An ideal visit if you enjoy places that make you think without ever boring you, interactive routes and cultural experiences that speak to memory as much as to emotions, to discover during a stay in Brussels, solo, as a couple or with a curious family.
House of European History, a living journey into our shared memory
Just steps from the European institutions, in the heart of Brussels’ European Quarter, the House of European History surprises visitors from the very first glance. Housed in a beautiful Art Deco building, formerly a 1930s clinic, the museum offers an original and deeply human approach to the history of the continent. Far from clichés, the visit proves to be lively, accessible and often surprising.
Telling Europe’s story differently
Here, the history of Europe is not told through a single perspective, but explored through six major themes that structure the permanent exhibition. From Shaping Europe to Europe Today, including Europe in Ruins and Rebuilding a Divided Continent, the journey invites visitors to understand the major turning points, hopes and fractures that have shaped the continent.
The museum does not limit itself to an institutional or political reading of history. It intertwines collective and individual perspectives, as well as cultural, social and ideological dimensions, revealing a narrative that is rich, nuanced and deeply human.
An immersive and accessible scenography
The strength of the House of European History lies in its modern and interactive scenography. Tablets, hands-on objects, reconstructions and testimonies are all designed to make sometimes complex content clear and easy to understand. Visitors move from one space to another with curiosity, guided by a staging that stimulates attention and encourages reflection.
Many visitors mention the sense of surprise they feel during the visit: what they expected to be serious or even austere turns out to be a fluid and dynamic museum where learning happens naturally.
A journey through memories and emotions
As the visit unfolds, European history also becomes a personal memory. Everyday objects, vintage advertisements, a small car from Eastern Europe, furniture from the 1970s these fragments often spark smiles, awaken memories and create an immediate link between past and present.
Major events in European history — from the Napoleonic wars to the world conflicts, from the Iron Curtain to consumer society, from feminism to the war in Yugoslavia — are addressed with balance and clarity, without oversimplification but always with the intention of remaining close to the visitor.
A living museum rooted in Brussels
Opened in 2017, the House of European History stands out for its ambition and the resources dedicated to bringing it to life. The collections, gathered from across Europe, and the quality of the exhibition design allow visitors to spend several hours without noticing time passing.
Anchored in Brussels while embracing the recent history of the European continent as a whole, the museum succeeds in connecting different scales: that of Europe, that of its peoples and that of individuals.
Mondays: 13.00 - 18.00 • Tuesday to Friday: 9.00 - 18.00 • Saturdays and Sundays, and every day in July and August: 10.00 - 18.00 • Closed on 1/01, 1/05, 1/11, 24/12, 25/12 and 31/12.
Price
Free admission
Guided tour
Self-guided tour with tablets (available in 24 languages)
Tour length
1.5 hrs • Self-guided tour with tablets (available in 24 languages)
Group
Price
Free of charge
Guided tour
Guided tours in EN, FR, NL, DE upon request, for groups of 10+ OR self-guided tours with tablets (available in 24 languages). Special tours for school groups are also possible.
• Prior booking is mandatory for groups of 10 people and more.
Visits for groups with a multimedia guide should be booked online at least 2 weeks in advance. Guided tours should be booked online at least 4 weeks in advance.
More information
• Special visits for school groups.
Each tour is facilitated by a member of our museum team, offering their personal interpretation of the theme and a fresh perspective on the collection. Rather than exhaustive lectures, these tours highlight selected objects and aim to spark curiosity, reflection and conversation about European History.
Practical information
- Tours are free and take place from 12:15-13:00 in English. Meet the guide at the Family Kiosk in the Fables Room. No booking required.
- Please be aware that to enter the museum, you must pass through security checks which can take some time – we advise you plan for this in advance.
20 January - Memories of the Shoah
2026 marks 80 years since the closure of the Nuremberg Trials, where Nazi perpetrators were brought to justice. The month of January also offers a time to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust on Remembrance Day. A week prior to the commemoration, the House of European History invites you to take time in the exhibition to remember the victims and hear the individual stories that must never be forgotten.
17 February - Feelings in History
Feelings play a large part in historical narratives: sometimes for contradicting reasons, sometimes driving individuals or entire societies to take action. This February, come and uncover some of the many emotions behind historical events through the vast collection of the House of European History.
