
Halle (Eurotoday): Geert De Poorter has restored the 19th-century Villa Servais in Halle, Belgium, transforming it into a bed and breakfast and concert hall. Inspired by its history, he is building a garden seating area using blue limestone from the demolished local station, enhancing cultural events while honoring cellist François Servais’s legacy.
The villa of the legendary 19th-century cellist François Servais in Halle, Belgium, has been restored and is now owned by Geert De Poorter. It serves as a bed and breakfast, concert hall, and exhibition space, honoring Servais’s legacy while providing a venue for cultural events. De Poorter is also adding seating in the villa’s garden, creating a new space for outdoor concerts and events during the summer months.
How is Geert De Poorter reviving François Servais’s legacy at Villa Servais?
The idea for the new seating area in the garden of the villa is inspired by its historical significance. When François Servais lived there, the garden overlooked the local station, which was demolished in 1993. Geert De Poorter managed to get about 20 pallets of blue limestone from the original station building. These historic stones are being repurposed to create the seating tribune, preserving a piece of the past while enhancing the cultural atmosphere of the villa’s garden. This project blends history with modern use, creating a unique space where music and heritage come together.
It has been said that building the grandstand costs money, so Geert will sell champagne with a label of the Halle musician Servais and his favorite instrument, the cello. He also asked the community to help restore the villa. Many older people in Halle miss their old station. Now, the stones from that 19th-century building are being reused, making the grandstand special. Geert said the stones were in a waste container for years, then moved to Edingen, and now they are in the villa’s garden.
Comments
One response to “Villa Servais: Geert De Poorter Brings 19th-Century Cellist’s Legacy Back to Life in Halle”
-
Reviving a 19th-century cellist’s legacy with a side of recycled limestone? Talk about a sustainable twist! Next, they’ll be serving tea from the last century and calling it avant-garde. 😏🍵
Last News
101 and Still Going Strong: Henri, a Brave Belgian Warrior
As one of only three known Belgian survivors of the famous Piron Brigade, Henri knows what he is talking about.
The Belgo-Luxembourg unit went down in military folklore after it took part in the Liberation of Normandy and Be
AUKUS Launches Undersea Drone Initiative to Strengthen Defense Partnership
Canaan
The Canaanites were t
Soaring High: Iconic Aircraft’s Model Version Takes Flight
But the latest addition to the collection of models at Brussels’ Mini-Europe, Belgium’s captivating world of miniature monuments, displays, and animations, has already taken off with visitors.
The replica of Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft, reproduced to the finest detail, has taken its place among the 350 icons at the 22,00
Kanzlertausch und der Herbst der Entscheidung – Mit Veit Medick
YHWH
In the biblical text, this name is notably linked to God’s revelation to Moses at the burning bush. When Moses inquires about God’s name, God responds: “I am who I am” or “I am who I am” (Ex. 3:14)
The body representing Europe’s business community has elected a new head.
This came during a meeting of BusinessEurope in Dublin on Friday. The organisation represents the business world at EU level.
The Council of Presidents of BusinessEurope unanimously elected Maciej Witucki to succeed Fredrik Persson as President from 1 July.
Witucki was, until recently, Chairman of the Main Council of Confederation Lewiatan, BusinessEurope’s Polish member federation. He is elec
Hidden Risks Still Lurk in European Holidays
Beyond tourism, this reveals how European consu
Oil Supply Disruption May Prolong Inflation and Postpone Rate Cuts, Fed Warns Washington, 2026
Germany’s Church Tax Faces Rights Scrutiny
In 2025, Germany’s church tax generated approximately €12.7 billion for the country’s two largest Christian churches, with around €6.7 billion for the Roman Catholic Church and about €6.0 billion for Protestant churches, according to the Institut



Leave a Reply