Hôtel de Groesbeeck - de Croix

This former refuge of the Villers Abbey in Brabant was built in the 13th century but rebuilt in 1605.

It was sold in the 18th century to Alexandre-François de Groesbeeck who had it enlarged and renovated in 1751-1752. At the end of the 18th century it passed to the de Croix family through marriage and in 1935 it became the property of the city and a museum.

This H-shaped mansion in brick and limestone is composed of a central rectangular volume onto which extensions are grafted, forming two long wings perpendicular to the ends. The French garden was designed by Hector Mathieu in 1937: embroidery of boxwood arranged symmetrically around a pond. On the right side of the street a carriage gate leads to a courtyard with the stables. On the left is a caretaker's house, partly 17th century.

Inside is a remarkable oak Louis XV staircase , the top of which was designed by Van den Base, while the balusters were made by Thomas (known as de Charleroi). There are some of the original fireplaces in the outbuildings. Exceptional kitchen, decorated with Delft tiles , with Renaissance stove and fireplace from the former shelter of Villers.

Willem Vandenameele