17 March - Women in European History
In March we celebrate International Women’s Rights Day, making it the perfect moment to discover some of the extraordinary women represented in the House of European History. Delve into the collection, encounter the objects linked to their lives, and learn more about their impact on Europe’s past.
21 April - Meet Postcolonial? exhibition team 1/2
Our new temporary exhibition “Postcolonial?” has officially opened its doors! Come and meet the team that helped create and shape the exhibition that explores the long-lasting effects that colonisation and its ending have had in Europe over the last 70 years.
19 May - A little more EU in your lunch break
EU don't know EU’re bEUtiful! Discover more about the European Union and the people, programmes and events that connect European countries. “Schuman”, “European Elections” and “Erasmus” this is your chance to learn more about these iconic European stories!
16 June - Love is Love
Love makes the world go round and the House of European History holds many lovely objects and stories. Come and encounter them as you fall in love with history and take a closer look at some stories from the LGBTQIA+ community, their struggle to love who they want, their victories and the waves they made in European history. Love wins!
21 July - No lunchtime tour due to national holiday.
18 August - Europe in motion
Behind every journey lies a story. This month, take a closer look at the movements that transformed Europe: the migrations that reshaped communities, the travels that opened new horizons, and the transport innovations that brought the continent closer together. Let’s uncover the human experiences hidden behind Europe’s roads, routes and roaming.
15 September - Generation to generation
Which generation do you belong to? From Erasmus students setting off on European adventures, to the many age groups who lived, loved, fought and rebuilt this continent, each generation brings its own rhythm to history. Come and uncover how generations shape Europe and how Europe shapes generations.
20 October - A very European playlist
Music in European history carries meaning, memories and moments of gathering. Let’s listen carefully to the sounds and songs throughout the House of European History including ‘’Ode to Joy’’, factory rhythms, Eurodance beats and Eurovision favourites...
17 November - Meet Postcolonial? exhibition team 2/2
“Postcolonial?” is the current temporary exhibition here at the House of European History. It explores the long-lasting effects that colonisation and its ending have had in Europe over the last 70 years. Come and meet the team that shaped this exhibition.
15 December - Preparation for a festive season
Say hello to the festive season! Brush up on stories of European history for the perfect dinner table conversation this holiday period. Looking for inspiration for the perfect gift? Try a trip to the House of European History! Let’s unpack the history of certain objects that were given and maybe even returned.
Get to know the museum’s essentials
Once a month, join our French-language guided tour designed for individual visitors who want an engaging introduction to the permanent exhibition. In 90 minutes, you will discover essential objects and stories while learning new ways to look, reflect and discuss European history. The tour is completely free and open to adults and teenagers aged over 12. It is ideal for curious visitors coming on their own, or with up to four other people.
About the Visites Découvertes
- During this guided visit, a facilitator will introduce you to the museum and a selection of key objects from the exhibition.
- The tour also involves learning methods, such as "Visible Thinking" and "Slow Looking", which encourage sharing observations or moments for dialogue and reflection within the group.
- The tour will help you see details from European history, connect ideas and feel more confident exploring the rest of the exhibition on your own afterwards.
Practical Information
- Language - French
- Duration - from 14:30 to 16:00, each second Sunday of the month
- Meeting point - Fables room, arrive in advance due to mandatory security checks
- Registration - Participation is free, but registration is mandatory. If the tour is not full, additional visitors may join on the day.
18/04/2026 - 14/03/2027:
* monday: from 13:00 to 18:00
* tuesday, wednesday, thursday and friday: from 09:00 to 18:00
* saturday and sunday: from 10:00 to 18:00
Starting with the structural foundations of European colonialism, going through how Europeans preserved power as their empires collapsed and in what manner that affected newly independent countries, the exhibition takes us to present times. It invites us to reflect on the ways colonial history still shapes life today.
Following the Second World War, colonial power seemed to crumble. From 1945 to the end of the twentieth century, more than 80 colonies overcame European rule and declared independence. After decades or even centuries of resistance to brutal oppression, their victories appeared to mark a decisive break with the past. But appearances can be deceiving.
How did the colonial matrix of power – the ideas, events, inequalities and injustices born of colonialism – continue to shape the modern world?
Unique artworks, historical objects and personal stories accompany the visitor throughout this much-needed European reckoning with colonialism.