M-Museum Leuven is an art museum in the center of Leuven, Belgium, that showcases the visual culture of the past and present. It was officially opened in 2009 and has a collection of about 46,000 works, ranging from paintings and sculptures from the late Gothic period to local artists from the 16th century to the 19th century Flemish masters. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, as well as various activities for families, children, and adults.
The ticket price for M-Museum Leuven is 12 euros for adults, 10 euros for seniors and groups of 15 or more, and free for children under 13 and residents of Leuven. There are also discounts for students, teachers, and holders of certain cards. You can buy tickets online or at the museum’s reception desk.
M-Museum Leuven is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Thursdays, it stays open until 10 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays and some public holidays. You can check the opening hours on the museum’s website before your visit.
To get to M-Museum Leuven, you can take public transport, bike, or walk. The museum is located in the historic center of Leuven, near the Grote Markt and the Sint-Pieterskerk. The nearest bus stop is Leuven Dirk Boutslaan, which is served by several bus lines. The nearest train station is Leuven Station, which is about a 15-minute walk or a 5-minute bus ride from the museum. There are also bike parking facilities near the museum.
Some tips for visiting M-Museum Leuven are:
- Plan your visit in advance by checking the current exhibitions and activities on the museum’s website.
- Book a guided tour if you want to learn more about the museum’s collection or a specific exhibition. You can choose from different themes and languages.
- Enjoy a drink or a snack at the M-Café, which has a terrace overlooking the city.
- Browse the M-Shop, which offers a selection of books, catalogues, postcards, and souvenirs related to the museum and its exhibitions.
- Visit the Sint-Pieterskerk, which is adjacent to the museum and houses some masterpieces by Dieric Bouts and other Flemish painters.
Tours are available for groups of up to 15 people, with or without a guide. You can book a tour online or by phone at least three weeks in advance. The tours last about an hour and cost 60 euros per group (plus the entrance fee). You can choose from different themes and languages, such as:
- M Highlights: A tour of the museum’s permanent collection, featuring works by Dirk Bouts, Rogier Van der Weyden, Constantin Meunier, Jef Lambeaux, and others.
- M Contemporary: A tour of the museum’s temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, featuring works by local and international artists.
- M Customized: A tour tailored to your interests and preferences, based on a dialogue with the museum’s staff.
Some of the things to see at M-Museum Leuven are:
- The Disque by Ann Veronica Janssens: A large circular mirror that reflects the light and colors of the surrounding space, creating a dynamic optical effect.
- The Last Supper by Dieric Bouts: A masterpiece of Flemish painting from the 15th century that depicts the scene of Jesus and his disciples at their final meal before his crucifixion.
- The Procession by Jean Mayné: A painting from the 19th century that portrays a religious procession in Leuven with realistic details and vivid colors.
- The installation by Leen Voet: A series of paintings that explore elements from cultural, personal, and historical contexts with a touch of humor.
- The sculpture by Huma Bhabha: A monumental sculpture that combines different materials and forms to create an expressive human figure.
Some of the prohibitions at M-Museum Leuven are:
- No photography or filming inside the exhibition rooms without permission from the museum staff.
- No touching or leaning on the artworks or display cases.
- No eating or drinking inside the museum (except at the M-Café).
- No smoking inside or outside the museum (except at designated areas).
- No pets allowed inside the museum (except guide dogs).
