About us

Korei Guided Tours will amaze you and broaden your view of Brussels, the city where discovery never stops.

For over 30 years, Korei's guides have been showcasing the city's diversity. Past and present are linked to show how architecture, art, heritage, and public space reflect the spirit of the times. This makes the invisible visible and gives the familiar new meaning.

Driven by a love for Brussels and a passion for sharing knowledge, our guides enrich your visit with dialogue, context, knowledge, and insights you won't find anywhere else. A guided tour deepens, surprises, and connects.

Our audience

From architecture enthusiasts to subject matter experts, from art lovers to students and active seniors: our activities connect approximately 25,000 people annually, from both within the country and abroad, from socio-cultural organizations and businesses.

We reinvest a portion of our income from commercial assignments so that we can make our tours more affordable for non-profit and social initiatives.

For more than 30 years

Together with a few enthusiastic fellow guides, Arlette Clauwers founded Korei in 1995. Their love of telling stories about the past through architecture, visual arts, and heritage formed the basis of the guide organization that Korei is today.

Korei?

The name Korei comes from Ancient Greek. Korè (plural: korai) means young woman or girl, the female counterpart of the kouros. In ancient Greece, korai were depicted as statues of women or goddesses, in marble or terracotta, sometimes with one arm bent in front of the body and a dove in the hand as a gift to the gods. Over time, the korè evolved into an architectural element: the caryatid, a sculpted column in the shape of a pillar that supports the building on its head.

The serenity, elegance, strength and mystery of these figures were very appealing. That is why Korei was chosen as the name in 1995. Like the caryatids, we are bearers of stories and history, guiding visitors through cultural heritage with care and insight.

The Korei guides

Korei Guided Tours is a dynamic team of no fewer than 60 freelance guides, each with their own expertise. Our multilingual team of guides consists of architects, engineers, art historians, and other specialists. For our guides, architecture is more than just buildings; it is a living story of dreams, ideas, and transformations.

Brussels Biennale of Modern Architecture

In 2014, the Brussels Biennale of Modern Architecture (BBMA) was founded by Korei Guided Tours. The BBMA broadened the cultural experience of Brussels by introducing the general public to its (lesser-known) modernist heritage, also known as "young heritage."

Post-war modernism is not always regarded as valuable heritage. The use of new materials and techniques often makes buildings more difficult to age. Research and awareness-raising about the specific significance of this heritage remains necessary. Since 2014, the BBMA has played a pioneering role in this regard and is actively committed to highlighting the value of young heritage.

View our selection of modernism in Brussels here.

Accountability for images used

We have made every effort to identify and acknowledge all rights holders with regard to visual material. Anyone who believes that their material has been used here without prior permission is requested to contact us.