Villa ‘Mijn Droom’ – the art nouveau dream on the Durme van Alfred Cruyt

Restoring and modernizing with an eye for the original design. Alfred Cruyt was a pastry chef from Lokeren, founder of the liberal gymnastics club ‘For Body and Mind’, and a large landowner. In 1907, his dream came true. He bought a 1ha49 estate in Daknam and had villa ‘Mijn Droom’ built: a harmonious whole in Art Nouveau style with graceful shapes, small balconies, tile tableaux with regional flowers and birds, a small tower, and tiny windows. Alfred was an avid swimmer and he loved this unique spot on the Durme. After his death, the pleasure garden of Cruyt was given a functional purpose by the new owner, a cattle dealer. The current owners began lovingly restoring and modernizing the villa in the 1990s with an eye for the original design. Practical info: Maximum 10 people per group. Partially open to visitors.