THE STORY OF VILLA CATHERINE

De Panne 16 October 1918, a month before the end of a gruesome war. On the far left Villa Ten Duine, the former court of Veurne, which was moved during the War and next to it Villa Catherine in cottage style. At the same time that the Devré family is sitting comfortably at home and a court case is underway in the former courthouse, soldiers in Koekelare are busy firing shells with the Lange Max at De Panne and Veurne...

That same day, six people die. Four of them in court, judge Alberic Rutsaert, lawyer Hector Vanderghote, Kamiel and Eugenie Pauwels. At the Villa Catherine house, the young parents Gustave and Hortensia Devré-Debruyne die. Miraculously, their three-week-old daughter Paula survives the attack (died April 28, 2014). At the time of the attack, Paula was lying in her crib under the stairs, and as can be seen, the stairs have remained intact.

Both villas were rebuilt after the war. Villa Ten Duine has been rebuilt in every detail as before. Villa Catherine was given a new art deco inspired look by architect brothers Alexis and Jacques Dumont, sons of architect and founder of De Panne Albert Dumont. Over the years, Villa Catherine was renamed the Flemish version Villla Kaatje. Today, Villa Catherine is being renovated into a luxurious holiday home with both modern and authentic and characterful features.