Your secret refuge in the heart of the forest.
Envisioned in 1968 as a family fishing lodge and passed down through generations, this unique retreat was completely renovated in 2025 to blend its authentic soul with modern comfort. Secluded within a protected forest, our energy-autonomous home is a haven of peace for groups of up to 12 people. It is an invitation to create your own memories, amidst crackling log fires and waterside adventures.
Much more than just a holiday rental, Les Étangs de Graide is a place to be experienced and a space to reconnect—with your tribe, with the surrounding wilderness, and with the raw authenticity of the elements.
Les Étangs de Graide: The Soul of a Bygone Refuge, The Comfort of Today.
More than just a rental, Les Étangs de Graide is a legacy. A place shaped by a family, inspired by nature, and designed for sharing. Discover the history of an architectural refuge that has withstood the test of time to offer you an unforgettable escape.
In 1968, in a marshy clearing amidst dark pine forests, Robert and Thérèse Huyberechts dreamed of a refuge for their large family. They entrusted this dream to architect Loys Vervenne. His mission: to create an authentic fishing lodge in perfect harmony with its environment.
The terrain was completely sculpted: ponds were dug, fed by the river that winds through the property today. The architect, wishing to reconnect with vernacular architecture, chose raw materials steeped in history. The floor is paved with large schist stones salvaged from old nearby farmhouses. The structure is supported by imposing oak beams, recovered from a storage building at "Moulins de la Dyle," the family business. Old quartz millstones found a second life as monumental barbecues.
Life there was simple, paced by wood fires and gas lighting. It was a life of "unplugging" before the concept even existed, where nature dictated the tempo. Over the years, the pine plantations gave way to a living, diverse forest, now classified as a Natura 2000 protected zone.
In 2025, following the success of their eco-lodge Witklipfontein in South Africa, the two architect brothers, Xavier and Damien Huyberechts, undertook the rebirth of the family refuge. The goal was clear: to elevate the level of comfort and adapt it to today's challenges, while preciously preserving the soul and character of the place.
The lodge is now entirely energy-autonomous thanks to battery-backed solar panels and an ingenious central heating system coupled with a hydro stove. New, high-performance contemporary windows invite more natural light in while offering breathtaking views of the water and the forest.
The interior has been reimagined with a new fully equipped kitchen, modern bathrooms, and high-quality bedding, ensuring a most comfortable stay without ever betraying the original spirit of the place.
Booking inquiry
Unique Comfort
What Your Stay Includes :
Your reservation at Les Étangs de Graide is an invitation to unwind in uncompromising comfort. For complete transparency, here is everything included in your rental price:
1. A Fully Equipped Lodge & High-End Comfort
- Full Bedding :
- Beds made upon arrival.
- Washed cotton percale sheets, "down-effect" duvets and pillows (hypoallergenic).
- Bath and Towel Linens:
- Bath towels (for the bathrooms).
- Swimming towels (for the outdoors and the pond).
- Ultra-Equipped Kitchen :
- Two refrigerators (one with a freezer).
- Range cooker (piano de cuisson) with a large gas oven.
- Bean-to-cup coffee machine (coffee not provided, please bring your own beans!).
- All tableware, kitchen utensils, and equipment needed to cook for 12 people.
- Basic condiments.
- Essentials :
- Soap, shampoo, and cotton pads in the bathrooms.
- Basic cleaning products and dishwasher tablets.
- Washing machine, dryer, and detergent pods.
- Toilet paper.
2. Energy & Heating
- Green Electricity: Consumption of green electricity from our solar panels (within the limits of reasonable use, respecting our off-grid autonomy).
- Gas: Gas consumption for the kitchen and boiler.
- Firewood: Wood for the hydro stove and the open fire.
- Central Heating: Central heating via the hydro stove (if used).
3. Leisure & Access
- Private Access: Exclusive access to the entire lodge, its garden and surroundings, as well as the private pond and the river.
- Wi-Fi: Unlimited Wi-Fi internet access.
- Rowboats: Use of the rowboats on the pond (life jackets available).
- Games: Access to the dress-up trunk, the hat collection, and board games.
4. Also Included in the Charges
- End-of-stay cleaning.
- Insurance.
- Centralized fire monitoring system.
What is NOT included (please bring your own) :
- Coffee beans.
- Extra firewood consumption (beyond the included stock).
- Charcoal for the barbecue.