...means Living in Luxury! A visit to Kasteel de Haar takes you back to the glory days of the castle and its residents. Your visit will give you a better idea of the opulent life that the international jet set lived at the beginning of the 20th century. You will be equally amazed at the very un-Dutch luxury in which the residents and their guests live when they stay here in September.
The castle
The extraordinarily rich Baron Etienne and Baroness Hélène rebuilt a castle of un-Dutch allure at the end of the 19th century to the greater honour and glory of the Van Zuylen van Nijevelt van de Haar family: with an incredible 200 rooms, a variety of towers and turrets and a vast inner courtyard, it remains unparalleled in Holland.
Rondleiding in het kasteel?
Reserveer tickets onlineThe park
The castle is set in an impressive park that was especially laid out to complement the castle. From the castle you are treated to splendid views of French-style gardens and English landscapes. In fact, a whole village was literally moved to make this all possible.
Interior design
The interior design similarly exudes the luxury and grandeur of the baronial family: the architect who designed the castle (the then already famous Pierre Cuypers) specially designed all kinds of furniture and ornaments for the castle, although the baron and baroness, who travelled extensively, also brought back all manner of objects from all over the world.
The character
The castle’s outward character is that of a romantic idealized image of a mediaeval castle, but then one with all the modern comforts one could wish for: hot and cold running water, heating in all the rooms and even electric lighting. Practically unheard of in those days!
The luxury
The family still enjoy all this luxury one month a year. Every September they come and stay in the castle and invite guests to join them in these sumptuous surroundings (and probably make them a little envious too!). The guests are mainly from abroad since Dutch nobility tend to find all the excesses somewhat over the top.
The guests
Baron Thierry, the grandson, continued the September tradition by inviting many international jet setters to grace the castle’s rooms. Such famous names like Brigitte Bardot, Roger Moore, Gregory Peck, Maria Calles, as well as the once famous Dutch footballer Marco van Basten... all dined and slept at Kasteel de Haar.
Rondleiding in het kasteel?
Reserveer tickets online
The organisation
To ensure that the annual September residency goes off without a single hitch is a true labour of love demanding massive preparations, with cooks and chambermaids being brought from France to assist the Household manager. The baron’s guests are pampered from the moment they arrive here; suitcases are unpacked, the sarcophagus in the Main Hall is filled to overflowing with ice cubes to ensure the champagne is properly chilled, perfume bottles from renowned houses grace the Beauty Parlour and chauffeurs stand at the ready to take guests wherever they might wish to go. In the Dining Hall dinner is served in the grand style of yesteryear with guests being waited on exclusively by male staff wearing the obligatory white gloves.
The tradition
Throughout the year, everything in the castle looks exactly as it does during the September residence of the family. Visitors can experience for themselves what must happen when the baronial family take up their residence. The only difference is that you’re able to take a look both at the staff’s quarters as well as the guests’ rooms. Besides seeing the kitchens where they slave away preparing works of delicious art for the dessert table, you will also gaze at the splendours of the Ballroom where many a festivity did and still takes place and let’s not forget the Baron’s bedroom with naturally the finest view of the castle’s grounds. It’s time to lose yourself in all this luxury!
Geniet van alle weelde!
Bekijk hier wanneer u kasteel de Haar kunt bezoeken
