Porte de Namur, a district in effervescence

Look and listen. Here, it is a permanent parade of vehicles and pedestrians. Hotels, boutiques, famous department stores, more popular brands, cafés, theaters, fast-food restaurants and brasseries follow one another. We are in the extreme north of Ixelles, between Place Louise and Place du Luxembourg. Welcome to the Porte de Namur district, in the immediate vicinity of Flagey and the Châtelain district.

Not far from the European district and adjacent to the Matonge district, let’s discover the Porte de Namur district, a district full of life where ready-to-wear shops, restaurants, small bars and cultural life mix together.

Saint-Boniface, a heterogeneous architecture

The architecture of the Saint-Boniface district, partly bounded by the Ixelles and Wavre roads, offers a concentrate of European trends. From the facades of the Art Nouveau buildings to the neo-Gothic style of the Saint-Boniface church, you will witness a farandole of architectural elegance. Let’s continue to the Fernand Coq square and admire the neoclassical style of the town hall of Ixelles. Its cachet? Its impressive entrance hall and wedding hall.

Festive culinary atmosphere in the Saint-Boniface district

If you like to have a drink in a festive atmosphere or taste cuisine from the four corners of the world, the Porte de Namur district is for you. After a night movie, make a diversion to « Chez Ta mère », a bar renowned for its crazy retro atmosphere. Feeling hungry late at night? We invite you to the Osteria Bolognese, a successful Italian restaurant. This cosmopolitan place is a great place to get away from it all, to have a good time and to enjoy yourself.

The African district Matonge

Let’s go to the intersection of the Ixelles and Wavre roads. There, in front of us opens the Brussels African district of Matonge with an exotic atmosphere. Here, we are very close to the European district and its institutions. The Matonge district has become very attractive and is frequented by locals. It offers bars, restaurants and trendy stores.

Architecture on the Matonge side

If the Matonge district is distinguished by its commercial offer, its architectural diversity also prevails. Admire the osmosis between the neoclassical and Art Deco styles. Want to spend an evening with friends in a retro atmosphere? Try the pedestrian street on the block formed by the Berger and Keyenveld streets.

Don’t miss the Hotel Le Berger, a former Brussels bachelor apartment, recently renovated, a real Art Deco showcase, where films are regularly shot.

Matonge district, African atmosphere guaranteed

Let’s continue to wander through this neighborhood with its typical African activities. Can you smell the scent of Afro cuisine? You will taste the best Saka Saka, a Central African dish made of manioc leaves. You will also find a wide range of tropical fruits and vegetables as well as many specialized hair salons.

The Place du Luxembourg

Let’s continue our animated visit towards the east of the Porte de Namur district, on the other side of the chaussée de Wavre. A few streets further on, we find ourselves on the majestic semicircular Place du Luxembourg, part of the European district. Look up and see the classical style buildings, home to many bars popular with European officials. An ideal cosmopolitan place for an after-work party.

Every Tuesday, shop at the organic market that takes place here.

• Listen to blues and jazz music at Sounds Jazz Club;
• Attend a play at the Mercelis Theatre;
• See the latest Almodovar at the UGC cinema;
• Have a picnic with friends at the ponds of Ixelles;
• Taste African cuisine in the Matonge district;
• Applaud the stand-up artists at the Pacific and contemplate its basement decorated by the Brussels street-artist Jaune;
• Do your ready-to-wear shopping on the chaussée d’Ixelles;
• Contemplate the luxury boutiques on avenue de la Toison d’or;
• Plan a visit to the CIVA, museum of architecture and urbanism;
• Enroll your family in the Ixelles municipal library.

Are you charmed by the animation of Porte de Namur – Saint-Boniface? You should know that this urban district of Ixelles, close to the Flagey district, is rich in luxury housing. Now all you have to do is…

Discover our real estates in the district of Porte de Namur – Saint-Boniface