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Musical Instruments Museum (Musee des Instruments de Musique)

Rue Montagne de la Cour 2, Brussels 1000, Belgium
32 (02) 545-0130
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Ranked #6 of 177 attractions in Brussels
Type: Speciality Museums
Activities: Dining, City walk sightseeing
Owner description: As soon as it opened at the end of the 19th century, the luxurious Old England department store earned an excellent reputation for its highly... more » Owner description: As soon as it opened at the end of the 19th century, the luxurious Old England department store earned an excellent reputation for its highly distinctive building. The entrance to the building is a jewel of the Art nouveau style while the rest is in perfect harmony with the neoclassical ensemble on the Place Royale, and just around the corner from the Grand Place and Central Station, no less! It's here in this architectural gem that the MIM took up residence in June 2000. The museum's reputation is mainly built on its extraordinary collections. With a wealth of some 7000 instruments, the MIM is currently an internationally renowned instrumental museum. Once inside, you'll embark on a true tour of the musical world. After your trip past the some 1500 pieces on exhibit, the instruments and their history will no longer hold any secrets: from viole da gamba from the Court of Brussels to the 20th century theremin, and even including the African kora! And be sure not to miss our area devoted to the instruments of Adolphe Sax. The MIM is nothing other than a place to experience music. An infrared headphone system allows each visitor to explore the thematic tours to the tune of the melodious sound of the instruments presented. Translation is no problem. Everyone knows that music is a universal language. « less
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496 reviews from our community

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York
Top Contributor
152 reviews 152 reviews
27 attraction reviews
Reviews in 39 cities Reviews in 39 cities
159 helpful votes 159 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 May 2013 NEW

This internationally renowned museum with over 8000 instruments on display is a real treat for muso's and the casual visitor alike. There is so much to see that it needs a full afternoon to do it any type of justice and even then you feel as though you've skimped. What is really unique about this museum is the nature of... More

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See 4 more reviews by QXZWS for Brussels
Bucharest, Romania
Top Contributor
151 reviews 151 reviews
80 attraction reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
108 helpful votes 108 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 May 2013

been here for the first time in september 2012 and again in may 2013, still in my top 3 brussels attractions. very interactive, the tour is unique because you will be able to listen to almost all music instruments in the museum. i haven't seen a musical intruments museum in other cities of europe so if you are in brussels... More

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See 22 more reviews by deired for Brussels
Athens, Greece
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 May 2013

A large collection of instruments mainly from Europe, but other part of the world as well. Personal audio guide with sound from many of the instruments. A nice cafeteria at the top of the museum with breathaking view to the Mont des Arts.

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Belgrade, Serbia
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 May 2013

The building itself if it were empty could be a museum, it's simply beautiful. Added to that are so many instruments and varieties, beyond anything you thought you know about them. And you can hear most of them playing. It's really a place worth visiting.

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See 2 more reviews by markorosic for Brussels
Reston, Virginia
Top Contributor
155 reviews 155 reviews
36 attraction reviews
Reviews in 48 cities Reviews in 48 cities
39 helpful votes 39 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 May 2013

My wife and I visited this unique museum in Brussels recently. I have not see a similar museum in other major European or American cities. One receives a gadget upon entering the museum. One then goes to the two floors where antique musical instruments are displayed in cases. one can hear beautiful music by the various musical instruments displaced in... More

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See 12 more reviews by Farhad A for Brussels
Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013

Went to the highly recommended roof terrace restaurant for a coffee - the two members of staff we encountered were clearly expecting people way more important than we were. One word summed their attitude up - 'whatever'. And a cappuccino isn't like a Starbucks one - we got a double espresso with thick cream on top. The MIM itself was... More

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See 4 more reviews by Fiferover94 for Brussels
Avon Lake, Ohio
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3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 May 2013

Earphone are part of admission price. Each display of instruments plays its own music. There is no wordy description of the display... only beautiful music. A picture will pop-up showing you exactly which instrument is playing. No need to touch any buttons. The headset is automatic, it will play the instrument you are standing in front of. After touring the... More

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Brooklyn, N.Y.
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
15 attraction reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 May 2013

Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels can not be compared to any other attraction for two reasons: its extraodinary building, and its extraodinary collection. The museum is housed in the Art Noveau gem "Old England" former department store, and once you saw THAT, you will remeber it, probably, forever. But nothing will surprise you more then the collection of countless exotic,... More

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See 5 more reviews by Marina A for Brussels
Durham, United Kingdom
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4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 May 2013

Found the female staff rude and unattentive. Male staff were ok but hardly friendly. Once I'd paid my 8 Euros to a miserable looking woman on the till I went to enter the museum and was told I couldn't come in with my coat on... why? Anyway, I duly did as I was requested and left my coat with the... More

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Nottingham, United Kingdom
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 May 2013

The collection of instruments is so large you will need at least 2 hours to see everything. It covers many floors, which was once a department store. On arrival you are handed an audio set, which will play the sound of the instrument you are standing in front of. I have never come aross anything like this before and it's... More

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