The small Belgian town of De Haan has long been a favourite destination for visitors. With its grand promenade along the North Sea and its Belle Époque architecture De Haan is the perfect place for holiday makers to relax.
In 1933 it was also the perfect place for Albert Einstein and his wife Elsa to spend some time. While on their way home from the United States of America Einstein was told that his home and possessions had been confiscated by the German government and his name placed on an assassination list. They arrived in Antwerp on 28 March 1933 and set up home at the Villa Savoyarde in De Haan.
Einstein often visited the Grand Hotel Belle Vue where he would sit on the terrace enjoying tea and biscuits with friends.
The Einsteins only stayed in De Haan for six months. They left in September 1933 en route for England before moving permanently to the United States. Albert Einstein never returned to De Haan but a tiny part of the story of his remarkable life will always remain there waiting to be discovered.