READING ROOM
Directions
CAVA is located on the Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Ixelles (Elsene), Pleinlaan 2. You can find us on the ground floor (floor 0, at the level of the Singel, the campus ring road) of building B, in room 0.B.033.
Our reading room (room 0.B.036A) is within walking distance of train, metro and bus stops. You can reach us:
By train
Etterbeek railway station, served by the SNCB (NMBS), is located close to the Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus of the VUB. If you arrive by train and exit Ettebeek station, turn to the right. Use the pedestrian crossing to cross the road and take an immediate right. After approximately 30 meters, take the small path on your left. Upon entering the campus one of the first buildings you’ll see is the well-known oval-shaped Braem Building (also known as building M). Buildings B/C are to the right of it. It’s best to follow the pathway that leads you up to the these buildings until you happen across the two round tower-like structures (rotules) halfway between B/C. This is the entrance to buildings B/C (you’ll see a notice board). Enter here and turn to the left immediately entering. Turn left through the white door. You are now in front of a classroom that you’ll have “go around” to get to CAVA. So, take a right, then turn left twice and you’ll walk straight into CAVA.
Warning: There is no elevator in Etterbeek railway station. The nearest railway station with an elevator is Mouterij, located approximately 1.5 km from campus.
By metro
The VUB is also easily accessible through the metro network. Metro stop “Petillon” is within walking distance of the Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus and is served by line 5 (Hermann-Debroux – Erasmus). Both platforms of this metro stop are equipped with an elevator.
From here you can travel to the VUB by tram. Take the exit "Louis Schmidtlaan" and catch tram 7 or 25 at the tram stop "Petillon" (in the direction of Vanderkindere and Boondaal Station respectively).
You can also choose to continue your journey from metro stop "Petillon" to the VUB on foot. It only takes about 15 minutes. Take the exit "Avenue des Volontaires" ("Vrijwilligerslaan"). When exiting the station, turn right. Continue on until you reach the Boulevard du Triomphe (Triomflaan ). Across the road you'll find the VUB campus. Cross the campus and make your way towards buildings F and G. Once you’re on the Esplanade (a concrete path that passes buildings F and G, the restaurant,…), walk straight on until you arrive at the entrance of building B. Take the elevator down to ground 0 or take the staircase. Go through the white door. You’re now in front of a classroom that you’ll have to “go around” to get to CAVA. So, take a right, then turn left twice and you’ll arrive at your destination, CAVA.
By tram
The VUB campus is also accessible by tram. Tram stop "VUB" is served by lines 7 and 25 of the STIB (MIVB). When you arrive at the tram stop, cross the street and follow the path next to the U-Residence and the athletics track towards buildings B/C. It’s best to follow the Singel, the campus ring road, until you reach the two round tower-like structures (rotules) halfway between B/C. Enter here and turn to the left immediately after entering. Go through the white door. You are now in front of the classroom that you’ll have “go around” to get to CAVA. So, take a right, then turn left twice and you’ll walk straight into CAVA.
By bus
Several bus lines have a stop near the Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus. STIB bus 95 (Wiener - Grote Markt) stops at the “Etterbeek Station” stop. The buses on lines 341 (Etterbeek - Waver), 343 (Etterbeek - Maleizen), 348 (Etterbeek - La Hulpe) and 349 (Etterbeek - Ottenburg), all served by De Lijn, stop at the “Elsene Etterbeek Station” stop. Lines 178 (Brussels - Maaseik) and 179 (Brussels - Hamont), also served by De Lijn, stop at the “Elsene VUB Gebouw M inrit 11”, but only on days when there are classes (weekdays). TEC bus C (Louvain-La-Neuve - Wavre - Ixelles) stops at the “Ixelles Plaine” stop.
All these stops are within walking distance of CAVA. Upon entering the campus the first building you’ll see is the well-known oval Braem Building (this is building M). Buildings B/C are to the right of it. It’s best to follow the Singel, the campus ring road, until you reach the two round tower-like structures (rotules) halfway between B/C. This is the entrance to buildings B/C. Enter here and turn to the left immediately. Go through the white door in front of you. You are now in front of a classroom that you’ll have “go around” to get to CAVA. So, take a right, then turn left twice and you’ll walk straight into CAVA.
By shared bike
There is a Villo! Station at Etterbeek railway station. From here it’s barely a five minute walk to CAVA. You can also rent a Blue Bike in one of the larger railway stations in Brussels (Nord (Noord), Central (Centraal), Midi (Zuid) or Luxembourg (Luxemburg)) and cycle to campus.
By car
Use entrance 13 of the VUB. If the boom barrier doesn’t open automatically, contact Security via the intercom and tell them you are visiting CAVA or the University Archives. We recommend parking your car in the car park of building B/C. You need to drive up to the top (next to the entrance you would use when accessing the building on foot). You are now on the ground floor (floor 0) of the building. To the left of where you drove in is the door from the car park into the building. Go past the elevators and take a right. Walk through the white door directly in front of you. Take another right, bypassing the classroom in front of you. Take a left, and another left after that. The orange door in front of you is the entrance to CAVA.
Some parking spots in the car park have been reserved for people with disabilities. Our reading room is very close to the exit of the car park and there is a ramp to enter the building. Don't hesitate to contact us before your visit, zo we can provide the necessary assistance.