Brussels Comics Figurines Museum

Brussels Comics Figurines Museum is a small but densely packed museum dedicated to comic-book character figurines, tucked away in the heart of Brussels at Rue du Marché aux Herbes 116, on level -1 of the famous Horta Gallery, right behind the large statue of the White Smurf. The museum has been open since 2012, founded by Éric Pierre, a Brussels-born collector who decided to share his private collection with residents and visitors alike.

What can you see inside?

The collection centers mainly on classic Belgian comic characters — Tintin, the Smurfs and Spirou — figures that have shaped Brussels' identity as Europe's capital of the ninth art for decades. Alongside them, display cases hold figurines of American comic-book heroes such as Spider-Man and Batman, as well as manga characters and many other recognizable pop-culture icons. The exhibition goes beyond static figurines: it is complemented by video material, interactive elements, and cartoon screenings in a small, retro-style cinema room, aiming to create an immersive, sound-enhanced experience of the comic-book world.

Why is it worth visiting?

The museum is a fairly compact attraction, so a visit doesn't take long, but it fits naturally into Brussels' broader comic-strip trail — a city where building facades are decorated with large-scale comic murals and where the Belgian Comic Strip Center (Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée) sits nearby. For fans of the ninth art, and especially for families with children, this makes for a natural addition to a stroll through the historic city center. Its location just off the Grand Place and inside the elegant Horta Gallery — one of Europe's earliest covered shopping arcades — makes it easy to fold into a sightseeing route.

Who is behind the collection?

The collection was created and is curated by Éric Pierre, a Brussels-based collector who has been developing the museum since 2012 as a meeting point across generations — for children discovering comics for the first time and for adult connoisseurs who remember the earliest Tintin or Smurfs albums. Visitors have consistently rated the museum highly; Tripadvisor has awarded it a Certificate of Excellence in multiple consecutive years, reflecting stable, positive feedback from tourists.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the museum located? At Rue du Marché aux Herbes 116 in central Brussels, on level -1 of the Horta Gallery, near the statue of the White Smurf.

Which comic-book characters are featured in the collection? Mainly Belgian comic icons — Tintin, the Smurfs and Spirou — alongside American comic characters such as Spider-Man and Batman, plus manga figures.

Since when has the museum been open? Since 2012, founded by collector Éric Pierre.

Is it a large museum? No — it's a compact, privately curated collection that can be visited relatively quickly, making it a convenient stop on a walk through central Brussels.

What makes the exhibition stand out beyond the figurines themselves? Interactive elements, video content, and cartoon screenings in a small cinema room styled after old-fashioned movie theaters.