Built in 1912, the Villa Marie-Mirande stands as a testament to Art Nouveau architecture. It was designed by architect Victor Tinant. He crafted this masterpiece for Guillaume Janssens, a tile maker and ceramist. The villa’s namesake, Marie-Mirande, was Janssens’ daughter. Look closely at the facade. It’s entirely covered in ceramic tiles. This wasn’t just decoration. It served as a showcase for the Janssens workshop located nearby on Chaussée de Gand. The facade is like a vibrant catalog. It displays flowers, friezes, lettering, and even characters. Janssens, with the help of worker Henri Kerrels, crafted these tiles himself. This “advertising facade” truly sets Villa Marie-Mirande apart. The Art Nouveau style shines through in the villa’s asymmetrical design. Notice the simple entrance door on the left, topped with a low arch. The arch’s ceramic keystones alternate in green and brown. The ground floor features a double window on the right, separated by a striking blue stone column. A thick stone cordon divides the ground floor from the first floor. Above, an oriel window with three sections graces the right side. A simple rectangular window balances it on the left. The top level boasts a twin bay window. This is framed by a large arch supported by pilasters and topped with a pyramid-shaped slate roof. While we can’t go inside, the interior is also adorned with ceramic panels. Villa Marie-Mirande is a unique gem in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe. It’s actually the only classified house in the commune. It gained this protected status in 1988.
Museum of the Gueuze
“Isn’t it strange,”” a visitor mused, “”that a brewery could also be a museum?”” Indeed, the Museum of the Gueuze,