The d’Ursel family used to organise parties and feasts in a hunting lodge looking out on the river Scheldt.
The elegant octagonal building near the village of Hingene was designed by a French architect in the style of an Italian belvedere. The salon on the first floor was decorated with beautiful parquet floor and reliefs illustrating mythological scenes.
During the North Sea storm of 1953, the Scheldt flooded the little pavilion behind the dike. The building was rescued by the Belgian artist Vic Gentils, who turned it into a studio. Here he created quirky sculptures out of old wood and scrap iron.
The pavilion is now a protected monument with a café on the ground floor where you can drink a local beer. The octagonal salon looking out on the river is sometimes used for exhibitions and concerts. It is usually free to visit.
Derek Blyth’s hidden secret of the day: Derek Blyth is the author of the bestselling “The 500 Hidden Secrets of Belgium”. He picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets for The Brussels Times every day.
