As we have many relatives in Mechelen, we also spent a lot of time in this historic city, which we saw evolve over the decades from rather rundown to a surprisingly beautiful and interesting art city. Lots of city and private initiatives make this an incredibly nice place to live, with lots of greenery and water all around. We were looking for a spacious flat with character, in the city centre, with garage and preferably facing south. The fourth property we visited in Mechelen was the Lorette Convent - and that was an instant hit. Everything we were looking for could be ticked off here. We spent 12 fantastic years here and we still remain pleasantly surprised by the peace and quiet, and that in the middle of a city centre. The convenience of the location also means you can really do everything on foot: fine dining, culture, shopping.... You name it.
Our terrace has a partial view of St Rombout's Tower, and when we hear the carillon playing softly, we really feel like we are in a monastery. The inner garden has a communal table and chairs, so it is always possible to enjoy the sun there too. It's also super fun to have aperitifs in the courtyard garden at family parties. After 12 wonderful years, we decided with pain in our hearts to move to a smaller flat in Leuven, where two of our children also live.
Homes with personality
