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Our loft, in the heart of Brussels, is at the same time stylish and warm. It is situated at the second floor of a former leather clothing business, and is standing back from a pleasant avenue which makes it especially quiet. The lift leads directly into the loft. The entrance hall, the kitchen as well as the dining and sitting rooms are all part of a single open space. The first bedroom, equipped with a double bed, closes with a conventional door. The second bedroom (with a comfortable sofa bed for two persons as well as a bed for a baby or small child) and the bathroom close with nice sliding doors that we often leave open so as to maximize the feeling of space. As I love cooking, the kitchen is particularly well equipped (conventional oven + steam oven, gas stove with 6 burners …). The warm feeling of the sitting room is enhanced by an open fire, a piano, a very large sofa and a deck chair. All equipment is of high quality and the all the loft is covered with an oak floor.Two big assets of our loft are: its quietness and a surprising view through the large window of the sitting room (the sleeping rooms have a different orientation): providing a wide view on the area of the Marolles (a typical district of Brussels) and … trains. Don’t be afraid, they move slowly (as they are nearing the Brussels Midi train station that is less than 1 km away) and the sound insulation is very effective. Instead of bothering you, their passage at the height of the window some 30 meters away, is something really magical, especially in the evening when the illuminated carriages pass by. You will have the feeling that a movie is scrolling in front of you. Every visitor is in admiration and even we, although now used to seeing them, continue to be fascinated.
Notre loft, au centre de Bruxelles, est à la fois design et chaleureux. Il est au 2° étage d'un ancien atelier de confection de cuir, situé en retrait d'une agréable avenue passante ce qui lui confère beaucoup de calme. L'ascenseur arrive directement dans le loft. Le hall d'entrée,la cuisine et le salon forment un espace ouvert. La première chambre, équipée d'un lit double, ferme avec une porte classique. La deuxième chambre (avec un canapé lit confortable pour deux personnes et un lit bébé) et la salle de bains ferment avec de belles portes coulissantes que nous laissons souvent ouvertes pour bénéficier du sentiment d'espace.Comme j'adore cuisiner, la cuisine est particulièrement bien équipée (four classique + four à vapeur, cuisinière au gaz avec 6 becs...). Le côté chaleureux du salon est accentué par un feu ouvert, un piano, un très grand canapé et une chaise longue. Tous les aménagements sont de qualité et le sol de la totalité du loft est recouvert par un parquet en chêne. Deux grands points positifs de notre loft : le calme et la vue surprenante à partir de la grande fenêtre du living (les chambres ont une autre orientation): une vue large sur le quartier des Marolles et ... des trains. Rassurez-vous, ils roulent lentement et l'isolation phonique est excellente. Leur passage à hauteur de fenêtre, mais, en retrait,est magique et le soir, avec leur éclairage intérieur, vous aurez l'impression de voir défiler une pellicule de film. ils font l'admiration de tous nos visiteurs et nous qui les connaissons bien, ils continuent à nous fasciner
“Eric and Raymond were exceptional hosts. They had detailed information about their loft and every item in it as well as recommendations on sites to see and events to attend. They also emailed us often to answer our questions and to let us know how it was going for them. We found this ongoing communication very valuable. ”
“It was very much a pleasure to stay in your house. We loved the architectural design as well as all the details. Maybe a little too perfect for us: it made us feel ashamed for our house.... We only had some problem on entering, because the key fitted on the front door, which leaded to another elevator and it took a while before we found out where the right door was situated. We were happy with all the documentation, giving advices where to eat, buy, and also of walking possibilities (we made a long walk in the forests south of Brussels, of which we read in one of the guidebooks). We certainly recommend others!”
