Ixelles & Flagey
Flagey neighbourhood guide: a day out, by Lara
The ponds, the square, the quiet streets behind Sainte-Croix: how I'd suggest spending a day in Flagey, shop included.
By Lara — published on 2026-08-25
Flagey isn't a neighbourhood you pass through: it's one you stay in. Here's the day I'd suggest to visitors from further afield — and to anyone who's lived in Brussels for ten years without ever making it down to the ponds.
Morning: the Ixelles ponds
Start at the ponds, early, when the light filters through the trees. It's the most beautiful, quietest moment in the neighbourhood.
Then head up towards Place Flagey and its great ocean-liner-shaped building, the heart of the area.
Midday: the square and its terraces
Flagey lives at the table. Terraces, cafés, the weekend market: it's a neighbourhood where you eat well without booking three weeks ahead.
Afternoon: the streets behind the church
That's where I am, Rue Lanfray, behind Sainte-Croix church. The streets there are quieter, more residential, and it's the right moment to push open some doors: independent shops, workshops, neighbourhood addresses.
Come by Lära, have a look, pick up the objects, taste if a bottle happens to be open. It's a lovely time of day to stop and chat.
End of day: taking something home
The ideal: a bottle of natural wine for that same evening, and an object that will stay. That's exactly why the shop exists.
Getting there
Flagey is easy to reach by bus and tram, and by bike from almost anywhere in Brussels. By car, allow extra time for parking: it's a lively neighbourhood, so it's a busy one.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Flagey in Brussels?
- Place Flagey is in Ixelles (1050), south-east of central Brussels, near the Ixelles ponds.
- How do I get to Lära from Place Flagey?
- A few minutes on foot: go round Sainte-Croix church, and the shop is at Rue Lanfray 15.
- Which day is best to visit Flagey?
- Saturday for the buzz and the market, Wednesday or Thursday for a quieter neighbourhood and an unhurried visit to the shop.
To go further