rubenstours
A walk with Rubens in Antwerp
Een onvergetelijke stadswandeling doorheen het 17e-eeuwse Antwerpen met de beroemde schilder Peter Paul Rubens in hoogsteigen persoon.
A walk with Rubens
An unforgettable walk through Antwerp with Peter Paul Rubens in person
Peter Paul Rubens died on May 30th 1640. Rubens was probably the greatest painter Antwerp has ever known. He was an extraordinary artist but also a superstar, a man of the world, a top entrepreneur, a diplomat, a spy and above all an Antwerp citizen.
Four centuries later, Rubens inexplicably rose from the dead and takes you on a walk through the Antwerp of his time, the aftermath of the Antwerp golden age.
Rubens will show you some of the most important places in his life. He takes you to his own Rubenshouse where he worked and lived with his two wives. Even the Queen of France personally visited this place. He will take you to the house 'De Cleynen Sint-Arnold'. This is his mother's house where Rubens spent his teenage years. He will show you his impressive grave in Saint Jacob's Church. He walks to the old Papenschool where he learned Latin and he will take you to the Cathedral of Our Lady where you can admire some of his most important paintings. Before you realize it, you will be back in the 17th century
Peter Paul Rubens
Peter Paul Rubens (1577) was a painter, draftsman and diplomat. He was born in Siegen (Germany) and lived in Antwerp most of his life where he trained as a painter with three different Antwerp masters. He became famous as a court painter of the duke of Mantua and the archdukes Albrecht and Isabella. From his studio in Antwerp he made paintings for all major churches and the important monarchs of his time. The queen of France, the king of England and the king of Spain, they all wanted works by Rubens. Peter Paul Rubens married twice. His first wife was Isabella Brant who died from the plague. After her death he married the beautiful Helena Fourment, who was 37 years younger. On May 30th 1640, Peter Paul Rubens died of gout. They say that he would have died during the act of love because his youngest daughter Constanza was born exactly 9 months after his death.
Geert Beullens
Peter Paul Rubens is enacted by Antwerp actor Geert Beullens. He lived in Antwerp for almost his entire life, where he studied Dutch literature and philosophy. As an actor, he likes to play the role of historical characters and bring them back to life. In his childhood Peter Paul Rubens was everywhere. The name 'PP Rubens' appeared in large white letters on a huge biography in the parental bookcase and a visit to the Rubens House with the school was a regular occurrence. It is therefore a great honour that he can now show people his beloved Antwerp as Rubens.
Book a tour
Request a private group-tour
Wil u samen met familie, vrienden, collega’s of leerlingen een tour boeken met Rubens?
Dat kan de hele week door van maandag tot zondag vanaf 6 personen.
Daarvoor kan u telefonisch contact opnemen +32 (0)495 -72 33 09 of een aanvraag indienen via het requestpage on the website
Let us know how many people are in your group and which time and date you would like to book.
Tours for events and companies
Voor evenementen, scholen en bedrijven zijn speciale formules mogelijk. Aanvragen kunnen via het requestpage on the website or via email.
Prices and practical info
- toegang tot de kathedraal niet inbegrepen
- Children (-12) €10/ pp
All tours start at the Rubenshuis (Wapper 9-11, 2000 Antwerpen)
De tour duurt ongeveer twee uur. Indien gewenst zijn er langere tours beschikbaar.
The tour is suitable for all ages
De tours zijn vanaf 6 personen. Als u met minder wil komen, dat kan uiteraard ook, maar u betaalt dan vanaf 6 personen.
Rubens spreekt de volgende talen: Nederlands, Frans, Engels, Spaans (met vertaler)
Voor meer inlichtingen en informatie kan u steeds bellen op Rubens privenummer: +32 (0)495 / 72 33 09
Contact form
Bookings for groups
You can place a booking for a group by filling in the contact form on the right.
Bookings for events and companies
Special formulas are possible for events and companies. You can submit an application using the form on the right, but you can always send us an email. You will find the contact details at the bottom of the website.
FAQ
We are with a smaller group. Can we also go out with Rubens?
Uiteraard kan u dat. Rubens doet al rondleidingen vanaf 1 persoon. Je betaalt dan wel het basisbedrag van 6 personen.
Is a walk with Rubens wheelchair-friendly?
Yes of course. Although there were no wheelchairs in the 17th century, Rubens ensures that wheelchair users can also get through his city safely and without any problems.
Does Rubens also takes a walk when it rains?
Ja! Rubens kan goed tegen de regen. Elke wandeling gaat steeds door zoals vastgelegd, tenzij bij zware storm.
Zijn er nog extra kosten?
Tijdens de tour bezoeken we meestal ook de OLV-kathedraal. Daarvoor wordt een extra toegangsprijs gerekend. Voor bewoners uit de provincie Antwerpen is een bezoek aan de kathedraal gratis. Voor andere bezoekers wordt er een extra bedrag van 10 euro aangerekend.
What language does Rubens speak on his walk?
The individual tours are in Dutch, English or French. Rubens is a man of the world so depending on the composition of the group he will change his language. For the group tours you can of course ask in advance which language you want. If necessary we can also provide a Spanish interpreter.
