From a small medieval village in the 13th century, Obbrussel, a passageway for merchants, brigands and armies, to the transformations of the industrial revolution at the end of the 19th century and the construction of the Gare du Midi and industrial zones with a high concentration of a working-class population, the district changed its appearance with the appearance of major urban axes, the result of the growth of Brussels, with its points of attraction such as the parvis de Saint Gilles and the Barrière, where beautiful mansions in Art Nouveau style are real architectural jewels.

We'll start our walk with a visit to the famous Hotel Hannon, recently opened to visitors. The masterpiece of architect Jules Brunfaut, this building was built in the best traditions of total art and decorated with the participation of masters of the applied arts: beautiful stained glass windows, fantastic floral motifs on the main landing, unusual door handles. Nearby, on the same street, is an astonishing owl house. One of Art Nouveau's favorite and most mysterious birds.

As you stroll around Brussels, do you really want to look behind the facades of the buildings and discover what's hidden behind them? During our walk, we'll have the opportunity to enter the little-known interior garden (officially called Parc de l'Abbé Froidure), which is laid out along a small passageway leading to a parallel street.Did you know that in the commune of Saint Gilles there is a prison still in use, which looks more like a medieval castle? For this small-town commune, with its town hall the size of that in the center of Brussels, is like a manifesto of the progressive ideas of the Saint-Gilles liberals, with a vision of society based on the ideals of progress, science and secularism. It's not surprising to note a high concentration of talented artists such as Paul Hamesse, Jef Lambeaux, Albert Ciamberlani, Louise de Hem, Gustave Strauven, Julien Dillens and others. And it's no coincidence that a number of artists attracted by this freedom of expression have chosen to set up their studios in this commune.

We'll admire the house-workshop of Paul Hamesse, designer of the famous Art Nouveau cinema Pathé Palace in the center of Brussels. In the same rue Jef Lambeaux, the author of the famous bas-relief of human passions, whose workshop was just a few meters from the street, we'll admire an astonishing flower-filled house in the spirit of Art Nouveau.Gustave Strauven, Brussels' specialist in narrow facades, was also active in the district, with his polychrome facade adorning the Avenue Paul Dejaer, which leads us to the Barrière de Saint Gilles. A nerve center of the commune.

Let yourself be carried away by the magic of Art Nouveau.