By using the services of the City of Bruges - Musea service, you declare that you agree with these general visitor regulations of the City of Bruges - Musea service (hereinafter: 'Musea Brugge').

Visit and access

The Musea Brugge sites are open to the public during their opening hours as published online and on site. Any derogations as regards access will be announced at the museum entrance.

The security team may close the entrance and ticket sales earlier than closing time to give visitors the necessary time to see the full museum before the museum closes.

Article 1:

To visit the museum rooms and temporary exhibition halls, you must have a valid admission ticket.

See also: general terms and conditions for online sales

Article 2:

Musea Brugge provides cloakrooms and lockers for free. Musea Brugge is not responsible for loss, theft or damage to any item left behind in the cloakroom or lockers. The security team empties the cloakrooms and lockers after closing time. Items left behind are considered lost property. Lost property can be picked up at the front desk of the museum. Valuables will be handed over to the police.

Article 3:

Objects that may pose a risk to the safety of persons, works of art and/or the building are not authorised.

Only hand luggage smaller than 34 x 22 cm is allowed in the museum. Damp coats, jackets that you cannot carry over your arm, umbrellas, food, drinks and other items must be left in the cloakroom or lockers. Small backpacks are authorised, and you must carry these in your hand, not on your back. The security team has the final say on whether you can take an item on the museum visit.

With the exception of assistance dogs, pets are not allowed in the museum buildings.

Article 4:

For security reasons, the security team may ask visitors at the entrance to open bags and packs and show the contents.

Article 5:

Children under 12 can only visit Musea Brugge if accompanied by an adult. Parents, supervisors or teachers of children, classes or groups are responsible and accountable for the behaviour of those under their supervision.

Code of conduct

Article 6:

Museums Bruges expects visitors to:

• behave in accordance with safety regulations, public order, and the applicable museum rules during their visit to the museum.
• behave properly toward museum staff and other visitors.
• keep a safe distance of at least 30 cm from the works of art.

Article 7:

Among other things, the following are prohibited in the museums:

• touching the exhibits or pointing at the artworks with an object
• leaning against walls, running, pushing, sliding or climbing
• smoking or using narcotics
• causing noise pollution
• selling, advertising, distributing propaganda or canvassing

Article 8:

Guides not affiliated with Musea Brugge are prohibited from organising tours of the Gruuthusemuseum, Groeningemuseum, Museum Sint-Janshospitaal and BRUSK, except with the prior written permission of Musea Brugge.

Photography, filming and surveys

Article 9:

Photography without flash and without a tripod is allowed at all our museums, unless otherwise indicated. Photographs, video and sound recordings can only be used for personal, non-commercial purposes. Musea Brugge employees must not be recognisable in the footage.

Article 10:

Filming, photographing and/or making sound recordings for professional or commercial use and/or with lights, flash equipment, tripods, microphone booms, drones or other tools is prohibited without explicit permission from the Press & Communications Department.

Article 11:

It is possible that you are photographed or filmed during your visit to the museum. These recordings may be used in our communications. Please immediately inform the photographer/camera operator if you do not want to be in the images.

There is permanent camera surveillance in all Musea Brugge sites.

Safety of persons, works of art and buildings

Article 12:

In the event of any unlawful or irregular event, Musea Brugge may take the necessary protective measures. In particular, entrances may be closed off and exits controlled. In the event of such measures, visitors remain in the museum until the police arrive on the scene.

Article 13:

In the event of excessive visitor numbers, disturbances or natural conditions that may endanger the safety of persons or property, the museum may partly or completely close, or the opening hours may change.

Article 14:

In the event of an epidemic or pandemic, in order to ensure the safety of visitors and staff, Musea Brugge may issue specific guidelines for museum visits. These guidelines may change along with any government measures. The guidelines can always be found on the Musea Brugge website and will be visibly displayed at the front desk and in any other places in the museum.

WiFi

Article 15:

Visitors can use wireless Internet in all our museums thanks to Musea Brugge's free WiFi network. In the event of misuse, you undertake to indemnify and hold harmless Musea Brugge and the City of Bruges against any and all claims or demands resulting from any infringement thereof.

Complaints

Article 16:

Musea Brugge makes every effort to prioritise visitor comfort and minimise disruption. Nevertheless, the following circumstances are possible, and Musea Brugge is under no obligation to compensate visitors if they occur:

• An item from the collection is not visible/present
• The museum is partially closed due to, but not limited to, the construction or dismantling of exhibitions and presentations
• Disruption or inconvenience caused by other visitors, including but not limited to noise, inappropriate behaviour and theft
• Disruption or inconvenience caused by maintenance work, including, but not limited to, rebuilding or the (re)arrangement of areas
• Disruption or inconvenience caused by facilities in the museum not functioning properly

Article 17:

Visitors can report complaints or suggestions by mail (the postal address can be obtained at the museum desk) or by email (musea@brugge.be). Visitors will receive acknowledgement of receipt within five business days after MB receives the complaint, including the person's contact information and/or the department which will handle the complaint. You can expect a substantive response within two months of receiving the complaint.

Complaints regarding discrimination can be reported through the City of Bruges reporting point.

Sanctions

Article 18:

If a visitor refuses to comply with the visitor regulations and the guidelines of the museum staff, the security team will intervene. This may result in immediate ejection from the museum by the security team or the police.

Article 19:

If the visitor causes damage to the collection objects or infrastructure, they shall bear the cost of repairing the damage and additional administrative costs.

Article 20:

Shoplifting or attempted shoplifting is punishable by law. We report all instances of shoplifting to the police. An administrative fine will also be charged for shoplifting.

Article 21:

These regulations are governed by Belgian law.

Article 22:

All disputes arising herefrom shall be submitted exclusively to the courts of Bruges.