Belgium: Three Must-See Places in Charleroi

Posted on October 18, 2025 | Leave a comment
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My Favourites

Two of the places are located in the city of Charleroi: the excellent gourmet restaurant Vilain and the exciting Museum of Photography. While the elegant guesthouse Villa Geva is in Montigny-le-Tilleul, about a twenty-minute drive from Charleroi (pictured above).

1. Vilain

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It almost never happen I leave a restaurant feeling enchanted. We had the tasting menu, which allowed us to discover the full range of the menu (at an unbeatable price). And what a wonderful surprise! The quality of the ingredients and subtle flavors. I also really enjoyed all the sauces—quite an achievement! Bravo to chef Antoine Château for his slightly flavored cuisine that is good for the taste buds, eyes, and soul. Bravo also to his partner and associate Margaux Ballériaux and their young team, both professional and very pleasant.

2. The Museum of Photography

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Near Vilain, the Musée de la Photographie, Centre d’art contemporain de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles à Charleroi (Museum of Photography, Contemporary Art Center of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation) in Charleroi, is located in a former Carmelite monastery. It is one of the most important photography museums in Europe, with a collection of 100,000 photographs! Needless to say, I had a blast. In fact, we went twice because during our first visit, we weren’t able to see all the exhibition rooms. It’s always impressive to observe “in real life” photos that I’ve seen in books, or on screens! Not to mention all the other photographers I discover! Fantastic!

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3. Villa Geva

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I’d add Villa Geva to the list of the best hotels in Belgium! From the moment we arrive, Giovanni, our host, puts you at ease. The only suite is nestled in an entire wing of the villa. It features a 12-meter-long swimming pool, overlooking a lush garden! Gorgeous! The contemporary decor is meticulous, every detail is thought out. The bathroom is equipped with slippers and Clarins toiletries. We even fell asleep in the large armchair by the pool. As for the breakfast table, it’s a dream.

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Villa Geva, Vilain, Musée de la photographie

Many thanks to Villa Geva and Giovanni, and the tourism board of Charleroi for this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions.

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Belgique: Trois établissements incontournables à Charleroi

Posted on October 18, 2025 | Leave a comment

Mes incontournables

Deux des établissements se situent dans la ville de Charleroi : l’excellent restaurant gastronomique, Vilain et l’excitant Musée de la Photographie (les deux sont assez proches l’un de l’autre). Tandis que l’élégante maison d’hôte, Villa Geva est à Montigny-le-Tilleul, à une vingtaines de minutes en voiture de Charleroi (photo ci-dessus).

1. Vilain

Rarissimement, je sors d’un restaurant, enchantée. Nous avons pris le menu dégustation qui permet de découvrir l’étendue de la carte (à prix imbattable). Et quelle superbe surprise! La qualité des produits, les saveurs subtiles. J’ai aussi beaucoup aimé toutes les sauces, un exploit! Bravo au chef Antoine Château pour sa cuisine légèrement parfumée qui fait du bien aux papilles, aux yeux et à l’âme. Bravo aussi à sa compagne et associée Margaux Ballériaux et à leur jeune équipe, à la fois professionnelle et très agréable.

2. Le Musée de la photographie

Proche de Vilain, le Musée de la Photographie, Centre d’art contemporain de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles à Charleroi, est situe dans un ancien carmel. C’est un des plus importants musée sur la photographie en Europe, avec une collection de 100000 photographies! Autant vous dire que je me suis régalée. D’ailleurs nous y sommes retournés, car lors de notre visite, nous n’avions pas pu voir l’ensemble des salles d’exposition. Il est toujours impressionnant d’observer “en vrai” des clichés que l’on a vu dans des livres, ou sur des écrans! Sans compter tous ces autres photographes que l’on découvre! SUPERBE!

3. Villa Geva

J’ajoute la Villa Geva parmi les meilleurs hôtels de Belgique! Dès l’arrivée, Giovanni, notre hôte, vous met à l’aise. Une aille entière de la villa constitue l’unique suite avec sa piscine de 12 mètres de long, donnant sur un exubérant jardin! Euphorisant! Une décoration contemporaine soignée, où le moindre détail est pensé. Dans la salle de bain, des chaussons et des produits de toilette Clarins. Nous nous sommes mêmes endormis dans le large fauteuil au bord de la piscine. Quant à la table du petit déjeuner, c’est un rêve.

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Villa Geva, Vilain, Musée de la photographie

Un grand merci à la Villa Geva et Giovanni pour cette superbe invitation, ainsi qu’à l’Office du tourisme de Charleroi. Comme toujours, ceci est mon opinion.

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Holland: The Strandhotel

Posted on August 21, 2025 | Leave a comment
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Facing a Beautiful Beach

I’m always very excited to discover a hotel I really like! This is definitely the case with the Strandhotel! First of all, its location: near a nature reserve, facing a long beach that stretches for miles, with paths for walking or cycling. We arrive in Cadzand in the early evening. In the main hall of the Strandhotel, the interior design is soothing. I sink into a large armchair, waiting for check-in to be completed (in photomontage 2: photos 4, 5 and 6).

What a pleasure when I enter the room: a corner suite with a sea view! The interior design is simple and refined, just the way I like it: space, neutral colors, and quality furniture. I feel really calm and happy, like in a cocoon. The large double walk-in shower and bathtub are very comfortable. The bedding is great and it’s hard to get out of bed! I even forgot the very large TV screen. I don’t like TV screens at all. To tell you how good I felt: we had dinner in the suite which I didn’t want to leave (first photomontage 1). But the second evening, we finally had dinner outside..

The pool and wellness area are open until late, so we spent our first two evenings swimming and enjoying the various facilities alone (photomontage 2: photos 1, 2, and 3). Yes, alone! Plus, swimming in dim lighting is very pleasant and relaxing. The other nice surprise of this short stay: the excellent breakfast at Pine House, one of the hotel’s restaurants. Quality ingredients, a wide variety of savory and sweet dishes, all nicely presented in a bright and modern setting (photomontage 3). A real treat, well done! 

                         The Strandhotel in pictures

1. A Suite With a Sea View

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2. The Pool and Wellness And The Main Hall

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3. The Breakfast At Pine House

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Strandhotel

Many thanks to the Strandhotel and its team for this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions.

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Posted in "On the road again", Decoration, Fooding & Bars, Hotels