Celluloid Diaries: Visiting the Eau d'heure lakes

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Visiting the Eau d'heure lakes

romantic lake europe

This past weekend, I visited the Eau d'heure lakes in Belgium as part of a press trip. Though the lakes are situated in my own country, I had never heard of them prior to this trip. 

Yet, with its five lakes and 600 hectares of national park, it's one of Belgium's most beautiful places of interest. 

The reason the Eau d'heure lakes are not well known, is that the area has only just recently seen a steep rise in tourist attractions. Hotels, seminar rooms, holiday villages, and recreational activities pop up at a rapid pace thanks to the support of the local and European authorities. 

During the press trip, I had to opportunity to try out some activities at L'eau d'heure. Here's an overview: 


hiking trails belgium


Recreational activities at the Eau d'heure lakes 



Aqua Golf 

The Plate Taille lake is the only place in Europe where you can play Aqua Golf. Contrary to a normal game of golf, the player has to get the balls onto floating islands. Great fun. 


aqua golf
aqua golf

Crocodile Rouge 

Crocodile Rouge prides itself on being a bus that can drive on land as well as on water. Only nine of these vehicles exist. The Crocodile Rouge took me on a trip on the Plate Taille lake, but I'd say it's more for kids than for adults. 

You can find more pictures of and info about Crocodile Rouge here.


plate taille lake belgium
lakes in belgium

Natura Parc 

If you're adventurous, you may want to do a climbing trail at Natura Parc. There are different tracks and levels. The "erolienne" trail is a must as the giant rope slides will take you over the Plate Taille lake for a magnificent view. 

During the summer, Natura Parc organizes a night-time climbing experience, coupled with a BBQ. How awesome is that! 

You can find more information about the Natura Parc here


natura parc eau d'heure
natura parc eau d'heure
henegouwen toerisme
belgium fun activities for tourists

Hiking and biking 

The majority of the tourists go to the lakes to hike and bike. I explored the banks of the Plate Taille lake by foot and soaked up Belgian nature at its best. 


eau d'heure lakes belgium
belgium hiking trail eau d'heure
boats on a lake
woods belgium
best of belgium

Barrage de la Plate Taille 

Belgium biggest dam, the Barrage de la Plate Taille, is the only one whose interiors can be visited. I discovered its underground corridors, its turbine pumps, and enjoyed a 360° panoramic view from 107 meters high. A guide taught me about the history of the lakes and the dam's past and current uses. 


barrage de plate taille
dam eau d'heure
dam corridors
belgium viewpoints
lacs de l'eau d'heure
biggest dam belgium

Aqua Centre 

No holiday is complete without a visit to a swimming pool, right? The Aqua Centre of the Eau d'Heure Lakes has recently been renovated and has a slide and spray park for the kids and a wellness centre for the adults. 


aqua centre eau d'heure

Kayak 

Ever since my childhood trips to the Ardennes, I have loved kayaking. The Eau d'heure lakes lend themselves perfectly to unwind once more on the water and to revel in the beauty of the surrounding shores. 


kayak belgium
kayak eau d'heure
best lakes in europe
belgium beach

Where did I sleep? 


I spent the night at Golden Lakes Village, a holiday resort with newly constructed holiday homes surrounded by water and greenery. 

The holiday homes of Golden Lakes Village belong to private investors. They have the opportunity to purchase completely furnished houses without paying VAT. Golden Lakes then rents out the homes for them. A great idea, don't you think? 

What I loved most about the Golden Lakes Village homes? Their comfort and large balconies that lend themselves perfectly for apĆ©ritifs and breakfasts in the sunshine. 

You can find more information about the Golden Lakes Village here or reserve your stay here.


l'eau d'heure
golden lakes village
weekendje weg henegouwen


Where did I eat? 



Croco BBQ 

Croco BBQ offers basic food such as toasted sandwiches and all-you-can-eat BBQ. Its terrace overlooks the lake and the dam. 


BBQ l'eau d'heure
croco BBQ

Tri Marrants 

Tri Marrants is the place to be for quality food. Meat lovers will love the giant portions, but the cook also does his utmost to please vegetarians like me. 

And how to resist dinner with such a beautiful sunset view over the lake?


tri marrants
belgium best views

Aqua Centre 

The Aqua Centre's restaurant is an easy option for pizza and other comfort food. 


Disclaimer 



My trip to the Eau d'heure lakes was sponsored by www.lacsdeleaudheure.be (general information), www.goldenlakesvillage.be (purchase of holiday homes), and www.ardennes-vakantievillas.be (rental of holiday homes). 


What do you think of the Eau d'heure lakes? Any activities that pique your interest?

most beautiful lakes in europe


47 comments:

  1. Looks like a fantastic opportunity, although I wouldn't be too happy up in the trees, the rest looks amazing.

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  2. It looks remarkably similar to parks here in Canada! Lots of fun for everyone.

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  3. What an adventure. Looks like a lot of fun.

