This tiny photo was in the belongings of my grandmother who died a few years ago along with a variety of other photos, mainly to do with my grandfather serving in WW2.
They lived in England but I know he served abroad in Belgium and France which may explain the French (I think) writing on the signs.
Any idea where this could be or what could be happening?
It was also with this photo - it could be a completely different place. I can't quite make out the writing on the roof of the building: http://imgur.com/Z7Vkzli
I also have some pics of his service records, if that may help.
The writing on the top of the building in the second photo says "Changing hut for <unreadable> services officers & OR"
That would suggest to me that this is in an R&R area, where troops are sent for time off.
My first thought was that in the first photo the chap on the balcony is taking a flag down and has thrown it aside, however whatever is falling doesn't really appear to be a Nazi flag, on a second look it appears that the black thing is separate from the white thing, so possibly two things are dropping there. There are also tattered curtains in the room behind the balcony, various items around the balcony and something hanging out the window above. All this makes me think that things are being thrown from the apartment above the balcony.
Could be it was a German officer's residence or a command post that has been liberated ? The left hand sign says "Bureau" which would imply this is some sort of office ?
The lower sign says maisons et <unreadable> a vendre" I think. maisons in french is home, et means "and" and vendre is sale. I can't quite figure out what that would mean.
Hoekye doesn't sound particularly french or belgian though does it ? Maybe dutch ? but dutch wouldn't line up with the french sign.
You have me intrigued :) Keep us updated if you find anything else out.
I just realised the name on the house probably doesn't mean anything. It's very common for people in that area to give more luxurious buildings, especially holiday homes a name. It's usually displayed in some wrought iron fancy lettering and referenced something that sounds soothing, exotic, or referenced a local point of interest, or a play on a personal name. So it probably never was a pub, hotel, store or anything, just a residential building with a pretentious owner.