In keeping with the fact that red is the colour of the Senate, a typically Belgian red marble from Rance was chosen for the staircase.

Rance is located deep in the south of the Province of Hainaut, near the French border. The marble from that region has been in great demand for centuries and has been used in some of the most impressive and luxurious buildings.

It can be found, amongst other places, in the Hall of Mirrors of the Palace of Versailles.

• The Marble Museum in Sivry-Rance
• The inauguration of the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles on 15 November 1684