Castle of Freÿr

Castles and palaces

Renaissance castle on the bank of the Meuse at Hastière, with gardens said to follow the model of Versailles, old orange trees and what is considered Belgium's oldest orangery.

Interesting facts

The castle has belonged to the same family since 1410.
In October 1675 a customs and trade agreement between France and Spain was signed here.
The gardens have around six kilometres of hedge-lined paths.

Why visit

Renaissance castle right on the Meuse
Gardens with old orange trees
Open to visitors

The Castle of Freÿr lies on the left bank of the Meuse in the municipality of Hastière, opposite the Rocks of Freÿr. In the 14th century a castle here guarded a ford; troops of the French king Henry II destroyed it in 1554. In 1571 a Renaissance country house was built on the site, and its east wing survives to this day.

In 1637 the complex grew into a four-wing building around a courtyard, and in the 18th century it was remodelled as a ducal residence, reportedly on the model of Versailles. It has belonged to the same family since 1410, first the Beaufort-Spontin family and today their descendants. In October 1675 envoys of Louis XIV and Charles II of Spain met here to sign a customs and trade agreement.

The castle is still lived in and is open to visitors. Its orangery is considered the oldest in Belgium, and orange trees around 300 years old stand in the gardens.

History

14th-century castle at a ford on the Meuse, destroyed in 1554; Renaissance country house in 1571 (today's east wing); four-wing complex in 1637; ducal residence in the 18th century. Owned by the same family since 1410. Customs and trade agreement between France and Spain signed here in 1675.

Special features

Renaissance castle with four wings on the bank of the Meuse, gardens with orange trees around 300 years old and six kilometres of hedge-lined paths, and an orangery considered the oldest in Belgium.

Map

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