Federal Parliament Brussels
The Palace of the Nation on Wetstraat, opposite the Brussels Park, has been the seat of the Belgian federal parliament since independence. This eighteenth-century neoclassical building houses both the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate. Guided tours lead through the semicircular debating chamber, the Peristyle, the library and historic reception salons. It is a key place to experience Belgian political history.
The main entrance on Wetstraat is reached by stairs, but for wheelchair users there is an adapted side entrance with a ramp and lift. A large part of the visitor route is wheelchair accessible; some historic rooms have thresholds or narrower passages. An accessible toilet is available and visitors with disabilities are guided by reception staff.
The parliament is within walking distance of Brussels Central station and the Park metro station. Accessible parking spaces can be found on Hertogsstraat and along the Brussels Park, and the Albertina car park beneath the Mont des Arts is nearby. From the parliament you can take a wheelchair-friendly walk through the Brussels Park, where paved paths and benches make for a pleasant continuation of the visit.
Good to know
- Reservation
- Guided tours run on set days (usually Saturday) and are free but must be booked in advance via the website. Mention when booking that you are a wheelchair user — the adapted side entrance and assistance are then arranged in advance.
- Busy and quiet times
- Tours are small groups. During plenary session weeks (March-April, October-December) the area is busier with politicians and press; public tours usually run outside sitting days. The summer recess (July-August) has more limited visit options.
- Things to note
- The monumental main entrance on Wetstraat is only via steps — use the adapted side entrance with ramp and lift. A few historic rooms on the route have narrower passages or small thresholds; the tour largely follows the adapted route.
- Visit tip
- Combine the visit with a wheelchair-friendly walk through the adjacent Parc de Bruxelles/Warandepark (paved main paths, benches) — a nice before- or after-point. Metro station Park (lift up) is the closest barrier-free public-transport stop.
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