City Go

The land where the Grote Markt stands was donated to the city in 1220 by Duke Henry I of Brabant. Soon after the first annual markets, also known as the Brabant Fairs, were organised. At the end of the 15th centuryAntwerp became the most prominent city of the Low Countries, with merchants arriving from England, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Northern German Hanseatic cities. The centrepiece of the square is a large fountain, known as the Brabo Fountain. It was built in 1887 and according to legend, Brabo was a local hero who killed the giant Antigoon and cut off his head and hands. The giant was demanding a high toll to each ship that wanted to enter the city. The square is surrounded by 16th-century Guildhalls, restaurants and cafes. In Winter it hosts the Christmas Market and an ice rink.

The Tuileries Garden is located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. The garden dates from 1564 and was named after the tiles factories that previously stood on the site. It was re-landscaped in 1664 which gave it its current formal French garden style, and opened to the public in 1667. The Arc de Triomphe du Carroussel, located in the Tuileries Garden, was built between 1806 and 1808 to celebrate the Napoleonic victories of 1805. It was supposed to be the entrance of the Tuileries Palace but when the palace burnt down it was accepted that the arch stood well on its own. It was inspired by the arch of Septimus Severus in Rome. Opening hours : June to August- 7am to 11pm; last Sunday in March to 31 May, and from 1 September to the last Saturday in September- 7am to 9pm; last Sunday in September to the last Saturday in March- 7.30am to 7.30pm Entrance Free How to go : Concorde, Palais Royal and Musée du Louvre metro stations.