Freÿr Castle - the pearl of the Meuse Valley
Freÿr Castle, picturesquely situated on the banks of the Meuse, dates back to the 14th century. In 1378 there was a fortified tower here guarding an important river route. In 1554, the medieval building was destroyed by French troops during battles with Emperor Charles V.
Freÿr quickly rose from the ruins. In 1571, Guillaume de Beaufort-Spontin built a Renaissance residence on this site. In the 17th century, the castle was expanded, creating four wings surrounding the inner courtyard. The building gradually lost its defensive character, becoming the representative residence of the Beaufort-Spontin family.
In 1675 the castle became the site of an important historical event. A treaty was signed here between France and Spain, which restored trade on the Meuse and Sambre. The agreement went down in history as the Treaty of Freÿr, also known as the Coffee Treaty . According to legend, it was during the negotiations that coffee was first served in Wallonia.
Freÿr quickly rose from the ruins. In 1571, Guillaume de Beaufort-Spontin built a Renaissance residence on this site. In the 17th century, the castle was expanded, creating four wings surrounding the inner courtyard. The building gradually lost its defensive character, becoming the representative residence of the Beaufort-Spontin family.
In 1675 the castle became the site of an important historical event. A treaty was signed here between France and Spain, which restored trade on the Meuse and Sambre. The agreement went down in history as the Treaty of Freÿr, also known as the Coffee Treaty . According to legend, it was during the negotiations that coffee was first served in Wallonia.
The architecture of Freÿr Castle
The current appearance of the castle is the result of reconstructions carried out in the 17th and 18th centuries. The residence has an elegant courtyard surrounded by buildings. Visitors can admire the representative hall decorated with paintings and a frescoed ceiling in the Louis XV style, as well as richly decorated rooms with antique furniture belonging to successive generations of the Beaufort-Spontin family.
The magnificent castle gardens, designed in 1760, are among the most beautiful in Belgium. They offer a view of the majestic Freÿr rocks rising on the opposite side of the Meuse. These limestone cliffs, approximately 350 million years old, reach heights of up to 120 meters.
This magnificent castle, which has been in the hands of the same family for twenty generations, is part of the protected architectural heritage of Wallonia.
The magnificent castle gardens, designed in 1760, are among the most beautiful in Belgium. They offer a view of the majestic Freÿr rocks rising on the opposite side of the Meuse. These limestone cliffs, approximately 350 million years old, reach heights of up to 120 meters.
This magnificent castle, which has been in the hands of the same family for twenty generations, is part of the protected architectural heritage of Wallonia.
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Adres:
Freyr 12, 5540 Hastière |
Opening hours:
April 4-November 15 11.00-17.00 |
Fare:
12 euros |