‘t Stationnetje, also known as La Gare, is a 36-person holiday home situated in the Belgian village of Hombourg, just ten minutes from the Dutch border. What makes this holiday home so unique is that there used to be a train station and a hotel in this location. When you drive into the grounds, you’ll feel like you’re taking a trip back in time.
Then and now
In 1895, a small train station was opened in Hombourg on the 22 km long train line 38, which connected Liege with Aachen. The manager, farmer Tychon, also wanted to offer travellers somewhere to stay overnight and so built a hotel across the street called Hotel de la Gare. But there was more of a living to be made from the train line. He set up a transport company so that goods from the region could be transported to other regions. Potatoes, straw, coal and later also fuel were transported in this way. These goods were often temporarily stored in the barn of the Hotel de la Gare. After the station was closed in 1953, it remained in the hands of the Tychon family for a while. In 1983 it was bought by a private individual who wanted to start a railway museum here. With this dream in mind, he had several locomotives and carriages transported to Hombourg. But in 2006, he was forced to sell up.
You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find here now. The new owners, the Degée family, have completely restored the old station and opened it up as a chic party venue. The old hotel with its accompanying storage barn has been completely renovated and transformed into a luxurious 36-person holiday home. And the trains? They still stand proudly on the track, just waiting to be admired. All the locomotives, mail and transport carriages are truly fascinating.
Let’s take a look inside
The first space you enter is the large hall, to the right of which is a spacious, cosy living room with high ceilings, original doors, and a pellet stove. The former luggage storeroom is now a dining room, kitchen, and second kitchen. Please feel free to change the table arrangement in the large dining room to your liking. The ground floor has a double bedroom with en-suite. The other bedrooms and bathrooms are on the first and second floor. The first floor has four double bedrooms and two quadruple bedrooms, all en-suite. There are another two double bedrooms that share a luxurious bathroom. The second floor has one double bedroom, two triple bedrooms, and one bedroom with six beds – all bedrooms are en-suite.
The best rooms – a game room, bar, pantry, mini cinema, and recreation room – are in the basement! Children will love the room with various games, including table football. There is also a multifunctional recreation room that can be used as a meeting room, party room, or additional dining area. The bar and lounge area, complete with glasses and sinks, is the perfect place to spend evenings together. Feel free to chill drinks in the large fridge in the pantry. For a fee of five euros per hour, you can also use a beautiful, soundproofed mini cinema with ten comfortable cinema seats. Simply switch on the projector and watch your favourite films on the screen.
Outdoor space
The outdoor space also has plenty to offer! You have access to a garden and two large terraces, one of which is covered. There is also a little lawn, boules court and a fire pit (which can also be used as a barbecue). Enjoy the beautiful surroundings and take a walk along the railway line that is now a unique walking trail.
Please note
- La Gare is a smoke-free holiday home.
- If you wish to use the pellet stoves, please purchase pellets from the homeowner in advance.
- Pets are not allowed.
- Student parties, stag and hen dos, and drinking parties are strictly forbidden in this holiday home. To ensure peace and quiet, we do not rent this holiday home to groups of young people.
