Welcome to the European Parliament, the heart centre that is one of Brussels’ top attractions. EU of today, and from 2016 the House of European of democracy in the European Union (EU), which It’s all designed to showcase the European History will offer a unique insight into Europe’s THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT represents 500 million people. There’s plenty Parliament, how it works and what it does for shared history. All the activities are completely to see and explore, from expert guided tours EU citizens. Understanding Europe’s broader free of charge, and most are available in each COME AND BE PART OF IT of the Hemicycle to a cutting‑edge visitors past is also essential for getting to grips with the of the EU’s 24 official languages.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT INFORMATION OFFICE IN HEMICYCLE TOURS 1 BELGIUM 5

Located in the original building of the Brussels-Luxembourg Taking a tour of the Hemicycle is a great way to get to grips train station, the Information Office is the contact point with the basics of the European Parliament. You’ll have for the Belgian public, press, and academic and cultural 6 the opportunity to soak up the parliamentary atmosphere organisations, together with anyone who has an interest and get a glimpse of the European Parliament’s vast art in European affairs and the role of the European Parliament COMING SOON collection, and if you visit during a plenary sitting you may and its Members. The Information Office holds seminars, IN 2016 even be able to watch one of the major debates or votes. events and exhibitions, bringing the European Parliament closer to all sections of Belgian society. 5 Individual visitors can discover the European Parliament 2 with the help of a multilingual media guide. The tour takes Are you looking for information on a specific topic? The 30 minutes and no advance booking is required. Information Office also provides visitors with reports and information on all aspects of both the European Parliament Opening times and the EU as a whole. Monday - Thursday 10:00 and 15:00 It is one of 35 such offices in cities around the EU, which can 4 help you stay in touch with the European Parliament and Friday 10:00 keep you up to date with what it’s doing. Saturday - Sunday closed Additional tours are offered in July and August.

Group visits, for 20 to 100 people, last 90 minutes and 1 must be booked online two months in advance. A speaker Rue Belliard introduces visitors to the role and work of the European Parliament, and the visit may even include a discussion with one of its Members. These tours take place all year round, except on public holidays and days when the European Parliament is closed. 3 Opening times Monday - Thursday 09:00 - 17:00

Friday 09:00 - 12:00

Saturday - Sunday closed

ESPLANADE The facilities, including a café and gift shop, are fully accessible this exciting new project is developing. Once it has opened, PARLAMENTARIUM to those with special needs. HOUSE OF EUROPEAN HISTORY a warm welcome will await you at its historic location in Parc PROTOCOL ENTRANCE 2 SOLIDARNOŚĆ 1980 3 4 Léopold, just behind the European Parliament. 6

Honouring the values and achievements of the Solidarity Experience the European Parliament as never before at What springs to mind when you think of European history? Located in the Paul-Henri Spaak building, which houses trade union founded by Polish workers in 1980, the the groundbreaking Parlamentarium, located in the Willy Is it an event, a personality, a place or something else altogether? the Hemicycle, the Protocol Entrance is where the Esplanade Solidarność 1980 – with the Agora Simone Veil Brandt building. Within three years of opening, this European European Parliament welcomes VIPs such as presidents When it opens in 2016, the House of European History will at its centre – defines the European Parliament campus Parliament visitors centre had already welcomed more than and prime ministers. World leaders regularly visit offer visitors a chance to view the history of our continent and connects its buildings to the Place du Luxembourg, a million people. the European Parliament, and this entrance gives from different perspectives and reflect on what these diverse the Brussels-Luxembourg train station and Parc Léopold. visitors a chance to catch a glimpse of them on their Through dynamic, interactive multimedia displays and with histories mean for us today. way to or from discussions on the issues of the day. The Esplanade hosts more than 40 public events every year, the help of a personal media guide, adults and children The museum will feature exhibitions, events and a permanent run by the European institutions and other organisations. alike can discover what European democracy is all about The location of this entrance, 60 at rue Wiertz, is the collection designed to create a nucleus for a reservoir of in exciting and refreshing new ways. Get to the heart of official address of the European Parliament, which is why shared European memory. the action at the European Parliament in a stunning 360° your GPS probably directed you here! cinema, and see how its Members represent you. Then take a The museum will be accessible to everyone, from those with virtual trip through Europe using our interactive map to see Opening times just a passing interest to history buffs, and will serve as a the impact the EU has had in each of the Member States, or learning space for exploration, engagement and enjoyment. sit back in a comfortable armchair while people from around Monday 13:00 - 18:00 International partnerships will also help to make it a rich Europe share their stories of how the EU affects them. Tuesday - Friday 09:00 - 18:00 resource perfect for encountering the continent’s past, present and future. A visit to the Parlamentarium usually takes around 90 minutes, Saturday - Sunday 10:00 - 18:00 with shorter one-hour tours for families and school groups – Before the museum opens its doors to the public, check out just ask for the Luna game or the Intergalactic Talent Show. Last entry 30 minutes before closing. the European Parliament’s online visitors’ pages to see how COMING IN 2016 Your European GETTING THERE des SciencesInstitut Naturelles Royal Parliament pocket guide de Belgique

The European Parliament is easily accessible by bus, metro and train. We strongly recommend using public transport, House of European History given the limited parking in the area.

