Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) - Brussels
The Musical Instruments Museum — known locally as the MIM in both French (Musée des instruments de musique) and Dutch (Muziekinstrumentenmuseum) — occupies the Old England building on the Mont des Arts slope in central Brussels. The building itself, completed in 1899, is one of the finest surviving examples of Belgian Art Nouveau commercial architecture, with its iron-and-glass facade designed by Paul Saintenoy.
The collection runs to more than 8,000 instruments from every continent, according to the museum's own documentation, making it one of the largest museum collections of musical instruments in the world. The instruments are grouped by region, period and type, and the museum provides wireless headphones so visitors can hear each instrument as they pass it. The audio system is a recognised part of the visitor experience and is frequently cited in visitor accounts.
The museum occupies several floors of the Old England building and the adjacent annex. A rooftop restaurant offers views across the lower city toward the Grand Place — a practical reason to combine a museum visit with a meal, particularly in poor weather. Brussels's climate makes rainy-day cultural visits common; Visit Brussels lists the MIM among its recommended options for wet-weather activities.
The MIM sits on the Mont des Arts, within walking distance of the Magritte Museum, the BELvue Museum and the Place Royale. This cluster of institutions makes the district a logical base for a half-day of museum visits. The Brussels Museums network (brusselsmuseums.be) lists the MIM and provides current visitor information; admission details and opening hours should be confirmed directly with the museum before visiting, as they are not replicated here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should you allow for the Musical Instruments Museum?
Allow about 90 minutes for a focused visit, or longer if you want to follow the audio system through several instrument galleries and include the rooftop restaurant.
What makes the MIM audio system useful?
The museum provides wireless headphones so visitors can hear instruments as they move through the galleries, turning the collection into a listening visit rather than only a display of objects.
Is the MIM easy to combine with other Brussels museums?
Yes. It sits on the Mont des Arts near Place Royale, the Magritte Museum and the BELvue Museum, so it works well as part of a half-day museum route above the Grand Place.
Sources: Musical Instrument Museum, Brussels - Wikipedia • MIM - Musical Instruments Museum - Brussels Museums • Museum of Musical Instruments in Brussels - Brussels.info • Must-see attractions in Brussels - Visit Brussels