Château de Lavaux-Sainte-Anne

Rochefort, Belgium

The Castle of Lavaux-Sainte-Anne is located in Wallonia near Rochefort. In 1244 Jacques de Wellin de la Vaux built a simple tower in order to monitor the Bavay-Nassogne Roman road at the request of Andage Abbey (now Saint-Hubert). In 1450, Jean II de Berlo commissioned the building of the current castle, initially with three great towers connected by curtain walls. The fourth tower is built in 1500.

In 1630 the castle was bought by the baron Jacques-Renard de Rouveroy, an infantry colonel in the service of Emperor Ferndinand III. Because of the evolution of war tactics the castle's defenses were rendered useless. So he turned it into a country mansion. He took down one curtain wall and remodeled the facade of the inner courtyard into Italian baroque. He also covered the castle in red bricks and added the bulbous roofs.

In 1796 local revolutionaries destroyed the chateau. The banners are removed from the roofs and the coats of arms are attacked with hammers. In 1933 the estate was donated to the non-profit organisation Les Amis du Château de Lavaux-Sainte-Anne created by Baroness Lemonnier, who fully finances the restoration of the site. Today, it is a open to the public.

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Founded: 1450
Category: Castles and fortifications in Belgium

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4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Jan Verheyen (9 months ago)
Very nice castle to spend an hour or two. The weather was unfortunately too bad, otherwise the gardens would have been on our list too.
Joshua Harvey (12 months ago)
Step into a world of spine-tingling enchantment at the annual Halloween celebration hosted by this bewitching castle! With its haunted castle, eerie costumes, and a culinary cauldron of delights, this event promises to be a nightmarish adventure like no other. During the chilling journey, you'll encounter lost souls in torment and malevolent beings that will send shivers down your spine. But here's the real question: do you dare to enter the Dungeon? This eerie, otherworldly experience beckons the bravest souls, yet one must think twice before venturing within. For if you wander too far into the labyrinthine depths, the creatures that dwell within will keep you captive for centuries, perhaps even for eternity. You might become one of them, forever imprisoned within these ancient walls. Consider yourself warned. Now, for the young ones, the question of starting age is a matter of your adorable little monster's sensitivity. Their creatures are experts at adapting their scares to the age of little wizards and other pint-sized demons, ensuring a thrilling yet age-appropriate experience. The great news is that you can go in disguise! Dress up to your heart's content and relish the opportunity to capture memories in this enchanting, haunted setting. Worried about punctuality? Don't be! While they recommend arriving during business hours, there's no need to strictly adhere to your pre-sale ticket time. Flexibility is the name of the game, and they welcome all brave souls whenever you choose to join. Please note that the castle's interior isn't stroller-friendly due to narrow stairs, so consider using a baby carrier if you're bringing your little ones along. They do, however, offer accessibility to individuals with reduced mobility (PMR) in the French gardens, cellars of the castle, craft market, and bar. Unfortunately, the many stairs inside the castle make wheelchair access challenging. For the convenience of their guests, there's a spacious and complimentary car park, ensuring a hassle-free visit. And when it comes to refreshments, their snacks and bar boast tantalizingly democratic prices, ensuring that no one leaves hungry or thirsty. So, if you're ready to embark on a hair-raising adventure and explore the depths of this spine-chilling castle, go to this Halloween celebration. But remember, once you cross the threshold, you may never want to leave—consider yourself warned, and prepare for a night of eerie enchantment!
arnaud vanderroost (13 months ago)
We were originally planning to go to the Caves of Han (Grottes de Jan); but changed our mind last minute due to bad weather. The Tourism office advised us the Lavaux- Saint Anne as there was a Halloween exhibition ongoing during the weekend. We were positively surprised and enchanted with the whole decoration and actors. I highly recommend you all to go and visit this place in the next few days or next year during Halloween. The costumes and makeup are pretty impressive and may impress the younger ones. Entrance is at €5,- for kids and €10,- for adults. Inside the castle there's also a market and some foodtrucks.
Remko van Brakel (14 months ago)
Nice castle with multiple expositions at the various floors of the castle. Overall entertaining and interesting. Kids can dress up as knights or princesses to explore the castle in style.
Lydia Delahaye (16 months ago)
What a beautiful castle, amazing collection of hunting animals. We were lucky to be there during its festivities. Great time.
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