“Thank you Raymonde and Eric for sharing your stylish and so conveniently located home in Bruxelles. Not only was I met at the railway station but there was a delicious meal prepared on my arrival at the house. I was given much insiders information about places to visit and where to source the wonderful food, which made my stay memorable and enjoyable. It was one of the best exchanges, everything just perfect. Thank you. Elfi”
“We have spent Easter week at Raymonde and Eric\'s apartment. The apartament is amazing! It is very comfortable, stylish, cosy and quite practical. But the best thing is that it is located at 5 minutes from the city center whatever be the street you take. Besides, it is next to the train station where you can get any train to visit some of the most wonderful cities around Brussels such as Anvers, Brugges and Gent. And what to say about Brussels? : Awesome. What a beautiful city to live in! How many things to see and discover! Raymonde and Eric are a wonderful couple. Although, we haven\'t met their welcoming was extraordinary and thanks to their advices we could know some local places of the gorgeous city of Brussels that otherwise it\'s quite difficult to discover by yourself. The exchange has been a success. We have learnt a lot. Thanks Raymonde and Eric! Our best and most profound wishes Joan&Mireia”
“J\'ai passé en solo finalement treize jours magnifiques chez Raymonde et Eric, fort sympathiques. J\'ai pu me nourrir d\'Art (les musées royaux des beaux Arts splendides, le musée Magritte et le musée des instruments passionnants),visiter le musée de la ville et ses maquettes remarquables, le musée des sciences, le palais royal... Enfin vivre comme une reine dans leur très beau loft contemporain et design au c½ur de la cité vivante toujours accessible à pieds même pour le parc du cinquantenaire! Arpenter les rues typiques, profiter des festivals de musique et de la richesse des différents quartiers avec bonheur, découvrir un autre monde pourtant si près de Paris! Merci à eux pour le soin porté à la maison de la fée des bois, à son chat et à l’arrosage de son jardin. Surtout n\'hésitez pas, je suis fière d\'être leur premier contact et leur souhaite de multiples et passionnants échanges!”
“We had a wonderful visit to Brussels. We stayed two weeks, and used it as a base to explore Belgium. Their apartment is located perfectly for getting the trains to all parts of Belgium. We visited Brugges, Antwarpen, Gent, and several other areas. Train travel is very inexpensive in Belgium. The city is full of great markets and is a shoppers dream. The palaces are amazing. We felt very safe in Brussels, the army are actively protecting the city - so no worries there. We wouldn't hesitate to go back again - it was a wonderful experience. Raymonde and Eric are lovely people, they prepared us an amazing traditional Belgium meal for when we arrived. They communicate well, with easy discussion. The apartment was lovely and clean, with a nice comfy bed.. Nice modern fittings, with view of the trains, adds a great dimension. Eric and Raymonde stayed in our house, and looked after the house beautifully. We highly recommend them to anyone considering house exchanging with them. Jane and Malcolm”
“We had a wonderful stay in Europe\'s capital at the loft of Ray &Eric. The city has many things to do and to see ,that every day was different than the other. Magnifisant center ,nice parks, interesting museums ,impressing buildings ( old and modern) ,many events...And what a nice feeling ,when returning back ,tired of a great day, and finding a sweat ,charming ,quite,large, and modern place to rest. The apartment is idealy located ,near everything that you can visit them by walking. We only one time took the pablic transportation to go to Atomium park.Raymonde and Eric were so helpful and kind and gave us many suggestions for differant visits than what the usual turist guides gives.We will never forget our week in Brussels and especialy the dinner with this lovely couple. We strongly recomment this nice house for a great stay at Europe\'s Capitol”
“We spent the last week in the newly renovated loft apartment, which turned out to be a great success. We met up with our hosts who were first timers but none-the-less had prepared everything for us with immaculate eye to detail. We felt welcome from the start and could enjoy the homemade soup and some local Belgian beer for lunch! The loft is luxuriously decorated with a top notch bathroom and kitchen. The area is very cosmopolitan with many shops and restaurants right outside the front door. We enjoyed being able to walk into Grand Place or the Sablon in just 10-15 minutes. We made use of the suggestions made to us by our hosts. Within walking distance from Gare MIdi it is easier to come by train than by car as traffic is challenging. Parking was a bit difficult however we didn\'t need the car really: so take the train! We had really good contact before and during the swap so all in all highly recommendable and a pair of sympathetic hosts we would be happy to exchange with some other time.”
