Hotel Cardinal

Annette et Lubin

by tompt

In the building of the Pouhon Pierre le Grand you will find two large dolls (giants). They represent a part of the history of Spa. They are called Annette and Lubin.

In reality they were Gilles de Walt and Maria Schmitz. They lived around 1750 in the woods near Niveze (small village part of Spa municipality). As full cousins the church didn't give them permission to marry. But Maria became pregnant. Some wealthy visitors of Spa cared for them and got a pardon from the pope, so the two could marry. They also provided a little house at a hill. The two made it into a succes. It became populair by the rich and the famous to visit here. But Annette and Lubin (as they were called now) always had money problems. They made a trip to paris, where they were displayed as heroes, but that didn't give them any richness. They had to sell there house and inn. Lubin went to Paris and became addicted to gambling, nothing is known of Annette since. Lubin came back to Spa and ended his life as a hermit.

The two became famous as the French dramatist Charles Simon Favart (1710-1792) and Marmontel both made a story about them.

Camping in Spa

by Monst007

"Camping in Spa, Belgium"

We camped in Spa as we were going to see the Belgian Grand Prix. Although it rained (a lot!) we had a really good time.

The campsite was really close to the track and the facilities were good. We're definitely going back!!