The Royal Museum of Mariemont
Musée royal de Mariemont

Antiques and artifacts galore from all over the world are held in the not so well known museum of Mariemont.

Tucked away in an arboretum, the Royal Museum of Mariemont is a hidden gem holding a private collection of artifacts from Ancient Egypt, Greece, China, Japan and some local antiques too. The area is mostly known for the arboretum, but if you’re here it’s worth popping into the museum too.

Museum highlights: in the main collection you’ll see paintings made for a villa in Pompei and a 3m tall statue of Cleopatra. The permanent collection are pieces from Raoul Waroqué, a Belgian industrialist

• Local history: the History of Mariemont exhibit displays local history from its connections to Queen Mary of Hungary and its industrial past. Lots of local details and history that aren’t easy to find anywhere else.
• Pottery craze: Waroqué went all out in collecting Tournai pottery. Most of the collection is from the 18th century. The exhibit takes you through Belgium’s ceramic history and the techniques that were used.
• Temporary exhibits: the Royal Museum of Mariemont hosts regular exhibitions, usually on a time in history or art movement. Check their website to see what’s on
• Library: the museum has a free to visit library with 130,000 volumes open to the public. It’s usually used by researchers and students, but anyone is welcome to enjoy the quiet.
• Slice of Japan: The museum also has a Japanese teahouse, where they sometimes hold tea ceremonies but check their website when they’re held.