Can Brussels still save Philippe Geluck’s Musée du Chat project?
For people living in Brussels, EU staffers working nearby and visitors who know the city through its comic-strip identity, the issue is not only whether Le Chat gets a museum.7 million to €17.8 million. That explains Geluck’s calculation.
In 30 seconds
- Philippe Geluck wants to withdraw from the Brussels Musée du Chat project, according to BX1 and DH.
- BX1 reports the project cost has risen from €11.7 million to €17.8 million.
- The planned site is on Rue Royale, between the BIP and Bozar in central Brussels.
- The artist’s non-profit was expected to fund interior works, now reported at about €7 million.
The subject is the planned Musée du Chat et du dessin d’humour in Brussels, associated with Belgian artist Philippe Geluck and his comic character Le Chat. The project concerns a Rue Royale site near Bozar and the BIP, with the Brussels-Capital Region and its urban development company SAU involved in the building side, while Geluck’s non-profit was expected to finance interior works.
Background
Le Chat first appeared in Le Soir in 1983 and became one of Francophone Belgium’s most recognisable comic characters. Brussels has long used comics as part of its public identity, from the Comic Art Museum to the City of Brussels comic book route. The Musée du Chat project has been discussed for years and has previously attracted criticism over public money, commercial image and governance.
What to do
For readers: do not treat the museum as cancelled yet. The practical question is whether Brussels can replace Geluck’s role or redesign the project without leaving the public building investment stranded.
The Belgian angle
The impact is mainly Brussels-based: the site, public financing risk, tourism value and political accountability all sit with the Brussels-Capital Region and the City of Brussels cultural ecosystem.
EvidenceWell established · 2 primary sources + 1 official document · Background sources: 1Explore evidence →Hide evidence ↑
- Published:
- 12 Jun 2026, 02:00
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- 12 Jun 2026
- Published:
- 12 Jun 2026, 02:00
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- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 12 Jun 2026
- Publication date unavailable
- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 12 Jun 2026
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