Discover Books and Chess in the Vieille Bourse
Categories: Traveling | General
Directly bordering the square stands the Vieille Bourse (Old Stock Exchange), widely considered the architectural crown jewel of the city. While the ornate 17th-century Flemish Renaissance facade is magnificent from the outside, the true highlight lies within its internal cloister, accessible via four central arched passageways.
From Tuesday through Sunday afternoons, the sheltered courtyard transforms into a peaceful open-air market filled with vintage bookstalls, retro movie posters, and antique coin dealers. Visitors are welcome to linger, watch locals engage in intense games of chess, or listen to the ambient chatter echoing off the historic brick arcades.
