The house was built in 1887 in flemish neo renaissance style.

 

It is believed to have been built by the Minister of the State Louis Betrand over the ruins of the country cottage of one of the most eminent members of the princely house of Croÿ, the Duke Charles de Croÿ Aerschot. The armorial bearings of the Duke Charles de Croÿ Aerschot are ingraved in a marble plate placed above a chimney.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As surprising as it may seem, the Minister Louis Betrand (whose initials appear in the window of the ground floor) was the founder of the Belgian working Party and the newspaper the People of which he was the director. He was also a writer. A magnificent avenue in Bruxelles located only 800 m from the house carries his name.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few years after it was built the house was inhabited by the Mothers Superior belonging to the order of holy Mary of wisdom.

 

In the late fifties the movie The Nun's Story, in which Audrey Hepburn played the main role, was made in this house. The movie was a critical and box office success and Audrey Hepburn received her third academy award nomination. If you watch the movie you will recognise Audrey Hepburn entering the house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The house is home to the albanian novelist and dissident Dimitri PANGO. 

 

 

The house has hosted events for other artist as well. 

 

The most impressive artisted to have shown their work in the house are : 

 

the painter Dastid MILUKA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and the sculptor Clif ARDI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you wish to know more about these artists you can check their websites : 

 

https://dastid.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/Clif-Ardi-369510344515/

 

 

 

 

More recently, during the Covid period, another movie yet was played in the house.

 

It's a belgian comedy named Ronald Krump.

 

This movie is now in post-production phase.