Paleis op de Meir
Paleis op de Meir
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Paleis op de Meir and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,451 within 5 kms
Attractions
218 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
225 reviews
Excellent
74
Very good
101
Average
32
Poor
9
Terrible
9
Iweinvanaalst
Lille, Belgium599 contributions
Apr 2012 • Couples
Paleis op de Meir is commissioned in 1745 by Johan Alexander van Susteren, a rich merchant. In origin it is a rococo palace with an elaborate front and two side wings around a courtyard.
In 1811 the palace is bought by Napoleon. He has it divided into four apartments and refurnished in empire style.
In 1815 the palace is at the disposal of Willem I, king of the United Netherlands. He orders the construction of the prestigious dutch salon.
In 1830 the palace becomes the Antwerp residence of the belgian monarchs.
The last important alterations are commissioned by king Leopold II in 1905. They include the construction of a mirror hall for feasting and of a connection gallery between (the back of) the two side wings of the edifice.
In 1969 king Boudewijn hands the palace over to the belgian government.
Paleis op Meir has been extensively restored since 2004 and can be visited with guide by individuals or groups. Tickets are to be booked in advance.
Everything about the palace breaths prestige :
As illustrated above a walk through the palace is a stroll through local history from the eighteenth century onward.
Our guide had a degree in art history and a passion for the palace. She knew every little detail about the decoration of the rooms and the furniture, from the type of wood of the floor to the name of the sculptor of the chairs.
The rooms boast their original furniture and you can tell no cost has been spared for the restoration of floors, ceiling and wall decoration and curtains. Highlights include the staircase hall, the dutch salon and the mirror hall.
At the ground floor of the palace you’ll find the café imperial (a de luxe brasserie) and the chocolate line (shop of renowned chocolatier Dominique Persoone).
I fear however that a visit to the palace will only fully be appreciated by a select audience with a high interest in art history as most rooms are only sparsely decorated and the comments by the guide will be too detailed for most visitors.
In 1811 the palace is bought by Napoleon. He has it divided into four apartments and refurnished in empire style.
In 1815 the palace is at the disposal of Willem I, king of the United Netherlands. He orders the construction of the prestigious dutch salon.
In 1830 the palace becomes the Antwerp residence of the belgian monarchs.
The last important alterations are commissioned by king Leopold II in 1905. They include the construction of a mirror hall for feasting and of a connection gallery between (the back of) the two side wings of the edifice.
In 1969 king Boudewijn hands the palace over to the belgian government.
Paleis op Meir has been extensively restored since 2004 and can be visited with guide by individuals or groups. Tickets are to be booked in advance.
Everything about the palace breaths prestige :
As illustrated above a walk through the palace is a stroll through local history from the eighteenth century onward.
Our guide had a degree in art history and a passion for the palace. She knew every little detail about the decoration of the rooms and the furniture, from the type of wood of the floor to the name of the sculptor of the chairs.
The rooms boast their original furniture and you can tell no cost has been spared for the restoration of floors, ceiling and wall decoration and curtains. Highlights include the staircase hall, the dutch salon and the mirror hall.
At the ground floor of the palace you’ll find the café imperial (a de luxe brasserie) and the chocolate line (shop of renowned chocolatier Dominique Persoone).
I fear however that a visit to the palace will only fully be appreciated by a select audience with a high interest in art history as most rooms are only sparsely decorated and the comments by the guide will be too detailed for most visitors.
Written 24 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelpal600
Tucker, GA156 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
This beautiful palace is now a hotel, restaurant, and chocolate shop. They encourage people passing by to come in and see the murals and chandeliers. The chocolate shop features a bust of Napoleon carved out of chocolate. Smells as good as it looks.
Written 13 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marilyn A
Kitchener, Canada569 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
Very stunning location and beautiful for its new uses. The chocolate shop and demonstration area were wonderful. I can imagine living here!
Written 15 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike O
Colebrook, NH11 contributions
Jun 2024 • Solo
THIS PALACE IS NOT OPEN!!! Don't plan on going here, there is no one there. No information on why, who to talk to, or even where the entrance is or when it might be open. The shops in the building are open but have nothing to do with the palace and act like they have no idea what's going on. BAD!!!
Written 18 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
UnEspertoViaggiatore
Europe80 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
Basically this is an old apartment that Napoleon Bonapart had fixed. Ten rooms with some scanty furniture from the 800 and basically that's it. I visited it on heritage day so it was free but I wouldn't go there if I had to pay a ticket.
Written 1 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LolaGo1
Washington DC, DC6,633 contributions
Sept 2017 • Solo
I learned from the staff of Chocolate Line that the palace is no longer open to visitors. In its place are the Chocolate Line that makes and sells delicious chocolates and the restaurant behind it.
I looked around the store and bought some chocolates.before leaving this attraction.
I looked around the store and bought some chocolates.before leaving this attraction.
Written 29 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francesca
Brussels, Belgium32 contributions
Mar 2017 • Family
This former palace now houses a hotel, restaurant/cafe and chocolate shop. Don't hesitate to walk into the courtyard while passing by on the Meir, take a look at the beautiful paintings in the chocolate shop and look at the staircase on the other side in the cafe - they don't mind you just walking through. Definitely worth a little stop as you wander through Antwerp :)
Written 24 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alyssa G
47 contributions
Sept 2016 • Friends
'Paleis op de Meir’ is a different building than shown on the pictures. ‚Paleis op de Meir’ Is located and is definitely worth a visit. Inside you will find a restaurant on the left ‚Café Imperial’ which is a bit more chique. You can also visit the small chocolate factory on the right (free of charge). Where you can buy amazing chocolate (but it is quit expensive) and if you walk to the back of the store you can see the chefs preparing the chocolate figures.
The building on the pictures is a little shopping mall; also located on the Meir but next to the shop 'Urban outfitters'; called ‚shopping Stadsfeestzaal’. This is also really beautiful ont he inside as it has great architecture and decorations. You can have a drink inside or visit some shops.
The building on the pictures is a little shopping mall; also located on the Meir but next to the shop 'Urban outfitters'; called ‚shopping Stadsfeestzaal’. This is also really beautiful ont he inside as it has great architecture and decorations. You can have a drink inside or visit some shops.
Written 15 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
l-a d
Antwerp, Belgium116 contributions
Sept 2016 • Solo
These are photos of the impressive shopping mall on the Meir. The Palace on the Meir is a little further down and used to be the Antwerp stay-over palace for the royal family in the olden days. it was last used by the late King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola in the late sixties.
Written 13 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Guluten
Antwerp, Belgium23 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
The visit is not so interesting and quite expensive for the things we can find inside. Even with guide I would not visit it again.
Written 19 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing