The hotel “La Vieille Lanterne” is located in the historic center of Brussels, directly across from the famous Manneken-Pis fountain (less than 50 meters away).
This hotel was founded in 1958, coinciding with the World Expo, and has been run by the same family ever since.
The hotel overlooks a souvenir shop, allowing you to take home a piece of what symbolizes our city and region.
It is built on the ruins of the Carmelite convent, which gave its name to the street, just like many buildings in the neighborhood, known as the “Saint-Jacques district.”
For history lovers, the Saint-Jacques Hospice once welcomed pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela, giving the neighborhood its name. Bronze shells embedded in the cobblestones here and there remind us of the pilgrims’ path.
The Saint-Jacques district has over a thousand years of history, and its story is intertwined with the origins of the City of Brussels (the neighborhood is almost entirely within the first city walls of Brussels).
When you leave the hotel, which is easily accessible (with parking at ‘Place de la Justice’, Albertine parking 5 minutes away, Central Station 10 minutes away, and the ‘Bourse’ metro station 5 minutes away, with numerous bus lines serving the area),
you will be in a largely pedestrian area that will allow you to discover the wonderful Grand Place of Brussels, the Chocolate Museum, as well as many artisans. You will also find the statue of Madame Chapeau, a colorful character from Brussels folklore, and the statue of the Grand Jacques (Jacques Brel) welcoming visitors on the Place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés.
The proximity of public transport allows you to access other highlights of Brussels, such as the Atomium at Heysel, our “Eiffel Tower,” the museums at the Cinquantenaire (Royal Museums of Art and History, Autoworld, and the Army Museum), among others.
