of life in terms of gastronomy and culture. And little above their heads… People live there.
Every morning she goes to the window, she “first look to the right to know the time” Then “to the left to know the weather” through the glass roof of the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert. This is where Véronique Toefart has lived, not without pride, for 25 years. “The weather is always nice, and what is most important is that we are protected by Saint-Christophe de la Grand-Place”, she says.
The Galeries Royales company is the sole owner of the 60 rental apartments in one of the most visited places in the capital. And this place is not only that of residence for Véronique, but indeed a real madeleine of Proust. “My grandmother Madeleine drove me every Wednesday followingnoon to my dance class which was located rue de la Fourche and I passed by the gallery of the Princes and she went to eat her rice tart at the Mokafé (in the gallery of the King, editor’s note)”she recalls.
Despite its 175 years, the Gallery “still has all its charms”, assures Véronique. A “eternal youth”. “It’s majestic and no one can take it away”assures the happy tenant.
And contrary to what the prestige of the place might suggest, the rents remain moderate: 1800 euros per month. The policy of these galleries would indeed be to “build loyalty and ensure that tenants stay for a very long time”says historical chronicler Paul Grosjean.
“The Belgian art of living”
To live here is to respond to the call of history. Inaugurated in 1847 by King Leopold I, the Royal Galleries offer a new aesthetic, architectural and international dimension. This is where the praline was invented, this is where the first cinema was opened in Belgium, Victor Hugo hid his loves there… and this is where around a hundred people still live today, hidden, in the apartments on the floors, while meeting the 6 million tourists who walk there each year.
213 meters long and 18 meters high, the Galleries were at the time of their creation the brightest and most decorated galleries in the world. “Here it’s more the size of a street while the Parisian passages were rather shortcuts through the buildings”continues Paul Grosjean. “So in addition to being monumental, there’s also the fact that these galleries incorporate glass and steel.”
Today, this coveted passage rhymes with Belgium: “the art of living, gastronomy, clothing, chocolate, lace… And it’s not overpriced compared to other galleries like in Milan”concludes Paul Grosjean.
Find the continuation of the Large format Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert in Brussels, a village in the heart of the capital on RTL play
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