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Philip the Good (reigned 1419–67) founded the Order of the Golden Fleece and was a great patron of the arts.

This warehouse conversion in the old dockland area north of the city houses a lounge club (DJs Thu–Sat), restaurant and lunch spot.

Fabulous chocolates, made entirely from raw ingredients.

During the 16th century, Flemish artists turned to Italy for inspiration, which muddied their distinctive north European vision. But Pieter Brueghel (c.1525–69) rejected this trend and painted in a personal style based on what he saw around him. His depictions of rural villages have an affectionate charm and honest naivety.

De Coninck, a weaver, and Breydel, a butcher, led the Flemish rebellion against the French, launched in 1302.

Almost all the best Flemish artists trained in Italy in the 16th century, and no one made more of this experience than Pieter Paul Rubens (1577–1640). He combined his prodigious Flemish technique with Italian flourish to produce art full of verve and dynamism.

The 445 “martyrs” killed in the Belgian Revolution of 1830 lie buried in this square.

There are antique shops fronting onto the square, but try poking around in some of the side passages as well. Two of the finest chocolatiers, Wittamer and Marcolini, are here (see Wittamer, Pierre Marcolini).

A jolly slice of ancient folklore dating back to 1213. Led by the Confrérie des Compagnons de Saint-Laurent, dressed in wacky costumes, and accompanied by seven traditional giant figures, the participants parade a may tree around central Brussels, before planting it on the corner of the Rue du Marais and Rue des Sables.

A dynamic cocktail bar (evenings only): one side is Mexican, the other side African. The African phrase pole pole translates as “take it easy”.