Place du Jeu de Balle


The Place du Jeu de Balle or Vossenplein is a square located in the heart of the Marolles/Marollen district of Brussels, Belgium. It holds a famous flea market.

History

The square was laid out in 1853. As its French name indicates, it was originally destined for the practice of the Jeu de balle or Balle pelote ball game, which was very popular in Brussels in the 19th century. Its current Dutch name, Vossenplein, recalls that it was built on the site of a locomotive factory, "The Fox Company".
In 1873, the municipal council decided to transfer the Old Market, which occupied until then Anneessens Square, to the Place du Jeu de Balle, a function it has kept to this day.

Notable buildings