Albert Florizoone

Founder of Bellewaerde

Albert Florizoone is known as the founder of the Touristic Center Bellewaerde, which opened on 3 July 1954 near Ieper/Ypres in West Flanders. The site first developed as a green park with a strong ornithological focus, where visitors could discover exotic birds, alongside leisure experiences designed for children.

A vision combining nature and leisure

With Bellewaerde, Albert Florizoone laid the foundations for a place that was not limited to mechanical rides: animals, nature, walks and family entertainment were part of the identity from the beginning. This hybrid character would become one of the park’s lasting features.

A legacy continued by his family

After his death in 1967, his wife Maria Legrand and his sons took over the management of Bellewaerde. They then led a major transformation towards a safari park, a decisive step in the site’s evolution before its gradual development into an amusement and animal park.