Belgian Comic Strip Center

The Belgian Comic Strip Center, at Rue des Sables 20 in central Brussels, Belgium, is a museum devoted to the ninth art and to Belgium's role in it. It occupies the former Waucquez department store, an Art Nouveau building designed by Victor Horta in 1906, whose iron-and-glass hall and staircase are an attraction in their own right. Permanent displays follow the history of Belgian comics through original plates, sketches and models, with sections on Tintin and Hergé, Spirou, Lucky Luke, the Smurfs, Gaston and other characters, plus rooms explaining how a comic is made from script to printing. A life-size rocket from Tintin's lunar adventure and re-created sets add visual interest. Temporary exhibitions highlight current artists. There is a library and a museum shop, and a brasserie on the ground floor. Visitors usually spend about two hours, longer for dedicated fans. Admission is about 14 euros for adults, with reduced rates for youth, and the museum opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. Weekday afternoons are quieter than weekends and school holidays. Outside the building, the Comic Book Route, a walking trail with more than 60 comic murals across the city centre, can be followed with a map from the museum or the tourist office. The museum is a six-minute walk from Rogier on Metro 2/6, and the Botanique and Brussels Central areas are close by. Information is available in French, Dutch and English.