This place, deep in the woods, has recently been added to the protected natural areas around Belval en Argonne. The pond was dug centuries ago for clay extraction.

There was a lonely mystery house, large, made of brown artisanal brick. It had been a brick production from the 18th century. It was abandoned in the fifties, when the owners realized that modern amenities like running water, electricity, telephone would never reach the place. Cows were still grazed here and are still now.  There was an ice house hidden under a shady hill near the house. Maybe it’s still there. The place was a secret paradise for nature lovers. The first bird watchers came by bike from Flanders. Over the years, they saw the ruins crumbled.

One young lad who came from Flanders with his bird watching friends lost life here. It was a beautiful hot day, boys and girls exhausted, the water was fresh. The water was just icy cold, the boy was taken by shock.