In the Grand Place car park, a new permanent exhibition Pompes à essence à travers les âges (Petrol pumps Through the Ages) has just opened. This project is supported by the FSA Fund (the Belgian Foundation for Automobile and Motorbike Heritage), managed by the King Baudouin Foundation, and traces the development of petrol stations and mobility.

The exhibition is located at level -1 and is open to everyone, whether you arrive by car or on foot. Historical petrol pumps are on show, arranged in dialogue with today’s electric charging stations, representing the past, present and future of our mobility. The iconic Shell petrol pumps were donated by Belgian Shell over twenty years ago to the FSA Fund, which is now responsible for their conservation and promotion.

Highlighting our technical heritage

The scenography was designed by Pierre Vesters, who is well-known for his work at Autoworld. In addition to showing the development of design and technology, this exhibition also highlights the impact of the automobile on our society and way of life.

The FSA Fund’s Mission

The FSA Fund, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation, works to preserve, study and promote Belgium’s automobile heritage, including through archives, technical and journalistic documentation, books, advertising material, films and posters that reflect the history of mobility in Belgium. The Fund acquires and conserves such material thanks to donations, bequests and long-term loans, and it supports research projects, publications and exhibitions. In this way, it contributes to safeguarding this technical and cultural heritage, which is often little known, as well as preserving it for future generations.

Connecting our heritage and future

This exhibition highlights how heritage can contribute to our thinking about contemporary issues of mobility. By presenting historical objects alongside modern solutions, the project aims to raise awareness and inspire the public about the constantly evolving nature of mobility.

Practical information:
Pompes à essence à travers les âges
Parking Grand-Place, level -1
1000 Brussels
Free access and open at all time