Villa Empain: refined Art Deco luxury

Villa Empain is one of Brussels' most enchanting Art Deco gems. Built in 1930 on behalf of Baron Louis Empain, son of the successful industrialist Edouard Empain, and designed by architect Michel Polak, the villa exudes exceptional elegance with its symmetrical shapes, luxurious materials and iconic swimming pool in the garden. Villa Empain has had an eventful history and was purchased by the Boghossian Foundation in 2006. The building was listed in 2007 and its restoration, carried out under the Foundation's supervision, was awarded the Europa Nostra Prize. Since 2010, Villa Empain has become a vibrant meeting place where Eastern and Western cultures come together.

Art deco squat

During a guided tour, you will discover not only the refined architecture, but also the surprising details that make the building so unique: the marble floors that glow softly in the daylight, the richly decorated salons and the view of the swimming pool and the garden surrounding it. In every room, you can feel how craftsmanship and aesthetics go hand in hand here. Our guide brings the history of the Empain family to life and shows how the villa evolved from a private residence, exhibition space for students, embassy, television station and squat to an international centre for art and dialogue.

In addition, temporary exhibitions are a valuable addition to your visit. On request, the interior tour can be combined with these. The guide interweaves the stories of the villa with the exhibition. This makes Villa Empain not only an architectural discovery, but also a cultural experience that leaves you stimulated and inspired—a place you definitely want to see with a guide by your side.