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Heyde dijck Castle.
Averbode, the 1900s.... even back then famed among tourists for its peace and tranquillity. Averbode, its abbey, forest and moorland!
To this day Averbode and its immediate vicinity still proudly boast many thousands of hectares of nature reserve.
It was in 1903 that Mr Leopold Govaerts and his spouse, Marie-Josephine Houbrechts, built their castle right in the heart of this scenic area.
Mr Govaerts made his fortune trading in timber supports he sourced in Wallonia and Northern France and sold to the coal mines in Limburg where they were used to brace the mine shafts. However, the couple’s happiness was short-lived. At a young age Leopold, father of one, was murdered while on a business trip to Wallonia. Slain by robbers, his lifeless body was recovered from the Meuse. Not long after, his pregnant wife died giving birth to their second child. Jozef, a mere toddler and Florentine, a little newborn were left orphans. They were looked after by a family member who raised them at the castle.
Jozef, Master of Heyde dijck Castle, remained a bachelor and spent his life at the castle together with his maid "Sofie".
Florentine married an architect from Hasselt. Their marriage remained a childless one.
In 1965 the castle park, covering some 20 hectares, was cut up into lots and developed. Today 6,400 square metres of parkland remain.
When Jozef passed away, his sister Florentine inherited the castle and sold it to a Frenchman in 1985.
The new owner inhabited the castle for 21 years but come retirement he decided to sell up and go back to his French roots.
The stunning castle which had retained all its original features was bought by Joris and Marie-Josée Van den Bruel – Wouters. They were adamant that such a beautiful property and stunning environment should be enjoyed by many and decided to open up a guest house.
It therefore gives us great pleasure to invite you to spend a week, midweek or a weekend at Heyde dijck Castle to soak up the unadulterated nostalgia of the 1900s in a genuinely cosy family environment.
We WELCOME you with open arms.
Averbode, the 1900s.... even back then famed among tourists for its peace and tranquillity. Averbode, its abbey, forest and moorland!
To this day Averbode and its immediate vicinity still proudly boast many thousands of hectares of nature reserve.It was in 1903 that Mr Leopold Govaerts and his spouse, Marie-Josephine Houbrechts, built their castle right in the heart of this scenic area.
Mr Govaerts made his fortune trading in timber supports he sourced in Wallonia and Northern France and sold to the coal mines in Limburg where they were used to brace the mine shafts. However, the couple’s happiness was short-lived. At a young age Leopold, father of one, was murdered while on a business trip to Wallonia. Slain by robbers, his lifeless body was recovered from the Meuse. Not long after, his pregnant wife died giving birth to their second child. Jozef, a mere toddler and Florentine, a little newborn were left orphans. They were looked after by a family member who raised them at the castle.
Jozef, Master of Heyde dijck Castle, remained a bachelor and spent his life at the castle together with his maid "Sofie".
Florentine married an architect from Hasselt. Their marriage remained a childless one.In 1965 the castle park, covering some 20 hectares, was cut up into lots and developed. Today 6,400 square metres of parkland remain.
When Jozef passed away, his sister Florentine inherited the castle and sold it to a Frenchman in 1985.
The new owner inhabited the castle for 21 years but come retirement he decided to sell up and go back to his French roots.
The stunning castle which had retained all its original features was bought by Joris and Marie-Josée Van den Bruel – Wouters. They were adamant that such a beautiful property and stunning environment should be enjoyed by many and decided to open up a guest house.
It therefore gives us great pleasure to invite you to spend a week, midweek or a weekend at Heyde dijck Castle to soak up the unadulterated nostalgia of the 1900s in a genuinely cosy family environment.
We WELCOME you with open arms.