Why go à Anvers?

Antwerp is less well known to French tourists, who prefer Brussels, Bruges or Ghent. Yet Antwerp is well worth a visit, for while it may not have kept its picturesque canals, its historic center boasts magnificent architecture, mainly from the ^15th and ^16th centuries, starting with the Grote Markt (main square), framed by its Mannerist town hall and guild houses, and its monumental cathedral. The city boasts a multitude of museums and art galleries, lively cosmopolitan neighborhoods brimming with world-famous restaurants, concept stores and designer boutiques... The Flemish capital and capital of Belgian fashion, the city's language, its streetcars and its port, where the docks have become alternative places to go out, make it a refreshing change of scenery. The city's healthy economy makes it a fairly expensive place to stay, visit and dine.