European Parliament

Visit the seat of power

Noteworthy for: At the Parlamentarium visitors centre, you can find out for yourself how proposals become Europe-wide law.
Its sparkling post-modern architecture might not please everyone, but if you really want to get to grips with the workings of the European Union's de facto capital you need to visit its imposing European Parliament building.

While the parliament's main headquarters is in Strasbourg, this glass and steel construction put up in 1989 - called the Espace Léopold - still fulfills a lawmaking role along with the European Council. Despite continent-wide grumbles about the role of "Brussels" the complex has an impressively streamlined, confident feel to it.
There are two ways to catch a glimpse of what goes on inside. You can take a tour of the interactive exhibits at the Parlamentarium or actually sit in on a parliamentary meeting for an hour and experience the EU's polyglot reality. Check the website for dates and time and arrive early, as visitor spaces are limited.