Top 6 Castles around Spiere-Helkijn

The castle and its outbuildings will soon be taken over by companies specializing in the renovation of historical monuments. Les Amis du Château d'En Haut (non-profit organization) specializes in estate rentals, and the proceeds are redistributed to restoration projects (Pineal Project: workshops, ceremonies, product presentations, exhibitions, performances, etc.). This is stated at: www.chateaudebossuit.com When I passed by, the gate on Kasteeldreef was simply open. There was nothing to indicate that the estate was inaccessible. For example, in the garden to the left of the castle, there seemed to be the remains of a pop-up bar or some kind of public event. When I left the estate on the Doorniksesteenweg side, the automatic gate gently opened for me. When I turned around, I saw a sign saying "Private / No Access."

The Castle of the Counts is the only example of monumental civil architecture from before the 19th century in Mouscron. Four great families of Seigneurs succeeded one another here over six centuries. Today, on this vast estate, you can still admire the Tournai-style castle, as well as a farmyard surrounded by the remains of outbuildings from the 16th and 17th centuries, and a site surrounded by moats. A self-guided walk around the moats offers you the opportunity to explore the entire estate. Two major historical events have left a lasting mark on local tradition and folklore: the visit of Charles V, who spent the night in the castle, and the atrocities of the famous Hurlus, followers of Luther (during the Wars of Religion) who pillaged the region, occupied the castle for three months, and stole its furnishings. Source: visitwapi.be

Today, the Camille Depinoy municipal school is partly housed in the castle (park).

The lordship of Templeuve is already mentioned at the end of the 13th century. In 1278, Guillaume de Mortagne received the lordship of Rumez, which is now a hamlet within the municipality. Guillaume was also lord of Dossemer, near Templeuve. It is assumed that he also received the lordship of Templeuve from there. In any case, his son, Guillaume II, gave it to his wife as a dowry in the early 14th century. Dossemer and Templeuve remained in the hands of the Mortagne family until the end of the 14th century. This family presumably gradually expanded the manor, thus laying the foundation for the first fortified castle in Templeuve-en-Dossimer. In 1414, only Templeuve came into the possession of the du Quesnoy family. The Blondel and finally the Lannoy families followed. Around 1500, the castle likely became a manor house and a farm. The evolution of military weapons led the lords to demolish the old, cumbersome fortress and replace it with a lavish and modern residence. Out of respect for feudal traditions, which would continue for another two centuries, the moat was preserved, but the drawbridge was replaced by a permanent stone bridge. Originally, moats ran along all sides of the castle. The moat surrounding the castle on the east side was removed in 1845 by Victor de Formanoir de la Cazerie. The towers, a privilege of the noble lord, are preserved more as decoration than as a means of defense, as is the quadrangular shape, which was once dictated by military necessity. In short, its appearance as a 'castle' or 'fort' is more defined by tradition and grandeur than by military function. Source: Wikipedia

However dilapidated the castle may be, the future promises improvement: The current owners of the castle, Pierre and Annie Moulin-Duthoit and their children, are responsible for its restoration, particularly Olivier Moulin, who wrote a thesis on this heritage at the end of his architectural studies. ...that's why you can see signs of construction work from a distance (approaching close is not permitted). Source: leershistorique.fr

The Château de Royères, probably around 1100, was a feudal motte with a wooden tower and a retractable walkway... which Havide de Néchin brought as a dowry to Lambert de Wattrelos. The inhabitants of Tournai submitted to Philip II Augustus. The Tournai region would belong to the French royal family for over 300 years (1187-1521). La Royère is located in the Château de Lille, in the Flanders region, on the hills of Leers and Néchin, on the edge of the Wattines forest, on the border with Tournaisis: it is the castle of the border. In 1227, it was probably a feudal motte with a stone tower that was purchased by Arnoul IV. Wealthier than the seller Hugues de Roubaix, he may have had Tournai's stone walls built. From 1500 onwards, the lords of Roubaix also became lords of La Royère through marriage: the de Werchin and the de Melun. Pierre de Melun, governor of Tournai, lord of Roubaix and La Royère, and a Protestant supporter, was considered civilly dead by Philip II, the Catholic king. His possessions passed to the Ligne family through Anne de Melun. As a supporter of the Edict of Nantes (Henry IV, 1598), Louis XIV returned La Royère to the de Melun family. This led to family disputes: the property first went to the de Ligne family and then back to the de Melun family. A Crombez from Tournai bought La Royère, 35 hectares (Popp map circa 1850). Miss Crombez de Remond de Montmort married Count Ferdinand Costa de Saint-Gérix de Beauregard… Everything was then sold to farmers. Source: leershistorique.fr

Marcel Marlier Centre "Draw Me, Mart" https://www.mouscron.be/fr/centre-marcel-marlier/accueil

The Castle of Bossuit and the accompanying Orangery are still inhabited by the noble family de Talhouet. The lordship of Bossuit was a fief from the bishopric of Tournai. The lords of Bossuit sold the domain to the Luytens family in 1710. Michiel Maximiliaan Luytens later became Viscount of Bossuit. He renovated the original castle, had a park built and the castle got the four corner towers. The castle is neoclassical, inspired by the French Loire castle construction. The castle is protected as a monument (1995), as a valuable oeuvre of the 18th century Lille architect Lesaffre. The interiors are executed in a neat Louis XVI style with Louis XV elements. We find salons with rococo decoration and a rich library. In the staircase are numerous hunting trophies and several family portraits. The party took place in the Orangery, which was held in the presence of Leopold I, on the occasion of the official opening of the Bossuit-Kortrijk Canal in 1860. The castle park with pond and the castle avenue are protected as a village view. The castle domain is not accessible.