Welcome to the European Parliament, the heart to see and explore here, from visits of the Hemicycle to essential for understanding the EU of today, and the of democracy in the European Union (EU), which a cutting-edge visitors centre that is one of Brussels’ House of European History offers a unique insight into THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT represents 500 million people. The European top attractions. It’s all designed to showcase the Europe’s shared history. All the activities are completely Parliament’s official seat is in Strasbourg, France, but European Parliament, how it works and what it does for free of charge, and most are available in each of the EU’s COME AND BE PART OF IT much of its work is conducted in Brussels. There’s plenty EU citizens. Being aware of Europe’s broader past is also 24 official languages. EP SPOTTER 5 HEMICYCLE VISITS Going on a visit of the Hemicycle is a great way to get to EP Spotter is a brand new application to help you explore 6 grips with the basics of the European Parliament. You’ll have and discover the European Parliament campus. From the opportunity to soak up the parliamentary atmosphere architectural details to political background, EP Spotter and get a glimpse of the European Parliament’s vast art uses the GPS/geolocalisation in your smartphone to guide collection, and if you visit during a plenary sitting you may you around the outside of the European Parliament and 5 even be able to watch one of the major debates or votes. tell you a little more about the European Parliament, its buildings, the personalities they are named after and the 2 Individual visitors can discover the European Parliament history of the area. with the help of a multilingual media guide. The visit takes 30 minutes and no advance booking is required. If you want to discover what there is to spot, download EP Spotter from the Apple App Store or Google Play! (Currently only available in English.) 4 Visit times Monday - Thursday 09:00 - 16:00 Friday 09:00 - 12:00 Saturday - Sunday closed Additional visits are offered in July and August. STATION EUROPE WELCOME CENTRE 1 1 Belliardstraat Our staff members are also available to respond to individual visitors’ questions and give a more personalised Station Europe is the perfect place to start your visit to the HOUSE OF EUROPEAN HISTORY briefing. Briefings take place on Mondays at 11:00 and 15:00 European Parliament in Brussels. Located in the original 4 and are held in English or French (other languages may be ticket office of the Brussels-Luxembourg train station, offered if available). In July and August, additional slots are Station Europe can guide you through all there is to discover The House of European History offers visitors of all ages available. Please consult our website. on the campus and in Brussels itself. 3 the chance to view the continent’s history from different perspectives and reflect on what these diverse stories mean Groups are equally welcome and can find out about the Friendly staff are on hand to point you in the right direction for us today. The museum features exhibitions, events and a European Parliament with the help of one of our engaging or you can discover the European Parliament for yourself: collection designed to create a reservoir of shared European speakers. Visits may even include a discussion with a Member explore the campus with an augmented reality model, dive memory. of the European Parliament. Advanced booking is required, into the past with touchscreen tables, or see the campus please see our website for more info and opening times. grow through peephole dioramas. There are also tailored resources for schools and families. Advance booking is required for groups of 10+. Please see the museum website for more info. ESPLANADE Museum facilities include a café, gift shop and cloakroom. PARLAMENTARIUM These, as well as the materials, have been designed to make 2 SOLIDARNOŚĆ 1980 3 them fully accessible to those with special needs. Honouring the values and achievements of the Solidarity Experience the European Parliament as never before at the trade union founded by Polish workers in 1980, the Esplanade groundbreaking Parlamentarium, located in the Willy Brandt Solidarność 1980, with the Agora Simone Veil at its centre, building. defines the European Parliament campus and connects its PROTOCOL ENTRANCE buildings to Place du Luxembourg, Brussels-Luxembourg Through dynamic, interactive multimedia displays and with 6 train station