A palace in the heart of the city, discover the Meir in Antwerp

The Meir Palace, in the heart of the city of Antwerp, represents over 250 years of extremely well-preserved history. It was designed in the second half of the 18th century by the architect Jan-Peter van Baurscheit on the initiative of the wealthy merchant Johan Alexander van Susteren. He commissioned this sumptuous palace from his fortune made from investments in Ostend society. After his death, the palace was bought by Johannes de Fraula. As the palace was not finished, he had to complete the construction, adding stables and a garden. He sold the palace in 1777 to a couple of Belgian counts. Their daughter, Caroline Marie Joseph, inherited it and sold it to Napoleon I!

This new urban palace, which was largely inspired by French, Viennese and Dutch models, attracted the attention of the Emperor, who bought it in 1811. Its imposing façade, decorated with pilasters and Corinthian capitals, was built using a variety of natural German stone. Napoleon also bought the furniture. Antwerp was one of the most important and dominant military ports of the French Empire at the time. Napoleon wanted to stay there regularly. He therefore appointed Pierre François Léonard Fontaine as his official architect and gave him the task of transforming and fitting out the entire premises in Empire style. The first floor was given over to a series of reception rooms and imperious flats on the garden side. Fabrics and furniture were specially installed and made for him. However, Napoleon never stayed in the Meir Palace, as he was exiled to Elba.

In 1815, the country came under Dutch rule. The famous defeat at Waterloo meant that French property passed into the hands of the new United Kingdom of the Netherlands. The palace, which had been renovated for the Emperor, was now in the possession of the new king, William 1st. He commissioned the furnishing of the Hall of the 17 Provinces. However, after the revolution in 1830, the palace was reclaimed by the new Belgian provisional government.

Now in the hands of the Belgian monarch. A strategic location, the palace was used as a reception centre for royal guests arriving via the port. Leopold II, the second King of Belgium, had the palace decorated, ordered the construction of a new gallery linking two wings of the building and built a hall of mirrors.

Albert 1st stayed here briefly during the 1st World War. However, by the 1960s, as the palace had passed from hand to hand, from emperor to monarch, in a somewhat subversive manner, the royal family no longer considered the palace to be a family property. The monarchy wanted to reconsider its links with the Meir and transform it into a cultural centre. So in 1969, King Baudouin decided to donate the palace to the State, bequeathing it to the Belgian Ministry of Culture. Since then, the Ministry has used the Meir Palace as a venue for receptions and cultural performances. In 2010, the prestigious urban Meir Palace was transformed into a museum.

Over the years, the palace has undergone many changes in keeping with its owners. The main stairwell, which dates back to when the palace was built, leaves a prestigious impression, with rococo motifs, while the wrought-iron balustrade was only added under the rule of King Leopold II a few years later. When Napoleon acquired the property, the entire first floor was decorated in imperial style. In particular, the so-called balcony room played an important role in the history of the palace. The highest monarchs and dignitaries would appear here to greet the crowds. You can then admire no fewer than 4 salons, each more majestic than the last.

A true rococo jewel of the city, in the heart of the city's most effervescent district, the premises can even be hired for a special occasion such as a wedding or a large reception. The palace, which can be visited, also hosts temporary exhibitions such as the Floralien, a competition between the Kingdom's best florists, and is adorned with magnificent arrangements. This magnificent building also houses "the chocolate line", a shop selling prestigious Belgian chocolates. The chocolate factory also has a workshop where you can watch master chocolatiers at work, creating majestic chocolate sculptures.