"La Grande Dame"

Hotel des Indes is a famous landmark of The Hague. It was built in 1858, as the residence of Baron Van Brienen, the personal adviser to King William III and became a hotel in 1881. Many famous people stayed there, so as tsar Nicolas ll from Russia and Winston Churchill. It reopened two years ago after a long renovation. It is actually a nice place to go at night for a drink, the bar and lounge areas are very cosy (it is decorated by Jacques Garcia, the famous interior decorator from some of the best Parisian fashion places (Hotel Costes, Fouquets, Laduree, Hotel des Beaux-arts...). For those interested in his style, head for le Champ de Bataille (in French), a castle he acquired in Normandy (France) that he is restoring and that you can also visit 6 months a year.

Illusion....

No more storks for the moment (though I have spotted a few more already that I will picture later). Time to move on! If you have never heard of Escher before, than you must have a look here. He is the most famous Dutch graphic artists. He is known for his often mathematically inspired woodcuts, lithographs and mezzotints which feature impossible constructions, explorations of infinity and architecture. He has a dedicated museum on the Lange Voorhout, that you should absolutely not miss if you visit The Hague.

One Bouter

This sculpture from Leon Bouter of a woman figure stands on the Lange Voorhout in the city centre. I've tried to find other art works from this artist, but did not manage to locate any other public work...

The Seven Provinces

This bronze sculpture stands on top of an office buiding at the beginning of the Lange Voorhout and is named after the vessel from Admiral Michiel de Ruyter, De Zeven Provinciën.

The Republic of the Seven United Netherlands (or "of the Seven United Low Countries") was a European republic between 1581 and 1795, in about the same location as the modern Kingdom of the Netherlands, which is the successor state. The 7 provinces were Hooland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Gelderland, Overijssel, Friesland and Groningen.

Last market day

Yesterday was the last market day of the year on the Lange Voorhout (Thursdays and Sundays). As from next week, only the book market will move for the winter a bit further on the square next to Mauritshuis.

Horse carriage day

For the fifth year in a row, today was "Haagsche Koetsjesdag" (The Hague horse carriage day). You could admire some 25 antique horse carriages coming from the whole country, driven by their dressed-up owners. It coincides with the beginning of the "Week of the improvement" for greener transports in the city. Funny...

I.O.U.

Just in time!!!!! Today was the last day of "The Hague Sculpture 2007", showing on the Lange Voorhout (the Ramblas of The Hague) some contemporary installations from Dutch and Australian artists. This one was my favourite. I.O.U (I Owe You), a promise that stays suspended, undelivered, from Mikala Dwyer (1998). It is a yearly event, going on for 10 years now. Last year was Botero, and THAT was really fantastic.
The Hague Sculpture