Egmont Palace, the home of the Count

Visit Brussels - Jean-Paul Remy

This opulent city palace was the residence of Lamoral, Count of Egmont. Two beautiful parks take us back to the grandeur of a bygone era. Welcome to Egmont Park and Square du Petit Sablon.

Two beautiful parks

Egmont Palace is steeped in centuries of history. Admire the palace’s majestic facades from Egmont Park, once its private garden. Explore bronze statues and magnificent mature trees. Take a break at the palace’s former orangery, La Fabrique en Ville, a cosy spot offering Brussels craft beers and delicious home-made desserts.

Just a short stroll away lies Square du Petit Sablon, a stunning gem of Flemish Renaissance architecture. This enchanting spot doubles as both a tranquil park and an open-air museum. Wander among dozens of statues, some depicting the historic Brussels guilds, others paying tribute to great humanists such as Mercator. Stroll past carefully clipped boxwood hedges, each one symbolising a Belgian province, and find yourself face to face with the statue of the Counts of Egmont and Horn.

A sunny park scene with people lounging on lush green grass under a blue sky. A grand building with multiple windows stands in the background, flanked by large trees.

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From Egmont to global diplomacy

Egmont Palace was built in the mid-16th century by Princess Françoise of Luxembourg and her son, Lamoral I of Gavere, the latter better known as the Count of Egmont. A loyal statesman, he served the Spanish Crown. After the Egmont family line came to an end, the palace passed to the Arenberg family. Since the 20th century, it has been owned by the Belgian federal government and used as a prestigious venue for major diplomatic meetings in national and international politics.