Grand-Place in the context of "Flamboyant"

The Guilds of Brussels (French: Guildes de Bruxelles; Dutch: Gilden van Brussel), grouped in the Nine Nations of Brussels (French: Neuf Nations de Bruxelles; Dutch: Negen Naties van Brussel), were associations of craft guilds that dominated the economic life of Brussels in the late medieval and early modern periods. From 1421 onwards, they were represented in the city government alongside the patrician lineages of the Seven Noble Houses of Brussels, later also in the States of Brabant as members of the Third Estate. As of 1421, they were also able to become members of the Drapery Court of Brussels. Together with the Seven Noble Houses, they formed the city's bourgeoisie. Some of their guildhouses can still be seen as part of the Grand-Place/Grote Markt (Brussels' main square), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Town Hall (French: Hôtel de Ville, pronounced [otɛl də vil] ; Dutch: Stadhuis, pronounced [stɑtˈɦœys] ) of the City of Brussels is a landmark building and the seat of that municipality of Brussels, Belgium. It is located on the south side of the Grand-Place/Grote Markt (Brussels' main square), opposite the neo-Gothic King's House or Bread House building, housing the Brussels City Museum.

Erected between 1401 and 1455, the Town Hall is the only remaining medieval building of the Grand-Place and is considered a masterpiece of civil Gothic architecture and more particularly of Brabantine Gothic. Its three classicist rear wings date from the 18th century. Since 1998, it is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the square. This site is served by the premetro (underground tram) station Bourse - Grand-Place/Beurs - Grote Markt (on lines 4 and 10), as well as the bus stop Grand-Place/Grote Markt (on lines 33, 48 and 95).

The Brussels City Museum (French: Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles [myze də la vil də bʁysɛl]; Dutch: Museum van de Stad Brussel [myˈzeːjʏɱ vɑn də stɑd ˈbrʏsəl]) is a municipal museum on the Grand-Place/Grote Markt of Brussels, Belgium. Conceived in 1860 and inaugurated in 1887, it is dedicated to the history and folklore of the City of Brussels from its foundation into modern times, which it presents through paintings, sculptures, tapestries, engravings, photos and models, including a notable scale-representation of the town during the Middle Ages.

The museum is situated on the north side of the square, opposite Brussels' Town Hall, in the Maison du Roi ("King's House") or Broodhuis ("Bread House" or "Bread Hall"). This building, erected between 1504 and 1536, was rebuilt in the 19th century in its current neo-Gothic style by the architect Victor Jamaer [fr]. Since 1998, is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the square. It can be accessed from the premetro (underground tram) station Bourse - Grand-Place/Beurs - Grote Markt (on lines 4 and 10), as well as the bus stop Grand-Place/Grote Markt (on lines 33, 48 and 95).

During the Nine Years' War, the French Royal Army carried out a bombardment of Brussels from August 13–15, 1695. Led by King Louis XIV and the Duke of Villeroi, French forces bombarded the city in an attempt to divert Grand Alliance troops from reinforcing the concurrent siege of Namur. The bombardment ultimately proved to be the most destructive event in the history of Brussels, destroying a third of the buildings in the city, including the Grand-Place/Grote Markt (Brussels' main square).

After the bombardment, reconstruction efforts over the following years profoundly changed the appearance of the city and left numerous traces still visible today. The French attempt to divert the Grand Alliance was ultimately unsuccessful, though Louis XIV's reputation suffered for his involvement in the destruction of the city.

Bourse - Grand-Place (French, pronounced [buʁs ɡʁɑ̃ plas]) or Beurs - Grote Markt (Dutch, pronounced [ˈbøːrs ˌxroːtə ˈmɑr(ə)kt]) is a premetro (underground tram) station in central Brussels, Belgium, located under the Boulevard Anspach/Anspachlaan, next to the Place de la Bourse/Beursplein and the Bourse Palace, after which it is named. It is also located metres from the Grand-Place/Grote Markt (Brussels' main square).

The station is part of the North–South Axis, a tram tunnel crossing the city centre between Brussels-North railway station and Albert premetro station. Brussels trams stopping at that station are the lines 4 and 10. A connection with bus routes 46, 48, 86 and 95 is possible at ground level.