Hotels near Grand Sablon

The Grand Sablon is the centre of Belgian chocolate in Brussels, home to some of the country's most famous chocolatiers. Wittamer, a family patisserie founded in 1910, sits on the square, alongside boutiques from well-known names such as Pierre Marcolini.

In December, the chocolate shops fill their windows with festive creations, and the square's antique shops and the Gothic Notre-Dame du Sablon church add to the elegant atmosphere. It is the perfect place to buy edible Christmas gifts.

The Petit Sablon garden, with its bronze statuettes, is across the road and worth a quick look. Several cafés on the square also serve rich Belgian hot chocolate.

Pro Tip: Buy a box of pralines from one of the chocolatiers as a gift; they travel well. Visit on a weekday afternoon, when the shops are less busy than on Saturdays.