We invite you to take a tour of the Royal Quarter, exploring the recent discoveries made during the renovation works on Place Royale and Rue de la Régence. Large-scale works, coordinated by Beliris and the STIB, have effectively torn up the district’s subsoil and yielded a wealth of archaeological finds linked not only to the former Coudenberg Palace, but also to the cemetery of Saint-Jean Hospital, which was in use from 1299 and decommissioned in the early 18th century.

The first shovelfuls of earth were dug at Place Royale in 2022, but the bulk of the work began in spring 2024 and lasted for nearly two years. The archaeological investigations accompanying this work were carried out by a team from the Museum Art & History on behalf of, and with the assistance of, urban.brussels.

As the remains are no longer visible today, this tour will be illustrated and commented on in situ by the archaeologist in charge of the excavations.

Collaboration: urban.brussels, Museum Art & History

Book your guided tour by sending an email to archeologie@urban.brussels, specifying the type of event/the site, the number of people, the time and the language.

Practical information

Guided tours on Friday 12/06/2026 and Sunday 14/06/2026

Meeting point: Stairs of the Saint-Jacques-sur-le-Coudenberg Church (place Royale), 1000 Brussels

Maximum 12 persons per guided tour

Reservation compulsory

Accessible for PRM

Friday 12/06/2026

Schedule of guided tours (Duration of the visit: 40 min)

Guided tours only in French

16.00 (FR)

17.00 (FR)

Sunday 14/06/2026

Schedule of guided tours (Duration of the visit: 40 min)

Guided tours only in French

11.00 (FR)

12.30 (FR)

14.00 (FR)