Chateau La Fraineuse

In this chateau "La Fraineuse", Emperor Wilhelm II held his official receptions during the latter days of the 1st World War.

In Spa, from March to November 1918, the .

The emperor had taken up residence in the nearby villa Neubois when he was in Spa. However, during the last days of November, he had left this villa and stayed only at La Fraineuse or in his train.

In this chateau of great grandeur, also the official guests were received.

Also here, on November 10th, 1918, the emperor decided to flee to the Netherlands. From this chateau he was taken by car to his train at Spa station. In the days leading up to the decision, there were feverish consultations about the options still open to the emperor. The troops were mutinous. Were there still enough Imperial troops willing to defend him? From more and more cities in Germany came reports of mutiny and the formation of soldiers' councils. His allies could no longer continue the war. Calls for abdication were already growing louder.

The emperor was still hesitating whether to go to Berlin with troops to put things in order, or to fight to death at the front. Finally, on the advice of his general staff, he decided to flee to the Netherlands. There were too few troops left on the Emperor's hand.

After the 1st World War, negotiations on the text of the armistice were also held in 'La Fraineuse'. The final text would be signed in the hall of mirrors of the Palace of Versailles, and the Treaty of Versailles was a fact.

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