BRUSSELS – For the second year running, Brussels can boast its very own city centre beach.

Friday saw the opening of Bruxelles Les Bains, a kilometre-long stretch of artificial beach, created from 4,000 tonnes of sand trucked in from the North Sea.

The dock at the Quai aux Peniches was turned into a seaside last year too, attracting more than 500,000 visitors.

It’s now back for 2004, surrounded by palm and olive trees and bamboo.

Beach bums can enjoy it until August 22.

It will be open from Tuesday to Thursday, from 11a.m. until 8 p.m. and from Friday to Sunday until 10 p.m.

For more information, see www.bruxelleslesbains.be

[Copyright Expatica 2004]

Subject: Belgian news