Le renard noir

The black fox.

I recognised here many of the faces from Recyclart. Piercings, tattoos, bohemians with velvet coats. And made a new acquaintance: Vlad, the Ukrainian bartender/ owner with a heavy, yet charming accent.

Classical Belgian décor, lots of wood and mirrors. Not to mention the cosy terrace. The menu features some rare beers, such as Le fruit défendu, and some yummy snacks.

The perfect place to quench your thirst after the animated flee market at Jeu de Balle or a tour of the art galleries in the Sablon.  

Venue: 233 rue Haute, 1000 Brussels

art & marges

A small, lesser-known museum in the Marolles.

For over 25 years, it has been defending the artists outside the classical cultural circuit, the outsiders, the self-taught or psychologically fragile. 

The entrance costs only 4 euros. I heartily recommend their last expo, "Il était une fois l'art brut" ("Once upon a time, there was art brut"). The raw or outsider art is usually associated with the possible origins of art: the childhood, the primitive, the savage, the confinement.

Jean Dubuffet is considered the father of art brut. The nicest thing about this expo is the classification by colours, easy to grasp even by a child. So don't hesitate to spend an hour with your family in this charming museum...

Address: 312-314 rue Haute, 1000 Brussels

Le Marché des Tanneurs

Set in the former Palais du Vin, gorgeous Art Nouveau building from the late 19th-early 20th century, this market is a charming way to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning shopping for organic groceries. You can combine this with a visit of the Marolles and the Sablon, both only a few steps away. 

The salespeople are patient and friendly. The market offers a wide range of fruit and vegetables, milk products, cereals and wines. For meat lovers, the offer is sparse though. 

The building also hosts Les Ateliers des Tanneurs, dealing with social reinsertion and encouraging local economies. 

Address:

Rue des Tanneurs, 58-62
1000 Brussels

Zanzibar- the nostalgia of the fifties

I discovered Zanzibar on a rainy day last year, after visiting a photo exhibit at the art) & (marges museum in the lovely Marolles.

If you want to have a healthy and frugal lunch, this is the perfect place. You can enjoy fresh sandwiches, quiches and some basic French and Italian dishes.

The special reason why I feel so well here is the interior reminding of the fifties. 

It is also very close to Place du Jeu de Balle, hosting the best flea market in town. 

Exact address: 316 rue Haute, 1000 Brussels.