The Cercle Royal Gaulois, a prestigious private club in Brussels, has recently opened its membership to women, sparking considerable debate and division among its traditionally male members.
Established almost two centuries ago, the club has long been known as an exclusive gentleman’s domain, frequented by diplomats, politicians, business leaders, and members of the Belgian aristocracy.
Despite the club’s historic male-only policy, women have been recently proposed for membership, causing a schism within its ranks.
Some male members have responded by boycotting club activities, and discussions of forming a separate, women-excluding club have emerged.
Since September, female candidates have been allowed to apply for membership in Cercle Gaulois, a move approved by two-thirds of the club’s general assembly.
However, this decision was not met with universal support. About 30 members, unhappy with the inclusion of women, have organised their own activities outside the club as a form of protest. According to reports from La Libre, these dissenting members are considering the foundation of a new men-only club, viewing this as a way to maintain the exclusivity they value.
Historical Background and Policy Shifts
Cercle Gaulois traces its origins to the fusion of two clubs: the Cercle artistique et littéraire, founded in 1847, and the Cercle royal Gaulois, established by lawyer Edouard Huysmans in the early 20th century.
The original Cercle artistique et littéraire, founded by Belgian astronomer Adolphe Quetelet, welcomed both male and female artists and intellectuals, a stance that changed after its merger with Huysmans’ club in 1951. Following the fusion, Cercle Gaulois adopted a male-only policy, effectively barring female members until a recent reversal of this position.
For decades, women could attend club events only as guests or spouses, and female membership became a contentious issue, particularly as diplomatic figures from Germany and France expressed reluctance to join due to the policy. Josep Borrell, High Representative for the European Union’s Foreign Affairs, reportedly shared similar reservations.
The decision to admit women has been met with mixed reactions among current members, some of whom argue that the presence of women detracts from the club’s ambience.
Among those critical of the change, reasons cited include concerns over “lower quality of conversation,” fears of increased rivalry among men in mixed-gender settings, and a belief that the club is not suited for business activities, making female membership unnecessary. Some have argued for the preservation of a men-only environment as a cultural heritage, while others view the inclusion of women as a modern and necessary adaptation.
Female Members and Ongoing Challenges
As of now, 12 women have joined Cercle Gaulois, including notable figures such as Céline Fremault, a Belgian politician; Ilham Kadri, former CEO of Solvay; and Françoise Tulkens, a former judge at the European Court of Human Rights.
Tulkens, who recently joined the club, expressed her disbelief that the topic of female membership remains a source of contention in 2024.
“The absence of women in the club struck me as outdated,” she remarked, adding that the lack of female representation motivated her to apply. Tulkens’ decision to join was not driven by career ambitions but by a belief in equality within such institutions.
However, even with the official policy change, certain club traditions remain resistant to gender inclusion. For example, the Cercle Gaulois’s weekly club dinner, described on its website as a highlight of the week, still excludes female members.
Club President Philippe de Wouters acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue, suggesting that part of the dissatisfaction among male members stems from the perceived rapidity of the decision, although this change came nearly two centuries after the club’s founding. De Wouters noted, “One could argue that 177 years is hardly a hasty decision.”
The history of female membership in Cercle Gaulois is complex. Women were allowed to join until 1975, when a compromise was reached to allow only existing female members to remain while new applicants were turned away.
De Wouters explained that the decision should be viewed in historical context, as in 1975, only about 3% of Belgian women held university degrees, a prerequisite for membership. In comparison, 53% of those with higher education qualifications are now women, underscoring the shift in gender equality within the country’s professional and intellectual circles.
Future of the Club and Cultural Legacy
The Cercle Gaulois operates within a stately building in Brussels’ Warandepark, near the Royal Palace, hosting conferences, dinners, exhibitions, and balls.
The club’s guest list includes some of Belgium’s most prominent figures, such as politicians, academics, and artists, who use its facilities to engage in social and intellectual exchanges. The recent changes to the club’s admission policies may reflect a wider shift within elite institutions to adapt to modern social norms, although the response has been divided.
Whether the establishment of a new men-only club will proceed remains uncertain, and De Wouters remains sceptical of such a move’s feasibility. He remarked that although some members continue to oppose the inclusion of women, the majority support a more inclusive direction. The initial resistance may fade as female members integrate into club life, and the prospect of a breakaway club could lose momentum.
