Hundreds partygoers at illegal rave at Domaine de Jaurieu near Ronse

Ronse (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – An illegal rave continues at Domaine de Jaurieu, Arc-Wattripont, Hainaut, near the border with Ronse. Mayor Jacques Dupire criticised the owner; Val d’Escaut and Pays des Collines police monitor RN48 for safety.

As VRT News reported, an illegal rave that began Friday night, Oct 31, 2025, continues at the Domaine de Jaurieu in Arc-Wattripont, Hainaut, near the border with Ronse, in the province of East Flanders, Belgium. This is the 3rd time the abandoned site has hosted such events. 

What is happening at Domaine de Jaurieu near Ronse with hundreds at an illegal rave?

Jacques Dupire, the new mayor of Frasnes-lez-Anvaing, said the abandoned estate has become a magnet for illegal parties.

“The site attracts these events because it is unmonitored and unsafe,”

he said. Police have not confirmed if they have intervened in the current rave.  Neighbours complain about the disturbances and hazards caused by the parties.

The mayor also criticised the owner of the Domaine de Jaurieu. He said the lack of security and proper management has made the abandoned estate a repeated hotspot for illegal parties.

“He’s not responding. That borders on complicity. I have a meeting with him at my office next week to ensure that these kinds of incidents don’t happen again. This is a matter of public order,”

Dupire emphasised.

To address the situation, the Val d’Escaut and Pays des Collines police zones are working together to keep traffic safe along the RN48 between Ronse and Tournai. Police are watching the road for problems caused by the rave, including heavy traffic, unsafe driving, and blocked lanes. 

“We must protect both road users and pedestrians. The police are authorised to issue a report to any motorist who parks on this road,”

explains Dupire.

The Domaine de Jaurieu in Arc-Wattripont has a history of repeated neglect and unauthorised events. The estate was used for private events before it was sold in February 2019 with plans to build a retirement home, but the project was later abandoned. Over the years, the buildings fell into disrepair, and the grounds became overgrown. 

By February 2024, authorities reported the property had been empty for months and was vulnerable to illegal gatherings. In October 2024, the estate again hosted a large unauthorised rave with nearly 500 participants.