Place du Grand Sablon and Notre-Dame du Sablon

Place du Grand Sablon is a sloping square in the Sablon district of central Brussels, long associated with antique dealers, galleries and fine chocolate. Cafés with terraces line the upper side, and chocolatiers such as Wittamer and Pierre Marcolini have shops around the edges, making it a popular stop for sweet-toothed visitors. Dominating one side is the Gothic church of Notre-Dame du Sablon, built in the 15th century with a tall nave, flying buttresses and 19th-century stained glass that glows in afternoon light. Entry to the church is usually free, and visitors can look at its carved details and quiet interior in around fifteen minutes. A small fountain and a statue mark the square's centre, and just across Rue de la Régence, the Petit Sablon garden offers a tranquil green space with statues of historical figures. On Saturdays from 09:00 to 18:00 and on Sundays from 09:00 to 14:00, an antiques market fills the square with stalls selling furniture, jewellery, prints and curiosities; this is the busiest time, and the best period for browsing. A typical visit takes about an hour, with extra time for café stops or gallery browsing. Weekday visits are calmer, with fewer crowds and easier seating, and early evening has a relaxed feel as shops close. The square is a ten-minute walk from Gare Centrale and is served by tram lines 92, 93 and 94 to Petit Sablon. It sits close to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts and the Palace of Justice, making it simple to include in a walking route through the Upper Town.