Historic De Haan train station with a modern tram passing by, featuring distinctive architecture and clear blue skies. A charming house in De Haan featuring a stone chimney, large windows, and a well-manicured garden in the foreground.
Belgium

De Haan: Belle Époque by the Sea

Belle Époque by the North Sea: De Haan’s Historic Villas.
 De Haan, Belgium, August 2022

De Haan looks different from most towns along the Belgian coast. While elsewhere, grey high-rises dominate the seafront, here you’ll find villas with bay windows, turrets, and curved gables—a postcard-perfect idyll straight out of the Belle Époque. A few modern buildings have crept in, but the town’s nostalgic charm remains intact.

Even the station building from 1902 fits the scene perfectly. This is one of the stops along the Coastal Tram, which connects all the towns along Belgium’s shore. Have I mentioned it yet? Opened in 1886, it’s the longest tram line in the world—67 kilometers, 67 stops, and a schedule so frequent that you never have to wait long. It runs from Knokke in the north to De Panne in the south, tracing the coastline with views of dunes, sea, and old seaside resorts. Unlike most urban trams, this one isn’t just public transport—it’s part of the journey, a moving panorama of Belgium’s coast.

Over the decades, countless visitors have arrived in De Haan this way. One of them stood out more than most Albert Einstein. In spring 1933, he stepped off the tram with 17 suitcases full of books, seeking refuge from the political upheaval in Germany. He stayed for a few months on Shakespearelaan before leaving Belgium for good. A brief episode, but one the town takes great pride in.

De Haan has held on to its charm. It’s not a seaside resort for grand spectacles, but rather a place for quiet walks—where architectural romance meets the fresh sea breeze.

Map of De Haan
Historic De Haan train station with a modern tram passing by, featuring distinctive architecture and clear blue skies.
The historic tram station, with its Belle Époque charm, remains a key stop along the Belgian Coast Tram route. A modern tram rushes past, linking past and present.
A charming house in De Haan with a red roof and black trim, surrounded by green gardens and a welcoming gate.
A Belle Époque villa in De Haan: This historic home, with its half-timbered façade and manicured garden, embodies the refined seaside architecture of the early 20th century.
A charming house in De Haan with a red-tiled roof, surrounded by lush greenery and a well-maintained garden area.
A distinctive house in De Haan features steep, angular roofs and a spacious front garden. The architectural design highlights elegance and charm.
Architectural heritage in De Haan: This striking Belle Époque villa, with its steep gables and timber accents, reflects the town’s unique coastal character.
A charming house in De Haan with a unique tree growing in front, featuring a red-tiled roof and whitewashed walls.
A charming black and white house with a red roof in De Haan, featuring a gated entrance and green landscaping.
A charming white house with red roof tiles and a picket fence in De Haan, surrounded by greenery and autumn leaves.
A charming house in De Haan featuring a stone chimney, large windows, and a well-manicured garden in the foreground.
A charming villa in De Haan with a red-tiled roof, surrounded by lush greenery and a decorative gate labeled "LES OURSINS.
A charming white house in De Haan features a red roof, surrounded by greenery and a wrought iron gate.
A charming house in De Haan with a turret, surrounded by lush hedges and a striped gate, showcasing a blend of architectural styles.
A beautiful view of the Astoria Hotel in De Haan with cobblestone streets and surrounding greenery.
Bronze sculpture of Albert Einstein seated on a bench in De Haan, surrounded by trees and quaint buildings.
Albert Einstein in De Haan: This statue commemorates the physicist’s stay in the Belgian coastal town in 1933, where he found refuge before emigrating to the United States.
A vintage-style facade of Grand Hotel Belle Vue in De Haan, featuring charming architecture and a sunny street view.
Grand Hotel Belle Vue: This landmark Belle Époque hotel, with its distinctive turrets and half-timbered façade, has been a symbol of seaside elegance since the early 20th century.
A sunny beachfront in De Haan with a promenade, beach cabins, and calm sea waves under a clear blue sky.
A seaside promenade in De Haan featuring modern and traditional architecture along the beach, with a serene atmosphere.
An ice cream stand named IJsbar Valerie in De Haan, with the beach and sea in the background. Clear blue skies and a calm atmosphere.