Closest metro stations PARC LÉOPOLD MAELBEEK M 1 5 ➜ 10 min Rue Vautier

TRÔNE M 2 6

SCHUMAN Musée Wiertz Buses stopping at the European Parliament 10 min Wetstraat - Rue de la Loi Wetstraat PAULHENRI SPAAK Hemicycle Tours 12 21 Protocol Entrance Rue du Remorqueur Rue Wiertz 22 27 34 38 64 80 95 Rue Wiertz Brussels Rue Belliard

Trains to Brussels-Luxembourg station ALTIERO SPINELLI ALTIERO SPINELLI Chaussée de Wavre

Brussels-Luxembourg station is located beneath the

Rue d’Ardenne

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A SIMONE VEIL D CENTRAL B- LUXEMBOURG D A E TRAIN STATION N D Parlamentarium A Rue Godecharle A R B LUXEMBOURG NORD U N ER O K

WILLY BRANDT JÓZSEF ANTALL Walking 12 21 22 27 64 34 38 80 95 It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the European MAELBEEK 5 min Rue de Trèves Information O ce Rue de Trèves Rue d'Idalie

Rue de la Loi Parliament from the city centre. Rue Belliard Luxembourg Rue Montoyer Place du

Cycling

Villo! is Brussels’ public bike hire scheme, Rue du Parnasse

which allows you to pick up a bicycle at one Rue du Luxembourg Rue d’Arlon 5 min TRÔNE Rue d’Arlon docking station and drop it off at another. ➜ Entrance to the European Parliament campus There are three docking stations near the 20 min CITY CENTRE ➜ Direction to nearest Metro stations European Parliament. ➜ Direction to the European Institutions Rue du Trône ➜ Direction to the the City Centre

www.europarl.europa.eu/visiting KONRAD ADENAUER PAUL-HENRI SPAAK ALTIERO SPINELLI WHO ARE THEY? GENERAL ? Konrad Adenauer, the first As Foreign Minister and Prime Minister Italian politician Altiero Spinelli is i CONTACT INFORMATION Chancellor of Germany after the of Belgium, Paul-Henri Spaak was also considered a founding father of As you make your way around the European Parliament Second World War, made instrumental in founding the Benelux the EU, and was an important source reconciliation between France and union and in drafting the Rome treaties, of inspiration for its strengthening in Parlement européen/Europees Parlement buildings, you may notice that they are named after Rue Wiertz/Wiertzstraat, 60 B-1047 Brussels prominent figures from European politics and history. Germany possible, paving the way which laid down the initial provisions the 1980s and 1990s. He served as a These individuals have all made a significant contribution for broader European integration. establishing the EU. His vision of Member of the European Commission For visits Adenauer is considered to be one of European cooperation made him one of to building the European Union as we know it today: for 6 years, starting in 1970, and as a [email protected] the founding fathers of the EU. the greatest contributors to the early Rue de la Science Member of the European Parliament europarl.europa.eu/visiting stages of the EU, and he is regarded as for 10 years, from 1979. Brussels one of its founding fathers. facebook.com/europeanparliament

JÓZSEF ANTALL WILLY BRANDT SIMONE VEIL József Antall was the first Willy Brandt was the fourth Chancellor Simone Veil is a French politician democratically elected Prime of Germany. He was awarded the Nobel who made major contributions to Minister of Hungary after the fall of Peace Prize for his efforts in improving women’s rights and equality. In Communism. He guided Hungary relations with East Germany, Poland 1979, she was the first elected towards the European Union and and the Soviet Union. Brandt was a President of the European Parliament argued for a united Europe. Member of the European Parliament following the first direct elections For other questions relating from 1979 to 1982. across the European Community. to the European Parliament © European Union, 2015 – EP europarl.europa.eu/askEP epthinktank.eu/author/epanswers

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Kunst-Wet - Rue Belliard Belliardstraat Troon Troonstraat - Rue du Trône Wetstraat - Rue de la Loi Wetstraat Arts-loi

Kunstlaan - Av. des Arts Kunstlaan - Av. des Arts Regentlaan - Bld. du Régent Regentlaan - Bld. du Régent