Hotels in European Quarter near EU Commission and Parliament

The Espace Léopold in Brussels, Belgium houses a complex of European Parliament buildings where the legislative chamber can be found and the European Commission meet. This complex is in the European Quarter which is 200 metres from Brussels Luxembourg station and a 20-minute walk from Brussels city centre, which is one of the best areas to stay.

There are many hotels near the European Parliament complex and EU Commission. Properties with high-tech facilities, Wi-Fi, fitness suites and pools can be found near the European Parliament, which is handy for visitors staying in the area for a few days or longer. If you are looking for accommodation with restaurants and bars on site, these are available as well.

The European Parliament is the only directly-elected body of the European Union. The 785 Members of the European Parliament are there to represent you, the citizen. They are elected once every five years by voters right across the 27 Member States of the European Union on behalf of its 492 million citizens.

The European Parliament has two meeting places, namely the Immeuble Louise Weiss in Strasbourg, France, which serves for plenary sessions and is the official seat and the Espace Léopold complex in Brussels, Belgium.

Most of the time, Parliament and the MEPs are based in Brussels where its specialist committees meet to scrutinize proposals for new EU laws. Parliament meets for one week a month in Strasbourg in full plenary session to amend and vote draft legislation and policy. A number of additional two-day plenary sessions are also held in Brussels.

The “European quarter” around the Schumann metro station is also worth strolling through. It is possible to visit some of the buildings in this area, which house the European Parliament, Council of Ministers, European Commission (the “government” of the European Union) and its administration. Perhaps most impressive is the recently erected European Parliament building, towering over the pretty parc that also houses the Natural History museum.

There is no shortage in hotels or other accommodation options in Brussels located within close distance of all European buildings and institutions.

European Parliament (EP) : Institution of the European Union (EU), together with the Council of the European Union (the Council) and the European Commission.

Country : Belgium

Address : Rue Wiertz 60, 1047 Bruxelles

Brussels EU Commission building

Brussels European Quarter — The “European quarter” around the Schumann metro station is also worth strolling through. It is possible to visit some of the buildings in this area, which house the European Parliament, Council of Ministers, European Commission (the “government” of the European Union) and its administration. Perhaps most impressive is the recently erected European Parliament building, towering over the pretty parc that also houses the Natural History museum.

The European institutions have changed the face of Brussels over the past fifty years, particularly in the 19th century Leopold Quarter where Wiertz lived. Originally conceived as an exclusive residential district located just outside the city walls, this neighbourhood has come to be dominated by modern glass-and-steel office buildings occupied by the European institutions.

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the administrative centre of the European Union. The city accommodates most of the institutions of the European Union (i.e. the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and one of the two chambers of the European Parliament). The headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) also contribute to the city’s political significance.

The European Commission is one of the main institutions of the European Union. It represents and upholds the interests of the EU as a whole. It drafts proposals for new European laws. It manages the day-to-day business of implementing EU policies and spending EU funds.

Council of the European Union is also known as the EU Council, this is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies.

European Council is an EU institution where meetings are held by EU leaders. Typically, there are around 4 meetings a year, chaired by a permanent president.

Where is European Commission in Brussels ?

The European Commission has its headquarters in the Berlaymont building. This office building is located at Schuman roundabout at 200 Rue de la Loi in the European district of Brussels in Belgium.

The following Directorates-General departments are also based in the Berlaymont Building : Personnel and Administration (ADMIN), Bureau of European Policy Advisers (BEPA), Communication (COMM), Brussels Office of Infrastructure and Logistics (OIB), Secretariat-General (SG) and the Legal Service (SJ).

Where is Council of the European Union in Brussels ?

The headquarters of the Council of the European Union can be found at the Justus Lipsius building opposite the European Commission building. The European Council is also located in this building.

The building is located in Brussels EU Quarter at Rue de la Loi – Wetstraat 175 next to the Schuman roundabout.

Book Cheap Hotels

Find cheapest places to stay in the heart of Brusssels around the EU Commission in the Berlaymont building and Council of the European Union headquarters located in the Justus Lipsius building.

European Commission Address : Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200, BE-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, Belgique/België

Council of the European Union Address : Justus Lipsius building, Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat, 175 BE-1048 Bruxelles/Brussel, Belgique/België

Brussels is an interesting city to visit for all members of the family. There is the Parlamentarium, where interactive displays take visitors through the processes of the EU Parliament, and it explains how the Commission affects all citizens of Europe every day.

Not too far away is the Museum of Natural Sciences which is a family favourite. The centrepiece of the city is the Grand Place, a vast space where there is a flower market, interesting architecture, coffee shops, local artists and plenty of sights to photograph. This square in central Brussel or Bruxelles offers different things throughout the year and there is always something amazing to see.

Close by is a selection of high-end stores if shopping is on your list of things to do. Other places to see include a beautiful cathedral, quaint streets, a fine art gallery and a huge park called Cinquantenaire. Of course, no visit to Brussels is complete without stopping by the famous fountain featuring a statue of a small boy answering the call of nature!

Restaurants and bars are plentiful in Brussels. Dine out on fine cuisine or burgers and chips, with everything in between on offer too. Take time to taste silky Belgian chocolate and delicious Belgian waffles before you leave as well.

Getting around Brussels is easy as there is a great transport system to hand. Hotels near the European Parliament complex are close to a choice of buses and trains which are easy to use.

Getting from Brussels international airport is straightforward as well; on the basement level of the airport is a train link into the city centre which takes 17 minutes. On the ground floor a number of buses pick up passengers and take them to various destinations around Brussels.

There is also a bicycle hire system called Villo Bikes and it operates in a similar way to the UK’s Boris Bikes. What a fun and healthy way to see parts of the area in fair weather.

Connections — Brussels (Brussel – Bruxelles) is served by Brussels Airport, located in the nearby Flemish municipality of Zaventem, and by the much smaller so-called Brussels South Charleroi Airport, located near Charleroi (Wallonia), some 50 km (31 mi) from Brussels.

Brussels is also served by direct high-speed rail links: to London by the Eurostar train via the Channel Tunnel; to central Amsterdam, Paris Gare du Nord and Cologne hbf by the Thalys; and to Cologne and Frankfurt main rail station by the German ICE.

Relevant information — www.europarl.europa.eu