“I\'ve recently completed a month\'s stay in Raymonde and Eric\'s apartment in Brussels. In every way, this was an ideal home exchange that I would unhesitatingly recommend to others. The apartment is large, modern, tastefully furnished, extremely well equipped with everything I could have wished for, secure, and, above all, comfortable. It is also very well located with almost everything one would have wished to visit within walking distance. As well as having many attractions as a European city - architecture, museums, interesting shops, great and varied food - Brussels is also an extremely convenient and relatively cheap base from which to visit other places within Belgium and also neighbouring countries. I easily visited Bruges, Antwerp and Maastricht, as well as travelling to contact old friends in Amsterdam and Cologne. None of these trips took more than two hours travel. Raymonde and Eric proved to be excellent house exchangers. They left copious and very useful information on many aspects of the apartment, on where to shop and buy food, on where to eat and drink, and on attractions of the city and beyond. They were also very helpful in providing advice for a minor health emergency. Raymonde had even left delicious meals in the freezer that were much appreciated on evenings when I returned home tired and cold. I enjoyed meeting them and would like to keep in contact. All in all, an ideal home exchange.”
Being different but also complementary, we (Raymonde and Eric) both love our city and our loft and we look forward to helping you to discover and enjoy them. Our own travel interests are diverse. We are curious for cities and nature as well. We will soon be retired (April 2016) and will therefore have more flexibility for exchanges at that point, which does not prevent us to consider exchanges as from now. As we also have a small accommodation outside Brussels, exchanges do not absolutely have to be synchronized.
Tous les deux (Eric et Raymonde), différents et complémentaires, nous adorons notre ville et notre logement et nous prendrons plaisir à vous aider à les découvrir. Pour les voyages, nous avons autant de curiosité pour les villes que pour la pleine nature. Bientôt à la retraite (avril 2016), nous aurons une plus grande flexibilité pour les échanges à partir de ce moment là ce qui ne nous empêche pas de les envisager dès à présent. Comme nous avons également un petit logement à l'extérieur de Bruxelles, les échanges ne doivent pas être simultanés
Our loft is at just 10 minutes’ walk from the Midi Railway Station (Brussels main train station), right in the heart of Brussels. This allows to reach by foot all places of interest, like the Big Square (Grand Place) and its surroundings (10 minutes), the Royal Palace and a variety of Museums (15 minutes), the Grand Sablon Square for the antique dealers (15 minutes), St Catherine Square for good restaurants and fashion shops (15 minutes) … You also benefit from easy and close access to public transports facilities: tramway's, metros and trains. As for the Avenue where we live (Avenue de Stalingrad) it is at the same time classic and rich in colour, and leads into a nice square with friendly café terraces (250 meters from the loft). All food purchases can be done nearby (excellent fish shop, groceries, a covered market specialized in organic food …)
Notre loft est situé à 10 minutes à pied de la Gare du Midi, dans l'hyper centre de Bruxelles ce qui permet de rejoindre les plus beaux endroits à pied, comme la grand place et ses environs (10 min), le palais royal et les musées (15 min), le Grand Sablon pour les antiquaires (15 min), Sainte-Catherine pour les bons restos et les boutiques de styliste (15 min)...Il y a également un accès facile et proche aux transports en commun :trams, métros et trains. Quant à l'avenue où nous habitons, elle est à la fois classique et colorée et aboutit sur une jolie place, avec des terrasses bien agréables. Toutes les courses alimentaires peuvent se faire à proximité (poissonnerie extra, épiceries, marché couvert bio...)
Spacious 2 Bed, 2 Bath appartment situated in the heart of Brussels. 5 min from Grand place, shopping, metro and 10 min from 3 stations. This appartment...
Our house is very nice and comfortable, the decor is cosy and the atmosphere is zen. Its location is perfect in the heart of Brussels ..with garden On two...
This frirst floor apartment, protected by a a secured door is situated 15 minutes (public transports or 1 hours walk) from the world famous "Grand Place"....
