Mini Europe and Océade to close

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Opened in 1989, Mini Europe attracts over 300,000 visitors per year and, with a turnover of 7.5 euros each year is a profitable tourist attraction located in the shadow of the Atomium.

The Brussels authorities have announced that the permits for Mini Europe and the nearby Océade are to be withdrawn at the end of the year. The site of the two popular attractions will make way for a shopping centre and a real estate project.

Mini-Europe has for a long time been a unique experience which allows a tourist to visit a mini version of the old continent in just a few minutes. This “invitation to travel” includes the chimes of Big Ben, the gondolas in front of the Doge’s Palace, the Grand-Place in Brussels, the Acropolis in Athens, the leaning tower of Pisa and many more of the 350 landmarks of Europe.

The 116 staff of the tourist venues were in tears when informed of the decision, particularly given the profitable status of the projects and the fact that they are being abandoned by the city authorities for a shopping centre and a real estate project.