🗺️ Comic Book Route in Brussels: Guide and Murals Near Grand-Place

Brussels is undisputedly the world capital of comic strips. Nowhere else on earth is the Ninth Art so intimately woven into the urban landscape, local identity, and the hearts of the residents. If you walk along the historic cobblestones of the city center, you will quickly discover that the city's walls are not mere structures of brick and concrete: they tell stories, vibrate with colors, and celebrate the legendary heroes who cradled our childhood. 🧭

The famous Brussels Comic Strip Route (or Parcours BD), inaugurated in the early 1990s under the impetus of the City of Brussels and the Belgian Comic Strip Center (CBBD), now features more than sixty monumental murals scattered across the blank gables of the capital. Initially designed to embellish urban furniture and hide architectural sores, this trail has become one of the most fascinating and popular cultural attractions for world travelers.

At Big Mama, a family-run restaurant established since 2001 on the picturesque Place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés, we are ideally located at the very heart of this open-air art gallery. The Saint-Jacques district surrounding us houses some of the most beautiful wall paintings in the city. We have created the ultimate guide for a fun, immersive walking tour to do with family or friends, combining pop culture and authentic local gastronomy. Lace up your shoes, we are taking you to meet the giants of the Ninth Art. 🚶‍♂️✨

🎨 The Golden Age of Franco-Belgian Comics in the Saint-Jacques District

The Saint-Jacques district, characterized by its winding narrow streets and beautifully preserved medieval facades, is a true playground for comic book lovers. Leaving the Grand-Place or the Manneken-Pis, you only need to look up to see the city transform into a giant comic strip. This purely Belgian tradition pays tribute to the immense talent of our local writers and artists, from Hergé to Franquin, Morris, Peyo, and Roba.

Just a few steps from our establishment, several major murals deserve a long stop. The most famous is undoubtedly that of Tintin, the mythical quiffed reporter created by Hergé. Located on Rue de l'Étuve, just a few meters from the Manneken-Pis, this monumental mural depicts Tintin, his loyal companion Snowy, and the hot-tempered Captain Haddock escaping down a fire escape in a memorable scene from the album The Calculus Affair. It is one of the most photographed spots in the city, and for good reason: it perfectly summarizes the spirit of adventure and the iconic "clear line" graphic style that revolutionized global comic book art.

Heading further into the Place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés, you will come face to face with the most beloved antihero of Belgian culture: Gaston Lagaffe. Painted on a massive gable on Rue du Grand Carmes, Franquin’s mural captures all the poetry, clumsiness, and absurd humor of this famous office slacker. Gaston is seen, true to form, trying to catch a football with an ingenuity that inevitably turns into an urban catastrophe. It is a visual burst of laughter that fits perfectly into the friendly and relaxed atmosphere of our neighborhood.

🎙️ From Jacques Brel to Olivier Rameau: Urban Poetry Around the Corner

The Comic Strip Route is not limited to adventure tales or humorous gags; it also explores poetic, fantastic, and deeply dreamlike universes. On our very own square, the Place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés, culture comes alive in all its forms. Before sitting down at our table, you will pass the bronze statue of Jacques Brel, who seems to eternally sing for passersby. Right next to it, fans of the fantastic will appreciate the mural of Olivier Rameau, created by Dany and Greg. This colorful, luminous, and whimsical work instantly transports strollers into the dreamworld of Hallucinante, a universe where imagination rules and urban grayness has no place.

A bit further down Rue du Marché au Charbon, the mural of Broussaille, Frank Pé’s tender and environmentalist character, catches the eye of passersby. It shows the young man walking arm-in-arm with his partner Catherine in the middle of an urban landscape where nature is reclaiming its rights. This work is highly symbolic of the Saint-Jacques district: a place of tolerance, diversity, environmental respect, and peaceful living. Strolling from mural to mural allows you to feel the true spirit of Brussels, made of derision, freedom, and permanent creativity.

🗺️ Practical Tips to Master Your Comic Strip Walk

To fully enjoy this open-air cultural exploration without getting lost in the maze of historic center streets, here are a few organizational tips:

1. Take your time: This trail is not a race. The secret to fully appreciating the murals is knowing when to look up, as some paintings are hidden on recessed facades or above charming inner courtyards.

2. Combine culture and comfort: The historic center comic strip loop is about 3 to 4 kilometers long if you target the major works in the heart of the city (Tintin, Gaston, Broussaille, Lucky Luke, the Smurfs). It is the perfect distance for a family outing with young children or a romantic late-afternoon stroll.

3. Prepare your cameras: The changing light of the Belgian sky offers magnificent reflections on the wall paintings, especially at sunset when the warm colors of the brick harmonize with the pigments of the murals.

🍟 The Ultimate Stop: Big Mama’s Warm Dining Room

Such an artistic immersion and a walk through the stories of our childhood inevitably build up a healthy appetite. After photographing Tintin, smiling at Gaston’s blunders, and greeting Jacques Brel, your steps will naturally bring you back to the Place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés. The time has come to close this magnificent urban adventure by pushing open the door of the Big Mama restaurant.

Far from the cold, mechanical, and standardized hustle of large restaurant chains or central tourist traps, it is in the warm dining room of our restaurant that the Brussels experience reaches its gourmet peak. Christine and Thierry welcome you with a smile, generosity, and that unique sense of hospitality that has built our reputation for over two decades.

Settle down comfortably and let yourself be tempted by the absolute, timeless classics of our terroir, prepared with love and precision using fresh products: our authentic, crispy, and melting grey shrimp croquettes, our steaming, copious mussels and fries served in their traditional iron pot, or our rich Flemish carbonnade simmered for long hours in Belgian brown beer and gingerbread.

For children who loved finding the comic books on the walls, we offer a dedicated kid's menu at only €11 (featuring a quick homemade burger or traditional meatballs in tomato sauce with fries).

For adults, our team will gladly recommend the perfect local craft beer to create an ideal food-and-beer pairing.

As our dining room is highly prized by regulars and savvy travelers alike, we strongly advise you to book your table online before setting off on your mural hunt.

We look forward to welcoming you and sharing a true slice of Brussels hospitality.

Bon appétit! 🍻 🎉