This vacation rental in the Belgian countryside combines the best of old and new. From the outside, it's a curious old sawmill, but on the inside, it's a striking open-plan contemporary loft. Add to that the lovely walled garden surrounding it, and you've got a great little gite for two to four people.

A smart structural conversion, it's located in the village of Bioul, on the banks of the river Burnot and surrounded in a charming walled garden. It's perfectly situated just one hour from Brussels, at the gateway to the Ardennes.  

We love the way the exterior of the gite retains the time-worn stone facade of the original sawmill, but the interior has been completely updated into a contemporary loft.

The design is simple and highly functional with strong modern lines and yet it manages to keep much of the building's earthy charm. Notable features are the tiled floor, the rounded concrete pillars, and exposed stone walls.  

But here's what we mean by functional. The property has a living room with two modular divan beds on wheels that can be adapted to suit varying combinations of guests. The bedroom also has a double bed on casters that can be split into two singles.   

The house has a private terrace and garden, with covered outbuildings, petanque, and a table-tennis table.

AROUND  

Situated 2 km from the village of Bioul, the property is only five minutes away from the Molignee Valley, and 10 minutes from the Manoir de Thozee, the home of Felicien Rops, the famous 19th-century artist.   

Other sights worth visiting include the Abbeys of Maredsous and Maredret, the chateau of Freyr, the gardens of Annevoie, and Bambois Lake. There is also golf at Rougemont and canoeing on the River Lesse.   

LOCATION  

Bioul, Belgium. Nearest airport: Charleroi (22 miles), Brussels (57 miles). It's perfectly situated just one hour from Brussels, at the gateway to the Ardennes, in the vicinity of Namur and Dinant    

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year-round