A trip to Brussels isn’t complete without a visit to the Fine Arts Museum – it was certainly the highlight of my short break, where I was kindly led by our knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide Marina.

Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1803, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts is the most revered artistic instituion in Belgium. Housing a permanent collection dating back to the early 15th century, the museum features works from Paul Gauguin, Jacques-Louis David, Pieter Breugel the Elder, Peter Paul Rubens, and of course Rene Magritte. Unlike any other national museum of its kind, the Fine Arts Museum of Beligum hosts six separate museums within the Museumplein, including the Magritte Museum, Old Masters Museum, and Fin-de-Siecle Museum. Expertly curated, the museum’s collections lead visitors through Belgian history, from the gothic stylings of the Flemish Primitives to the vivid contemporary work of Jan Fabre.

Being led through the museum with an expert guide was a certainly a treat and proved to be very inspiring. While the museum’s collection is striking in its own right, having the opportunity to hear the secrets of the museum, fanastical tales of mediaeval artists and their muses, and the personal passion of our guide immeasurably elevated our experience.