Villa Les Zéphyrs Westende

Villa Les Zéphyrs is a historic holiday villa in Westende-Bad, part of the municipality of Middelkerke on the Belgian coast, now converted into a house museum that recreates the domestic life of a wealthy interwar family.

Who built the villa, and when?

The house was built in 1922 for a couple from Ghent, physician Henri Muyshondt and his wife Conard. Its design was based on a concept that architect Oscar Van de Voorde had already drawn up in 1910 for the World's Fair in Brussels. Like many affluent Belgian families of the period, the Muyshondts used the property as a summer residence by the North Sea.

What makes the interior notable?

The interior combines Art Nouveau elements with practical solutions typical of the era. Highlights include stained-glass windows, a bathroom with a sunken terrazzo bathtub and faience tiling, and a kitchen located in the basement — a layout commonly used to separate the household's working areas from its representative living spaces. The dining room and smoking room are decorated in an Art Nouveau style, and their wood paneling, buffet cabinets, and fireplace mantel were designed by Henry van de Velde, one of the leading figures of Belgian Art Nouveau and modernism, later known for his role at the Bauhaus in Weimar.

How did the villa avoid demolition?

After decades as a private residence, the building's purpose changed. In 1972 it was rented to the then-municipality of Westende, which set up its tourist information office inside. That decision saved the villa from the fate of many similar coastal properties demolished across Belgium in the latter half of the 20th century. In 1999, following Westende's merger into the municipality of Middelkerke, the local authorities purchased the house outright.

What led to the museum's opening?

Acquiring the building paved the way for a full restoration, which began in 2003. The renovation was carried out alongside plans for broader public access — the goal was no longer simply to preserve the historic fabric but to turn the villa into a place visitors could experience firsthand. The restoration took several years, and the villa was officially opened to the public at the end of June 2006.

What can visitors see today?

Villa Les Zéphyrs now operates as a small but distinctive interior museum. Its restored rooms let visitors step into the everyday life of a well-off family who lived there between the 1920s and 1940s — from the layout of the dining room and living areas to the craftsmanship details and the functional arrangement typical of coastal residences of that period. Since 2020, the villa has also hosted contemporary art exhibitions, adding a cultural, present-day dimension to its historical role.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the villa located? At Henri Jasparlaan 173 in Westende, part of Middelkerke.

Who designed the dining room and smoking room interiors? The wood paneling, buffet cabinets, and fireplace mantel were designed by Henry van de Velde.

Since when has the villa been open as a museum? Since the end of June 2006, following a restoration that began in 2003.

Does the villa also host exhibitions? Yes, since 2020 it has regularly hosted contemporary art exhibitions.