Îlot Sacré in Bruxelles in Bruxelles-Capitale, Brussels, Belgium — Northwestern Europe

Cinématographe Lumière

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 10, 2026

1. Cinématographe Lumière Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[Français:]
Ici eut lieu le 1er mars 1896 la première séance publique en Belgique du Cinématographe Lumière

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Hommage aux Frères Lumière au précurseur belge Joseph Plateau aux chercheurs et pionniers du cinéma

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Plaque apposée le 1er mars 1956 à l’initiative du Comité National des Travailleurs du Film et avec le concours de la Corporation Cinématographique de Belgique

[English translation:]
Here took place on March 1st, 1896, the first public screening in Belgium of the Lumière Cinematograph.

Tribute to the Lumière Brothers, to the Belgian precursor Joseph Plateau, and to the researchers and pioneers of cinema.

Plaque installed on March 1st, 1956, at the initiative of the National Committee of Film Workers and with the support of the Cinematographic Corporation of Belgium.

Erected 1956 by Comité National des Travailleurs du Film.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical date for this entry is March 1, 1896.

Location. 50° 50.881′ N, 4° 21.315′ E. Marker is in Bruxelles, Région Bruxelloise (Brussels), in Bruxelles-Capitale. It is in Îlot Sacré. It is on Galerie du Roi north of Rue des Bouchers, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Galerie du Roi 7, Bruxelles, Région Bruxelloise 1000, Belgium. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Benelux Low Countries,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire

and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Second Centenary of Cinema Projections in Belgium (here, next to this marker); Galeries St. Hubert (within shouting distance of

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this marker); Neuhaus Chocolates (within shouting distance of this marker); The Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Les Premiers Drapeaux Belges / De Eerste Belgische Vlaggen / The First Belgian Flags (about 150 meters away); Victor Hugo (about 210 meters away); The Execution of the Counts of Egmont and Horn (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bruxelles.

Also see . . . Hidden Belgium: The first film screening in Belgium (The Brussels Times).

On 1 March 1896, a small crowd gathered in the telegraph room of La Quotidien newspaper located at Galeries St Hubert 7 in Brussels. Here they sat down to watch seven short films made by the brothers August and Louis Lumière.

(Submitted on September 17, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 10, 2026

2. Cinématographe Lumière Marker

The marker is located by this storefront in the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 17, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.