Art & History Museum
Brussels
0.40 Km 00:01
Royal Museum of the Armed Forces & Military History (War Heritage Institute)
The Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History is an ideal visit for those who wish to understand conflicts differently, through objects, stories and human destinies. A powerful, impressive and accessible place to discover with family, as a couple or solo, for a deep immersion in memory and history, in the heart of Brussels.
- Monday : Closed
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- Wednesday : -
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Information
Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History – A thousand years of history and memory in the heart of Brussels
The Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History impresses from the very first glance. Located in the majestic setting of Cinquantenaire Park in the heart of Brussels, it invites visitors to dive into more than 1,000 years of military history, from medieval weapons and armour to some of the most iconic fighter aircraft. Many people walk past its grand arcades without entering—but those who do often leave deeply impressed.
Here, history is not limited to battles and dates. It unfolds through authentic objects, human stories and spectacular spaces. The visit moves between wonder, reflection and discovery, in a place that is both monumental and emotionally powerful.
From medieval armour to the world wars
The journey begins with the early centuries, featuring a remarkable collection of medieval weapons and armour. Some pieces rank among the museum’s treasures, including those that once belonged to Charles V and the Dukes of Burgundy. Their craftsmanship, weight and decoration tell stories not only of warfare but also of power and prestige.
The visit continues with an in-depth exploration of the First and Second World Wars. The museum holds a unique collection dedicated to the First World War, bringing together objects from all the countries involved in the conflict. Uniforms, equipment, weapons and historical artefacts help build a broader and more human understanding of the events that shaped the 20th century.
Few visitors leave these galleries untouched. They encourage reflection on the past, its consequences and its echoes in today’s world.
A spectacular aviation hall
One of the highlights of the museum is the impressive Aviation Hall. In this vast, light-filled space, more than one hundred aircraft are displayed—from early flying machines to modern fighter jets such as the famous F-16. The scale of the hall and the diversity of the aircraft fascinate both aviation enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
Some fascinating details make the experience even more memorable: several aircraft arrived at the museum in pieces, dismantled so they could fit through the doors. Some of them have been exhibited here for almost a century, silent witnesses to technological progress and the conflicts of the modern age.
For many visitors, this hall remains one of the most striking parts of the museum thanks to its impressive scale and unique atmosphere.
The Cinquantenaire panorama: history meets the city
The visit can continue to the top of the Cinquantenaire Arcades, accessible from the museum. From there, visitors enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Brussels. The city stretches out in every direction, offering a striking contrast between the modern urban landscape and the historical journey just experienced inside the museum.
The arcades themselves have an interesting story: they were built in just nine months in 1905, replacing a temporary arch that had previously been assembled and dismantled repeatedly. This architectural detail adds yet another layer to the rich history of this remarkable site.
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Maestro
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Reduced mobility visitors
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1,5 Merode
Opening times
Tuesday to Sunday from 9.00 to 17.00 • Closed on Mondays and 1/01, 1/05, 1/11, 25/12.
Price
adults €12 • students and children (6-18): €9 • Free for children (< 6), disabled with carer, veterans and Belgian defence staff • Free for everyone on the 1st Wednesday of the month from 13.00
Tour length
2 hrs
Group
Price (15 / 25 visitors): adults €9 • children and students (6-18): €4
Guided tour €87 per group (max. 25 people) for a weekday visit (€97 on weekends) + admission: €7 per adult / €3 per youth. Duration: 1h30 Conditions: reservation required at least 3 weeks before the chosen date: reservation@whi.be
More information • Cafeteria and shop.
This is one of the largest military museums in the world. It showcases 10 centuries of history, with no fewer than 130 aircraft from every era. An impressive collection of military uniforms from medieval times to the present day. An exhibition on the two great world wars. In short, the Royal Museum of the Army and Military History has everything to charm young and old alike. The train will be just the thing to take you to the Parc du Cinquantenaire!
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Enjoy this historic train trip at a royal price: buy your tickets for the Musée de l'Armée and get a 50% discount with the Discovery Ticket!
Buy your e-ticket at https://militarymuseum.be/fr and add a free Discovery Ticket voucher to your shopping basket.
Look out for the Discovery Ticket code on your Musée de l'Armée e-ticket: it's a 16-character code.
Order your Discovery Ticket here.
Print your Discovery Ticket or show the PDF on your smartphone screen when you check in on the train.
Enjoy your trip to the Musée de l'Armée!
Take advantage of the Discovery Ticket offer!
Weather in Brussels
Events
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Price
Etudiants: 5,00 € - Normal: 8,00 €
Once again this year, the Military Museum is taking part in the Brussels Museum Nocturnes. From medieval armour to fighter planes, come and discover our rich collections that will take you from the Middle Ages to the Second World War. And for this evening event, we are opening the doors to secret places!
Join us on the evening of 9 April for an exceptional programme:
x. BEHIND THE SCENES
How tempting is it to gain access to areas usually closed to the public? Join the Military Museum for a special nocturne and explore the workshops and storage facilities, admire the peristyle mosaics up close, meet passionate restorers, discover the secrets behind the collection pieces as told by curators, and leave with a surprising souvenir photo.
Languages: EN, FR, NL
Hours: continuously
x. NOCTURNE EXTRA LATE
At night, the museum takes on a whole new vibe, especially as the collections hold many secrets. Discover them during a unique guided tour by flashlight, then end the night with a breathtaking view of the capital while enjoying a drink.
Please note: bring your own flashlight and wear comfortable walking shoes. This activity is not accessible to people with reduced mobility due to the presence of stairs.
Languages: FR, NL
Hours: 22h
Duration: 1h30
Capacity: NL = 20 people / FR = 40 people
Since its re-emergence on the modern historiographical scene in the 1970s, the Army of Flanders has become one of the case studies at the heart of (among others) the scholarly debates on the early modern ‘Military Revolution’ and on the rise of the European fiscal-military state. However, the very nature of the Army of Flanders as a multinational expeditionary and occupation force has kept it on the fringes of the national historiographical traditions (Spanish, Flemish and Walloon, Italian, British, Irish, French, etc.) that now speak for the naciones that once constituted it. This has led to the Army of Flanders being studied (if at all) as the sum of its parts, rather than as an organic whole that could be said to have been the first 'European army'.
The aim of this workshop is to begin the process of reassessing and redefining the place of the Army of Flanders within the framework of modern scholarship by bringing together various experts, gathering scattered documentation, identifying new research sites, methodologies and tools needed to realise its full scientific and public potential.
Feel like joining in?
Register by email at info@warheritage.be!
