Musical Instrument Museum, Brussels

Formally an up-market clothes store, the Old England building, preserved because of its exclusive art nouveau style, now hosts the Museum of Musical Instruments and has become a major Brussels landmark. It displays famous virginals and harpsichords of the Antwerp school, as well as original instruments manufactured by Adolphe Sax, the Belgian inventor of the saxophone.

Unfortunately I did not have enough time to see the interior of this interesting building. From outside it looks very nice and contain, as my friend who lives in Brussels told me, more than 7000 musical instruments from all over the world.

Musical Instrument Museum
Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)
rue Montagne de la Cour 2
B-1000 Bruxelles (Belgium)
Tél. : + 32 (0)2 / 545.01.30 Fax : + 32 (0)2 / 545.01.78


The MIM is a federal museum and is a part of the Royal Museum of art and History.
Opening hours

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Note : Tickets are sold until 30 minutes before closing time .

Closed on

Mondays and on 1st January, 1st May, 1st and 11th November, 25th December.

Entrance (audio-guide included). .
Adults 5,00 €
Reductions (reductions cannot be combined):
Students (- de 26 ans)
Seniors (+ de 65 ans)
Foreign teachers
Groups (min. 15 people, without guided tour). 3,50 €
Unemployed, disabled persons, School groups and youth groups (min. 15 people, without guided tour) 2,00 €
Belgian teachers, Children (under 12 years), Friends of the MIM and of the MRAH, press, SSTC, Icom, Per Musea. Free
The first wednesday afternoon (from 1:00 pm onwards) of the month (permanent collections only). Free

Information and reservations

Public relations : 32-2/545.01.54
Rental services : +32-2 / 741.73.48
Educational service (guided tours, courses, workshops) : 32-2 / 545.01.53
Cultural service (concerts) : 32-2 / 545.01.53
Library : 32-2 / 545.01.70
Shop : 32-2 / 545.01.62
Restaurant : 32-2 / 502.95.08

Access :

- Metro : lines 1A ou 1B, stops Central Station or Park
- Tram : lines 92, 93, 94, stop Royale
- Bus : lines 20, 38, 60, 71, 95, 96, stop Royale
- Car : paying underground car park Congrès-Albertine, (entrances in the Place de la Justice or the Rue des Sols).

We are musical lovers, but I don't think you have to be a buff to really enjoy this museum. It houses a collection of ancient and rare instruments from all over the world. See how modern day instruments changed through time to become what they are today! Very interesting museum!!

The Musical Instrumen Museum is housed in the Old England building. You can find it when climbing the "Mont des Arts" (see previous tip), on your left. The building is one of the most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings of Brussels and dates back to 1899.
The museum itself has a beautifull collection of ancient, modern and traditional music. Thanks to headphones, you are able to actually hear the different sounds of the instruments.

Nice museum
It is worth the detour
you walk around and see old instruments and you can hear the music it can do in your headsets
First wednesay of each month all the state museums are free!
The architecture is one of Horta's nice works.

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The Musical Instrument Museum is well worth a visit. It stocks a huge range of instruments from all eras, from across the world.

When you enter you are given
infra-red headphones, and through these you can hear the sounds of the different instruments playing as you stand near each exhibition - very clever.

The building it is housed in is pretty impressive too.

Closed on : Mondays and on 1st January, 1st May, 1st and 11th November, 25th December

I highly recommend this museum. Not only for the very rich collection of musical instruments, but also for the wonderful "Art Nouveau" building that houses the museum. Don't forget to have a drink (a tasty Belgian beer for example !) on top where the sight is fabulous. It really worths it !
(5,00 € adults)

Très beau musée et bien intéresent. Il faut aller le voir.

Avec les enfants c'est une belle découverte.

Very nice and instructive museum. You must go there.
I loved it.