VISIT TO ANTWERP
Cecile Mataillet
Seeking inspiration and new horizons, our designers travelled to the historic capital of Flanders. Antwerp, city at its cultural peak and bursting with diversity, shared some of its secrets with us. Join us on a tour of Antwerp !
design process often begins with raw materials, rather than ideas for garments
As soon as we arrived, we were struck by the main train station, considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
Often called the Railroad Cathedral, its structure is as impressive on the inside as it is on the outside. Its enormous steel roof makes it shine and perfectly fits the undeniably regal stone building.
Historic center
Our first steps took us to the historic center where Antwerp's town square (the Grand-Place) can be found. Its paved streets, city hall and buildings come together in a harmony that recalls the Scandinavian style with its sharp geometric shapes. The statue of Silvius Brabo stands in the heart of the square. His legend is said to explain Antwerp's unusual name. ..
Plantin-Moretus Museum
Next, we took a quick detour through the Plantin-Moretus Museum. The garden in its inner courtyard is a peaceful haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city. As soon as we entered the museum, we were transported to the 16th century.
We explored the authentic family printing office and publishing house from the 1600s, home to the world's oldest printing presses. We feasted our eyes on everything in the museum: the architecture, the tapestry, the paintings, the huge library, and much more.
Baroque art
Our visit helped us discover a city still deeply marked by Baroque architecture and art. This artistic movement from the 16th and 17th centuries boasts a remarkable creativity, with a focus on theatricality, delusions of grandeur and free-flowing movements.
The painter Peter Paul Rubens, born in Antwerp, is one of the main reasons for this artistic heritage. His works can be spotted throughout the city in places such as museums, cathedrals and churches.
We were impressed by the abundance of street art. Antwerp's residential neighbourhoods are brimming with visual treasures. Here are some of our favourites:
A mural by cartoon artist Brecht Evens pays tribute to the soul of the city by depicting its history, inhabitants and their world cultures. The artwork can be found at 13rd street Oever.
The stunning portrait of a Geisha caught our eye by its colour and the woman's delicate features. Reflecting the city's quirky spirit, Pablo Piatti painted "Memory of a Geisha" on the façade of the Asian restaurant Dim Dining.
It's clear that street art plays on Baroque values, like a contemporary form of heritage. There's something for everyone, including portraits, murals, a wide variety of colour palettes, geometric shapes, and trompe-l'oeil. Each painting has its own history, but they all have one thing in common: they bear witness to the city's cultural diversity.
We couldn't ignore that we were in Belgium, and you can't have Belgian food without the famous Belgian fries. The "baraques à frites" or friteries have become part of Belgium's intangible cultural heritage. If you prefer to sit while you eat, not far from the Grand-Place is the restaurant Bara Mia, the Belgian equivalent of a fish & chip shop.
The affordable prices take nothing away from the quality of the food (fresh and sustainable fish served with home-made fries and sauces).
To relax after a packed day, in the evening we visited and fell in love with the Belgian restaurant called T-Hofke in the old town. Surrounded by brick, greenery and fairy lights, the warm and snug patio took us back in time. Needless to say, we loved the decor as much as we loved the cuisine!
Antwerp has a wide selection of concept stores in the food industry. Eating is a necessity, but appreciating it is an art...
This concludes our getaway, which gave us the opportunity to discover Antwerp from various angles: its Baroque history, its architecture, its culinary culture and its hidden gems.