Concept

Inspired by the success of the BANAD Festival which takes place every spring, Explore.Brussels is launching a new event in the autumn: the ANTE Festival. Organised over two weekends and during the intervening week, the brand new programme focuses on Brussels’ architectural treasures of the “long 19th century” (from 1780 to 1920) – thus over a century of evolution, transition, division, and technical and stylistic experimentation. An invitation to delve into the many styles in question – from Neoclassicism to Eclecticism – the ANTE Festival sets out to reveal the roots of Modernity and the incredible richness of Brussels-Capital Region buildings.

The programme comprises guided visits of interiors that are normally closed to the public, walking or bike tours on a theme, lectures, visits adapted to people with a disability (Explore +), workshops and activities for schools and families, and visits for people learning French or Dutch as a foreign language or attending literacy classes, etc.

A rare opportunity to (re)discover some of the jewels in the history of architecture, Explore.Brussels invites you on 11 & 12 and 18 & 19 October 2025 to explore the municipalities of Brussels-City, Etterbeek, Forest, Ixelles, Saint-Gilles, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Schaerbeek, Uccle, Watermael-Boitsfort and Woluwe-Saint-Pierre.