The Cheese Box. 🧀
Locals call the main building the "Caprice des Dieux" because it looks exactly like the packaging of that famous French cheese.
The Hemicycle
You can visit the massive debating chamber for free. Grab a multimedia guide and watch democracy happen (or watch empty seats, depending on the schedule).
Parlamentarium
Next door is the visitor center. It has a 360-degree cinema and interactive maps. It turns dry politics into a surprisingly engaging sci-fi experience.
The Starship. 🚀
The headquarters of the European Commission. It is a massive X-shaped building clad in moveable glass louvers. It looks like it just landed from 1960s space.
The Architecture
It was designed to represent transparency. Ironically, you can't really go inside unless you have official business. It is best admired from the Schuman roundabout.
The Press Room
If you watch the news, you've seen the blue backdrop. This is where the decisions that regulate everything from phone chargers to banana curvature are announced.
Cinquantenaire
Just behind it lies the Parc du Cinquantenaire with its massive triumphal arch. It is the perfect place to escape the concrete and watch diplomats jogging.
Eastman Building
From War to Union
Why We Are Here. 🗺️
This museum doesn't just show the EU; it shows the bloody history of Europe that made the EU necessary. It is located in a beautiful Art Deco dental clinic (yes, really).
The Tablet:
You are given a tablet at the entrance that automatically detects where you are and translates everything into your language. It is a seamless, tech-heavy deep dive into 20th-century history.
The Politician's Fries. 🍟
Just a 10-minute walk from the Parliament is Place Jourdan. In the center stands **Maison Antoine**, arguably the best fritkot in the city.
The Queue
You will see interns, tourists, and high-ranking MEPs all standing in the same line. The smell of beef tallow is the great equalizer.
The Bar Rule
The surrounding bars (like *L'Espadon*) have a deal: you can bring your fries inside and eat them at their tables, as long as you order a beer. It is the perfect EU compromise.