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  4. Must have been a great trip with a lot of attractive activities.

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  5. MMMMMmmmmm, wonderful. I especially love your final picture. It looks beautiful, fun, and heavenly. I'm not a golf fan, but I'm sure I'd laugh a lot attempting aqua golf.

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  6. Now, I need to go there. Aqua golf looks interesting.

    http://csuhpat1.blogspot.com/2015/06/welcome-to-downtown-davis-ca.html

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  7. What a place to stay! I'd definitely do the climbing trails. Awesome shots and what a view.

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  8. Amazing place to go and have a holiday! So lovely there.

    Hope you can join my linky too!

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  9. Oh, that looks so completely gorgeous there! I could not do the heights but everything else looks like a lot of fun.
    Lynne x

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  10. Amai, een bezige bij !
    Lie(f)s.

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  11. What a great place to vacation, the Aqua golf is interesting. Wonder if thy send divers to gather the golf balls ?

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  12. What a place and fantastic photography! They all look fascinating to do!

    Happy Week to you,
    artmusedog and carol

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  13. daar had ik ook nog nooit van gehoord
    zo avontuurlijk
    prachtige foto's!
    wat een uitzicht, whaw

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  14. Prachtige foto's, ons landje heeft ook wel heel wat te bieden. We lopen er soms voorbij zonder er aandacht aan te besteden.
    Bedankt om bij mij langs te komen.

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  15. Schitterende reportage over een gebied en een vakantie die je nog heel lang zal heugen! Bedankt voor het delen...

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  16. Wow! What a gorgeous day you had to enjoy it too! That sky is gorgeous! I would never be able to win at aqua golf! LOL

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  17. WOW!!! Dream trip or what!! Gorgeous pictures!
    įƒ¦ husky hugz įƒ¦ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  18. Je hebt hier een prachtig blog met goede informatie en fraaie foto's geplaatst hoor Vanessa. Het lijkt mij heerlijk om daar de vakantie door te brengen.

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  19. This is fantastic! I love the outdoors so this would be perfect for me.

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  20. What a lovely place, and your photos are stunning. Thank you for sharing with OMHG Wordless Wednesday Link Party.. Have a great day, co-host Evija @Fromevijawithlove x

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  21. dit staat op mijn "to do" lijstje Vanessa...

    een fraaie en overtuigende reportage heb je er van gemaakt..

    prettige dag

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  22. What a beautiful place to spend time

    Mollyxxx

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  23. Oh my gosh, these photos are brilliant and make me feel like I went there. Very cool. Thanks for sharing this with us.

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  24. Wow, looks like a lovely little vacation! I love your photos!

    ♥ Lisa
    Strum Simmer Sip

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  25. Those are stunning water views, and the dam is interesting too. Looks like time well spent.

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  26. beautiful place and some stunning views. I love those little houses you stayed in. definitely would have a blast at that nature parc and doing some kayaking.
    Sunsets are my favourite!

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  27. Everything looks so beautiful, right down to that sparkly glass of wine.

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  28. Een prachtige serie foto's Vanessa.
    Vooral het aqua golf lijkt me heel spannend om te doen.
    Een heerlijk uitstapje om te koesteren :-)

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  29. Het is daar mooi aan het meer, ben er jaren terug geweest, er wordt daar ook gedoken. Maar je brengt het hele centrum in beeld. Je was mooi gelogeerd.

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  30. Stunning photos! How great to discover such a place on your doorstep you never knew about. I would love to get into the activities at Natura Parc. Aqua Golf sounds really hard though. I wonder how many balls sit at the bottom of the lake. :)

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  31. I didn't know the place existed, had never heard of it. And that at a mere 200 km from my front door.
    Nice to know.

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  32. Absolutely gorgeous photos. I have a craving for BBQ now! :) Have a lovely weekend.

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  33. Wonderful place! I would like to visit here someday.
    Enjoy!

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  34. Beautiful pictures as always, and it sounds like a great place to visit. :)

    shahwharton.com

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  35. Hi Vanessa .. looks to be an amazing place and good for a break from wet England! What fun though ... I'd love to see the inside of the dam ... and enjoy the other goodies .. cheers Hilary

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  36. Wow, these photos are awesome!!! Looks like so much fun, and also very relaxing at the same time!

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  37. Amazing photos! Live that you got to go all these wonderful places!

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  38. Hey Vanessa, Belgium looks amazing!! Great travel post!
    I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to read your book just yet - I do have it on my list. I'm on holiday right now in the Philippines and your book is next on my list. I wish I had a hardcopy of it - maybe I will one day :)
    Promise to book review it as soon as I'm done! Haven't forgotten xxxx

    www.bohemianmuses.blogspot.com

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  39. Prachtige plaats. Very interesting that signs are trilingual. I will need to add Belgium to my bucket list.

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  40. Really thanks for beginning this up. This internet website is a issue that is desired on line, somebody after a little originality. travel now pay later

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