and Parc Léopold. the help of a personal media guide, adults and children Located in the Paul-Henri Spaak building, which houses The Esplanade hosts more than 40 public events every year, alike can discover what European democracy is all about the Hemicycle, the Protocol Entrance is where the run by the European institutions and other organisations. in exciting and refreshing new ways. Get to the heart of European Parliament welcomes VIPs such as presidents, the action at the European Parliament in a stunning 360° prime ministers and even famous actors. Luminaries and cinema, and see how its Members represent you. Then take a dignitaries regularly visit the European Parliament, and this entrance gives visitors a chance to catch a glimpse of virtual trip through Europe using our interactive map to see them on their way to or from discussions on the issues of the impact the EU has had in each of the Member States, or the day. The location of this entrance, 60 at rue Wiertz, is sit back in a comfortable armchair while people from around Opening times Opening times the official address of the European Parliament, which is Europe share their stories of how the EU affects them. why your GPS probably directed you here! Monday 13:00 - 18:00 Monday 13:00 - 18:00 Opening times A visit to the Parlamentarium usually takes around 90 minutes, with shorter one-hour tours for families and school groups – Tuesday - Friday 09:00 - 18:00 Tuesday - Friday 09:00 - 18:00 Monday - Friday 09:00 - 18:00 just ask for the Luna game or the Intergalactic Talent Show. Saturday - Sunday 10:00 - 18:00 Saturday - Sunday 10:00 - 18:00 Saturday - Sunday 10:00 - 18:00 The facilities, including a café and gift shop, are fully accessible Last entry 30 minutes before closing. Last entry 30 minutes before closing. to those with special needs. Your European GETTING THERE des SciencesInstitut Naturelles Royal de Belgique Parliament pocket guide 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. UNION EUROPEAN Wetstraat - Rue de la Loi Wetstraat PAULHENRI SPAAK Committee of the Regions Hemicycle Visits 12 21 European Economic Rue de Pascale and Social Committee Protocol Entrance Rue du Remorqueur Rue Wiertz Rue Wiertz Brussels EUROPEAN UNION EUROPEAN of the Regions and Social Committee Social and 22 27 34 38 64 80 95 European Economic Committee Rue Belliard Trains to Brussels-Luxembourg station ALTIERO SPINELLI ALTIERO SPINELLI Brussels-Luxembourg station is located beneath the Rue d’Ardenne Atrium K Chaussée de Wavre R Esplanade. O E N U R A A AGORA N D MIDI E A SIMONE VEIL D D A E TRAIN STATION CENTRAL N D B- LUXEMBOURG Parlamentarium A Rue Godecharle A R B LUXEMBOURG U N ER O NORD K WILLY BRANDT JÓZSEF ANTALL Walking 12 21 22 27 64 34 38 80 95 MAELBEEK 5 min. Rue de Trèves Station Europe Rue de Trèves Rue d'Idalie It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the European E S Rue de la Loi Parliament from the city centre. Rue du Trône Luxembourg Rue Belliard Rue Montoyer Place du Place N Cycling W Villo! is Brussels’ public bike hire scheme, Rue du Parnasse Rue du Luxembourg which allows you to pick up a bicycle at one Rue d’Arlon Rue d’Arlon 5 min.TRÔNE Rue d’Arlon docking station and drop it off at another. ➜ Entrance to European Parliament campus There are three docking stations near the 20 min. CITY CENTRE ➜ To nearest metro stations European Parliament. ➜ To the European institutions ➜ To City centre ISBN 978-92-846-4958-7 DOI 10.2861/07868 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 CONTACT INFORMATION ? Chancellor of Germany after the of Belgium, Paul-Henri Spaak was also considered a founding father of i 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 Parlement européen/Europees Parlement reconciliation between France and union and in drafting the Rome treaties, of inspiration for its strengthening in buildings, you may notice that they are named after Place du Luxembourg/Luxemburgplein, 100 Germany possible, paving the way which laid down the initial provisions the 1980s and 1990s. He served as a prominent figures from European politics and history. 1050 Bruxelles/Brussel for broader European integration. establishing the EU. His vision of Member of the European Commission These individuals have all made a significant contribution For visits to building the European Union as we know it today: Adenauer is considered to be one of European cooperation made him one of for 6 years, starting in 1970, and as a Rue de la Science the founding fathers of the EU.