A visit to the Bon Repos, can also be the occasion to discover a colourful district, very rich at the level of historical patrimony.

From the square of the Chapelle, it is possible to make a loop through the district that allows you to discover a good many curiosities. A visit that one can improve, if necessary, with a gastronomic discovery, thanks to the numerous restaurants scattered throughout the whole of the district. To bring about in totality, or partially, according to the time which one has available.

For practical reasons, the walk starts at the square of the Chapelle, in front of the Bon Repos, and takes the rue Blaes, in the direction of the Old Market. This road, parallel to the rue Haute, was created at the initiative of alderman Blaes in 1855. Over the years, numerous second-hand goods dealers and antique dealers became established there.

Just after the Bon Repos building, take the lane that comes down to the right in the direction of the church of the Brigittines that was built in Italian-Flemish style in 1667. Closed down in 1784, this was used over the course of centuries, alternately as prison for war prisoners, public salt-marsh pan, school, beer and wood shop, butcher's shop, and even a ballroom. For some years now, it serves as a cultural area, in interaction with the Maison de la Bellone. We cannot leave the Chapelle without a glance towards the railway installations of the North - Midi connection. Inaugurated in 1952, this "connection" allows the trains to take the underground crossing of the city between Chapelle station and North station.

A simple look at the width and the number of tracks, allows you to imagine the damage caused to the urban environment, during the realisation of this work. Hundreds of houses disappeared and with them, a good many souvenirs.

The station is at the moment "occupied" by the non-profit making association Recyclart who, by means of European credits, try hard to re-value it, and to erase the rift between the districts that have been torn apart since decades. We go back to rue Blaes by going back up the Notre-Seigneur street.

At the level of Saint - Ghislain street, to be seen at nbr. 40, a building that shelters a nursery school, built in 1895 by Victor Horta. Almost opposite, the very austere facade of Mont de Piété that has become since 1923, the Public Office of Secured loans, hides in fact an authentic Ali-Baba's cave. In the axis and right at the end of the street, the building of the archives of the city of Brussels can be seen, installed in the former Jules Waucquez shops. We re-trace our steps, to come back to the rue Blaes.

On the way we can notice, a little farther down to the right, (rue des Capuçins), an interesting mural fresco whereas at the following crossroad, but this time on the left, do not miss the rue des Renards, with its appearance of a small Montmartre).

Our walk brings us to the Square of the Jeu de Balle, or square of the Vieux Marché, also called the Marché aux Puces (Flea market), because of the market which has been held every day of the week from 1873. A paradise for bargain hunters.

Take a slight deviation by the rue du Chevreuil (to the right of the church), to observe the mural fresco of Boule and Bill, as well as the facade of the "Baths of Brussels".

We cannot leave the square without turning aside to see the former barracks of the Fire brigade. Built in 1863 by the architect Poelaert, it was disused in 1980. Since that time, it has benefited from important renovation works. Flats occupy the upper floors whereas businesses were fitted out in the former garages. The hall was transformed into an art gallery.

By leaving the barracks and by staying on the same pavement, take the first street on the left (rue de la Rasière). This street goes along a block of inexpensive flats. Created by the architect Hellemans, this was finished in 1914. Considered at that time as a "model workers' housing development", it constituted an authentic pilot project in the field of social housing. This building shelters 272 apartments.

We cross through the development by taking one of the streets the names of which evoke professions. All end up in the rue Pieremans that we go back up towards the left until reaching the rue Haute.

Probably one of the oldest highways of the city, as it was already mentioned in the Gaelic - Roman era. This enormous building in brick, shelters the Saint-Pierre hospital, built on the emplacement of a former leper-establishment. Vast building, built in 1935 also shelters the administration of the Public Centre of Social Aid. On inquiry, one can visit the museum of the C.P.A.S., which shelters a real treasure. Most of the exposed works result from former convents.

One can naturally, pursue our walk by the right-hand side, in the direction of the Porte d'Halle, distant by 250 metres, but it will then be necessary to go back a little. Although awkwardly restored in 1870, by the architect Beyaert who decked it out with a roof, but also a machicolation, this marks one of the main entrances to the city, when the second surrounding wall encircled it. It is the only door that remains of the second surrounding wall.

Just a little lower, a monolith of pink granite is noticed (weight 20 tons!), work realised by Manolo La Paz, offered by the Government of the Galicia. By re-descending the boulevard, the Cité Fontainas is reached (on the left). Built in 1860, on the initiative of the alderman Fontainas, who devoted himself to the improvement of state education. Originally, this was exclusively intended for the housing of municipal schoolteacher pensioners, who were therefore offered a shelter, without other privileges than that of seniority.

By retracing one's steps in the rue Haute, do not miss nbr. 255, the facade of the school decorated with the statue of Philippe Marnix de Sainte - Adelgonde.

A bit further on, do not miss the mural fresco painted on the gable at the angle of the rue des Capucins. At 207, the facade of the former cinema Rialto gives evidence of the majestic past of this cinema that attracted numerous spectators. See also the hall of nbr. 182. One arrives at the square Bruegel. Interesting view of the Law court.

At 139, the prestigious entrance to the former Jacqmotte factories survives. The complex has undergone extensive restoration on the initiative of the architect Jaspers. These days the building is occupied by, amongst others, the Triodos bank, the Donaldson company, GV/Company and the architect, M. Jaspers & Partners.

At the level of nbr. 132, at the angle of the rue de la Porte Rouge, the building occupied in the 16th. century, by the painter Peter Bruegel and his wife Maria Coeke draws itself up. The building was the object of massive restoration (one does not visit). Do not miss having a look at the impasse des Chansons (116, rue Haute). One of the rare impasses that still remain in the rue Haute, while in the last century there were 42! A little before the square of the Chapelle, do not miss a visit to the rue des Chandeliers (Level XX rue Haute). This very ancient alley, as it was already mentioned in 1349, seems to rise to the assault of a Butte de Montmartre. More down to earth, this allows one to return to the rue des Minimes, and from there to the Sablon .

Having crossed the square of the Chapelle, the walk is continued in the direction of the boulevard de l'Empereur (straight on). After a hundred metres, the Anneessens Tower is discovered, vestige of the defensive system of the first surrounding wall. By retracing one's steps, we can come back to the square of the Chapelle.

The visit of the church can not be missed. Located in front of our establishments, the church of the Chapelle easily distinguish itself from the urban landscape because of its unique bell tower, realised in 1708 by Pastorana. Built in 1134, outside the first surrounding wall, on the decision of Godefroid the 1st., the Duke of Brabant, who offers a Chapel to the monks of the abbey of the Saint-Sépulchre of Cambrai, the church becomes the second parish of Brussels as from 1210.

In 1405, a violent fire destroys the building at the same time as 2.400 houses in the district. In the 16th. century, the great nave is built. In 1569 the painter, Pierre Bruegel, is buried there. Among the monuments, do not miss that of François Anneessens, the duke of Croy, the family Spinola, and that of St Boniface. The church conceals a lot of other curiosities such as the Vierge de, a very beautiful Trinity (XV), and baptismal fonts (1475). See also the chaire de Vérité, due to the talent of Plumier ( 1721 ) and the Church organs. On request, it is possible to visit the Sacristy (very beautiful panelling). From 1989 to 1996, the church benefited from important restoration works, supervised by the architect Marcel Mignot. Thanks to its elegance, and to the quality of the acoustics, numerous concerts are organised there all year round (information on 02 513 53 48). The loop is ended, we have returned to our point of departure.