If you plan to ever visit Belgium and you love 18th century architecture, this renovated palace is a must visit! After years of restorations, it opened his doors a few weeks ago.
This Palace is situated in the middle of the beating heart of Antwerp. J.A. van Susteren, a wealthy merchant built this impressive city palace with a rococo facade in the middle of the 18th century (architect Jan-Pieter van Baurscheit). In the 19th and 20th centuries the building was owned by Napoleon, King Willem I of the Netherlands and the Belgian royal family. The consecutive owners have made considerable renovations and transformations to the building. In 1970 the Palace became the International Cultural Centre’s operating base and after that the Film Museum moved in. At the end of the 20th century the Palace required urgent restoration and had to close.
Erfgoed Vlaanderen (Flanders Heritage) has made it possible to visit the restored Palace again. On the first floor you will be able to visit the museum part of the Palace, dedicated to its former inhabitants.
The Chocolate Line offers chocolate tastings ( typical Belgian) and the Café Impérial serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Hall of Mirrors can cater for receptions, dinners and company events.
The Palace on the Meir is a place to visit, enjoy and taste!
The Palace with its rococo facade.
The inner court of the Palace.
The Palace by night. Beautiful !
And romantic!
Breakfast, lunch or dinner is served on the terrace.
A portrait of Napoleon who owned the castle for a while.
The French Empire style furniture of the palace.
The Hall of Mirrors.
Beautiful wrought iron balustrade.
A rococo chimney and a beautiful painting above the doorway.
A “grisaille of angels”.
It’s all in the detail.
In all of the rooms rococo style is represented.
And the following images are of a most interesting room in the Palace !
The Chocolate Line corner, where you can buy our famous Belgian chocolate.
Notice the counter, he is made in the shape of a chocolate bar!
Beautiful restored parquetry floor.
A table for two at Café Impérial.
If you love to read and to see more of the Palais, click here:
http://www.thechocolateline.be
HET PALEIS OP DE MEIR
Meir 50, Antwerp
A wonderful weekend!
All images : here, here , here, here, here, here, here and here.
