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Museums

Museum David and Alice van Buuren

4.7 · 847 reviews
A quiet, preserved atmosphere of 1930s residential elegance.
Museum David and Alice van Buuren, Av. Léo Errera 41, 1180 Uccle, Belgium
Interesting facts
1

The house was designed by architects Léon Emmanuel Govaerts and Alexis Van Vaerenbergh, while the interior decor was overseen by artists like Maurice Depauw.

2

The Labyrinth in the garden includes a 'Song of the Birds' feature designed to attract specific avian species.

3

The museum holds a permanent collection of over 32,000 items, ranging from paintings to sculptures and decorative arts.

4

The Van Buurens were significant patrons of the Belgian Surrealist movement, which is reflected in specific curated areas of the home.

5

The garden layout was intentionally designed to showcase different themes, shifting from a rose garden to a picturesque landscape designed to reflect the changing seasons.

Overview

The Museum David and Alice van Buuren is an impeccably preserved Art Deco villa located in the residential Uccle district of Brussels. Originally built in the late 1920s, the house served as the private residence of David van Buuren, a Dutch banker, and his wife Alice, who curated an extensive collection of fine art and antiques. The interior features original furniture, stained-glass windows, and carpets designed by leading artists of the Art Deco movement. A major highlight of the property is the 'Garden of the Heart,' a two-hectare park designed in the 1920s that transitions through distinct aesthetic phases, including a geometric garden and a labyrinth. The museum displays works by masters such as Bruegel, Ensor, and Van Gogh. The villa remains a time capsule of elite 1930s European domestic life. Guests move through rooms that retain their original layout and artistic integrity.

Photo spot

The view of the geometric garden from the villa’s large rear terrace windows.

Insider tips

Allow sufficient time to explore the expansive gardens, as they are as significant as the house interior.

Check the museum's exhibition calendar before visiting, as they frequently host temporary contemporary art installations that contrast with the permanent collection.

What to avoid

Do not attempt to visit without checking the current exhibition schedule, as the museum occasionally closes for private events or exhibition installations.

Good to know

Closed on Tuesdays.

Etiquette

Visitors are typically required to wear shoe covers provided at the entrance to protect the original parquet floors and antique rugs.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
1.5-2 hours
Best time to visit
Late spring or early summer to see the gardens in full bloom.
Address
Museum David and Alice van Buuren, Av. Léo Errera 41, 1180 Uccle, Belgium
50.810, 4.354
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsWorks by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, James Ensor, and Vincent van Gogh
Architectural styleArt Deco

Frequently asked

Plan for about 1.5-2 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Late spring or early summer to see the gardens in full bloom..

The view of the geometric garden from the villa’s large rear terrace windows.

Close by you'll find Cambre Woods, Manneken Pis, Parc du Cinquantenaire.