History

Charmehotel with a rich history

Welcome to Kasteelhof 't Hooghe. We are happy to take you through the fascinating history of our hotel.

Kasteelhof 't Hooghe is located in the hamlet of 't Hooghe, just outside of Ypres. Before Kasteelhof 't Hooghe became a hotel, it was actually a country house inhabited by a baron.

Kasteel 't Hooghe and Baron De Vinck

In 1756, the Ypres-Menin trunk road was built. Along that road lies the picturesque castle 't Hooghe, complete with English garden, landscaped pond, numerous outbuildings and ornaments.

Baron Gaston De Vinck is the last heir before the castle is totally destroyed during World War I.

He moved in after marrying Elisa Osterrieth. From this marriage two children were born. However, Elisa died at a young age, and afterwards the baron married her younger sister, Florence. Together with Florence he had five more children.

Charmehotel near ypres with a rich history

Hotel located at the front of World War 1

The Great War

Due to its elevated position, 't Hooghe is a precious trophy for the fighting men during the First World War. It is a strategic target and is heavily fought over during 4 years.

Baron De Vinck is forced to flee with his family to France. On February 4 1914, the castle goes up in flames.

The reconstruction, Kasteelhof 't Hooghe

After the war, in the spring of 1919, Baron De Vinck was one of the first to return to Ypres. All that is left of the idyllic castle grounds is a swampy moonscape, full of war debris, unexploded ammunition and broken, dead tree trunks. Many of those killed have not yet been buried.

Together with his wife and seven children, he temporarily moves into a makeshift concrete house.

In 1920, he started the construction of the manor house 't Hooghe. The ground at the site of the former castle is totally unstable at that time, so he pulls the new mansion a little to the south, where the castle stables used to be.

He will end up living there for the rest of his life.

Frontline Hooghe

In the hotel garden, you can still discover traces of the war. The pond originated from 3 bomb craters. There are also two authentic bunkers to admire, one of which is still accessible.

In 1995, an English archaeologist excavated the original trenches as they looked during the war. These can still be seen today.

As a hotel guest, you can visit the site free of charge. External visitors pay 1 euro entrance. Open every day from 10 am to 7 pm.

Hotel near bomb craters, bunkers and trenches... free to visit