Ferme aux Drapeaux, Belgium

Ferme aux Drapeaux is an abandoned farm in Belgium. The farm, which dates back to the 1790s, is a beautifully photogenic location. The farmhouse has clearly been abandoned for some years. Not only is the farmhouse rustic and charming, but there is an additional surprise. Lurking in a barn is a blue camper van. A rare and unusual find, indeed.

We visited Ferme aux Drapeaux in the winter of 2018, during the Pre-Brexit Belgium Tour.

The story of Ferme aux Drapeaux

The farm dates back to the 1790s. The story goes that the couple who owned the farm are deceased, sometime around 2010. It was hoped that their children would inherit the farm, and either work it or sell it on. Seemingly the children did not want to inherit the farm, and so ownership passed on to the state. As is typical, red tape and complications arise when dilapidated old buildings are concerned. A zoning plan and various permits must be filed before anything can progress. Clearly, this has not happened, and it is uncertain if/when this will occur. Until then Ferme aux Drapeaux remains a playground for photographers and explorers.

A blue Barkas B1000 barn find

Inside the Ferme aux Drapeaux barn, there is a cornflower blue Barkas B1000 van. This van was manufactured by VEB Barkas-Werke in Chemnitz, Germany, between 1961 and 1988. The B1000 was made available in several body configurations; panel van, 8-seater minibus and even as a pickup truck. The 1-litre two-stroke engine could reach a maximum speed of 95-100km/h, depending on the vehicle body style.

The particular van is the minibus variety, first produced in 1964. It has been converted into a camper van. The couple who owned the farm must have enjoyed some fantastic road trips and holidays in this van. It is sad to see it sitting in a barn, waiting for the owners that will never ride it again.