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Ixelles/Elsene

In Ixelles you'll find a serene and tranquil alcove in busy Brussels, the beautiful Bois de la Cambre forest, parks, ponds, and the Abbaye de la Cambre, which was founded in 1196 by the Sisters of the Cistercian Order. The building was rebuilt during the 17th and 18th Centuries after suffering extensive damage during the Wars of Religion. There is only one remaining section of the original church itself, which dates back to the 14th Century. The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium is the largest museum in the country, and has exhibitions of artwork acquired from the collection of King William the first as well as pieces dating all the way back to the 14th Century. The Place du Grand Sablon is a large square with many interesting shops. There is also a statue of Minerva and several churches, among them Our Lady Church, that house excellent examples of Belgian architecture.