Photos: Loekesss, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 After: Jan van Eyck After: Hubert van Eyck, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain Krzysztof Golik, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo credits
Photos: Loekesss, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 After: Jan van Eyck After: Hubert van Eyck, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain Krzysztof Golik, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Vooruit, Ghent's grand old arts hall
Your local guide
Robbe Janssens
View profile
Highlights
- A hall built for a cooperative movement
- Art Nouveau, still largely intact
- A grand foyer, seen from the door
- Ghent's arts scene, traced to its roots
- One building's century of history
About this tour
This session covers Vooruit, one of Ghent's grandest old buildings, from its Art Nouveau facade to a view of the foyer inside the doorway. You see the exterior and hear how it began as a hall for the city's cooperative movement, then look into the foyer at details that survive from its original opening. It links Ghent's arts scene to its working-class history.
We start with a sound check outside the facade, since the street can carry some traffic noise. I move to the doorway for the second stop and take your questions about the building's history as we go. A short reading list follows by message afterwards.
It suits anyone with an interest in Art Nouveau architecture or Ghent's social history. It also works well as an evening session before a concert or event of your own.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Ghent before heading out.
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Vooruit exterior 21 min
The camera takes in the Art Nouveau facade, and I explain how the building began as a hall for the city's socialist cooperative movement.
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Vooruit foyer view 21 min
From the doorway you see the grand foyer, and I point out the details that survive from its early twentieth-century opening.
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Your questions 9 min
Time to ask anything about Ghent: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 4 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Belgian waffles and Patershol, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Brussels time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 9 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Ghent, showing you Vooruit exterior and Vooruit foyer view live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Is this suitable if I do not drink?
Yes. Say so when you book and the guide will focus on the atmosphere and venues rather than the drinks list.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk Ghent live with my phone.
Times shown in Brussels time (CET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Thu 29 Oct · 9 seats left From 22,00 €
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