Brussels is a treasure-trove of heritage gems. The purpose of the "Brussels, City of Art and History" series is to make them accessible to those who wish to discover them.

Anecdotes, previously unpublished documents, historic illustrations, comments and thoughts on town planning, architecture and artistic aspects - a feast of material to whet the appetite of the reader and the visitor.

The Galeries Royales Saint Hubert, the Galerie Bortier, the Passage du Nord : the three arcades in Brussels shaping the approach to a phenomenon which was to develop throughout Europe in the 19th century.