13. Pathé Palace Cinema

The Pathé Palace is the first example of a cinema of the “brasserie-concert” type in Brussels. It was designed by the architect Paul Hamesse and built in 1913 in the geometric Art Nouveau style which already foreshadows Art Deco. The architect also maintained certain Eclectic elements from the auction house which previously occupied the site. The cornice of the main façade is crowned by a fruit basket topped by a rooster, the symbol of the Pathé Brothers company which had it built. The cinema could accommodate 2,500 people and included a parterre, two balconies, foyers, annexes and a huge bar on the lower floor; this exceptional capacity made it “the biggest cinema in the capital”. After a long process of restoration, the Palace reopened in 2018. The visit focuses on the Hamesse foyer and gallery which were restored to their original state.