Travels and music festivals… I miss that sooo much ! Let’s hope we can go back to a « normal » life ASAP… I am so happy I went to the Francofolies in La Rochelle earlier in July (thanks to my sanitary pass !).. article here: http://french-wine-love.com/2021/08/27/mon-1er-concert-en-2021-francofolies-de-la-rochelle/
1) Flight, train, coach….Various options to consider
Ryanair/EasyJet and Air France
Last year, I decided to go to Brussels only about 10 days before departure time so the flight options were quite out of order because far too expensive for my last minute budget. However there are Ryanair’s flights Bordeaux-Brussels 3 times per week (at the time). You land actually in Charleroi airport which is approximately 50/60 kms South of Brussels, so count with shuttle expenses (you can buy tickets on board or online with Flibco 5€ normally). If you can, I would suggest NOT to travel with Ryanair as this airline might be convenient and cheap for sure but if any problems occur they will let you down, at least in most cases. I will refer this travel in another article as I speak (write !) from own experience when I visited friends in Manchester in May 2019 using the direct & brand new Bordeaux-Manchester connection. Also with Ryanair, your handbag will cost you 8€ extra and if you do not buy this option be careful as it will much more at the airport. Easyjet also flies Bordeaux-Brussels, so better check on this low-cost airline. I travelled quite a few times with them (Italy mainly) and found they were reliable. Just be sure your luggage comply with the restrictions’ size. Air France, if not on strike, is certainly your best option.
SNCF or THALYS or IZY
You can easily make Bordeaux to Brussels on train with SNCF, 2h30 about. ller à Bruxelles: beaucoup moins cher que le train, vous pouvez aller à Bruxelles en bus avec Ouibus (à partir de 15 euros, voire moins en période de promotions, pour un peu moins de 4 heures de trajet depuis Paris). Le gros plus: avec wifi et prises électriques à bord on peut occuper le trajet à travailler ou à surfer tranquille sur internet.
Pour aller à Bruxelles en train avec le Thalys, le mieux, c’est soit de réserver très à l’avance, soit de profiter des promotions (à partir de 25 euros pour un Paris-Bruxelles): réserver au meilleur prix. Il y a des tarifs encore moins cher sur Izy (à partir de 19 euros pour un Paris-Bruxelles) qui est la version low-cost de Thalys, mais les conditions sont plus restrictives: toutes les offres sur Izy.
2) When should you go ?
a) BSF : BRUSSELS SUMMER FESTIVAL ! 15-19 August 2019 (when i went there)
B) FLOWERS FESTIVAL
https://rove.me/to/brussels/flower-carpet-and-flowertime
C) EAT! BRUSSELS, DRINK! BORDEAUX: 05-09 sEptember 2019
For the eighth consecutive year, eat! BRUSSELS, drink! BORDEAUX is giving you a taste of Brussels’ gastronomy. The Bordeaux region is joining again this year with Brussels’ version of Bordeaux Fête le Vin. In between tastings, explore the International Village and its exotic flavours or try our recreational workshops where you can quench your thirst for good food and good wine.
Prawn croquettes contest on Satuday 7 September !
3) Where to stay:
a) in THE HEART OF THE BSF (BRUSSELS SUMMER FESTIVAL) http://www.bsf.be/
When I travel, I always choose a hotel for its location first, by far the most important for me. I also look at comfort/price/cleanliness and friendliness of the staff (also Wifi connection). I like using Booking.com and so far I have always booked places which conformed to the description (I read ALL the travellers’ comments) OR were beyond my expectations.
Hotel La Madeleine is ideal as a location as it is 150m from Grand Place, and was perfect for me as every evening I went to concerts (from 5.30pm at Mont des Arts, BSF vibrating 3 scenes)
Hotel La Madeleine: Rue de la Montagne 20-22 Brusells, Belgique not luxurious but clean
Single bed 
Little office with chair 
Wardrobe 
Sink/Mirror
The Wifi worked VERY WELL
Singers/Bands who were at the BSF 2019. Example with the French band Fatal Picards
B) NEAR THE STATION « MIDI », CONVENIENT FOR MY EARLY DEPARTURE
4) What to visit: city centre and a bit outside
a. City centre : Grand-PLACE, MANNEKEN PIS
B. A BIT FURTHER: PARLIAMENT, ATOMIUM, MINI EUROPE
Parliament/Parlamentarium
Atomium
Mini Europe
5) Belgian gastronomy: French fries,1 fois ! (twice at least)… Waffles, mussels, chocolate and others…
A. FRIES
S’il y a bien une friterie à essayer c’est sans nul doute celle du Café Georgette, en plein centre ville (Rue de la Fourche 37, 1000 Bruxelles). Effectivement les frites y sont délicieuses. Par contre, il vous sera difficile de trouver une place, l’endroit est vraiment très prisé.
B. WAFFLES
C. CHOCOLATES
D. MUSSELS
Je vous conseille vraiment d’essayer l’enseigne. En Belgique ce n’est pas une chaîne comme cela s’est développé en France. Il s’agit d’une véritable institution, les moules frites y sont très bonnes, les prix je dirais assez chers, mais il faut considéré que l’on est dans la capitale…
6) Belgium beers !
Boire de la bière, c’est ce qu’il y a de mieux à faire en Belgique ! J’ai d’ailleurs eu du mal à trouver un bar par la suite pour déguster un verre de vin.. J’ai tout de même trouver ce joli café/bar « Pastel » (Rue de Rollebeek 2, 1000 Bruxelles), même le chien était rose !
7) A stop for a great coffee
Vous pourrez trouver a Bruxelles quelques cafés sympas, et parfois même de vrais torréfacteurs. J’ai particulièrement appréciés ces 2 endroits:
A. PECK 47
Rue du Marché aux Poulets 47, 1000 Bruxelles
B. CORICA COFFEE
Rue du Marché aux Poulets 49, 1000 Bruxelles
You can find in Brussels some great coffee places, just like these two I mentionned.
8) Other websites to help you make the most of Brussels !
Websites in English : https://www.introducingbrussels.com/
Websites in French https://www.introducingbrussels.com/https://www.cityzeum.com/guide/bruxelles https://www.visitonsbruxelles.com/bruxelles-en-48-heures
ENJOY YOUR STAY IN BRUSSELS !