The remarkable story of 453 Avenue Louise in Brussels

Brussels today is a vast, multilingual capital and the de facto heart of the European Union. Its grand institutions, elegant townhouses and leafy boulevards give little hint of the fear that once gripped the city. Yet among its wide avenues, one address in particular carries a story that still lingers in the air.

Number 453 Avenue Louise is not simply another handsome building along one of Brussels’ most prestigious streets. During the Second World War, it became the headquarters of the Gestapo in occupied Belgium. What happened here, and what followed in the skies above the city, connects this refined boulevard to one of the most audacious acts of resistance in wartime Europe.

The Gestapo takeover

When Germany invaded Belgium in 1940, Brussels fell under occupation. Avenue Louise, with its imposing façades and air of quiet prosperity, was an unlikely setting for terror. Yet at number 453, the Gestapo established its Brussels headquarters.

Behind the doors of this elegant townhouse, interrogations were conducted, resistance members were imprisoned and families were torn apart. The building quickly became a symbol of fear. For many Bruxellois, simply passing along the avenue carried a sense of unease. The grandeur of the street masked the brutality within.

Among those personally affected by the occupation was Baron de Selys Longchamps , a member of a prominent Belgian noble family. His father was arrested and died following mistreatment by the Germans. For the young Baron, the occupation was no longer a distant political reality. It was deeply personal.

From Brussels to Britain

Like many Belgians determined to continue the fight, de Selys Longchamps escaped to Britain. There, he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and trained as a fighter pilot. Flying the powerful Hawker Typhoon, he became part of No. 609 Squadron.

Yet even as he flew missions over occupied Europe, Brussels remained firmly in his mind.

He knew exactly where the Gestapo had installed themselves. He knew the façade, the street layout, the approach from the south. Avenue Louise was not an abstract target on a map. It was a place he had walked.

The unauthorised mission

On 20 January 1943, during a low level sortie over Belgium, Baron Longchamps broke formation. Without official authorisation, he turned his Typhoon towards Brussels.

Flying at rooftop height along Avenue Louise, he lined up number 453 in his sights. Residents would have heard the roar of the engine before they saw the aircraft sweeping between the buildings. He opened fire on the Gestapo headquarters, strafing the façade and inflicting significant damage. Several German officers were killed or wounded.

Before departing, he dropped small Belgian flags over the city, a symbolic gesture that transformed the attack from an act of revenge into a message of defiance. For the people of Brussels, it was a moment of extraordinary morale. The occupiers were not untouchable - even here, on their own chosen street, they could be struck.

Back in Britain, de Selys Longchamps was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery. At the same time, he was reprimanded for disobeying orders. His mission had not been sanctioned. It was a rare instance in which personal conviction overrode strict military discipline.

He was killed later that year in a flying accident, aged just 31.

Visiting Avenue Louise today

These parts of history should not be forgotten, and it is important that people continue to visit places such as 453 Avenue Louise to ensure that memory endures.

Today, Avenue Louise is known for its boutiques, cafés and its proximity to the Bois de la Cambre. Trams pass elegant façades and well dressed locals move between galleries and restaurants. Unless you know the story, you could walk straight past number 453 without a second glance. Yet standing before it offers a different kind of travel experience, one that looks beyond landmarks and into the deeper layers of a city shaped by occupation, resistance and courage.

The former Gestapo headquarters is not a standard stop on most Brussels walking tours, which tend to focus on the Grand Place and culinary highlights. However, those wishing to explore this chapter of history can enquire about bespoke tours with operators such as

Legends of Brussels or Brussels By Foot. It is also easy to combine a visit with nearby sights including the Bois de la Cambre, the Horta Museum or the cafés of Place du Châtelain.

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