Top 11 Castles around Fontaine-L'Évêque
Castles around Fontaine-L'Évêque offer a glimpse into centuries of regional history in Wallonia, Belgium. The area is characterized by its historical significance, with structures dating back to the 13th century. These sites showcase diverse architectural styles, from medieval foundations to Renaissance facades and later additions. While some castles serve as municipal buildings, their grounds and exteriors are often accessible, providing a tangible link to the past.
Best castles around Fontaine-L'Évêque
- The most popular castles is Ham-sur-Heure Castle, a historical site with origins in the 15th century. This well-preserved building features robust towers and Renaissance facades, surrounded by a garden and moat.
- Another must-see spot is Château d'Hourpes, a castle with an industrial history and a unique, eclectic style. It was built between 1887 and 1888, featuring elements that include an Asian influence.
- Visitors also love Monceau Castle, a fortified castle that has been prominent in the history of Charleroi since 1143. It has undergone many attacks and improvements over the centuries, with major restoration work completed in 1977.
- Fontaine-L'Évêque is known for its historical castles, including those with medieval origins, Renaissance transformations, and 19th-century neo-medieval influences. Visitors can explore a variety of castle types, from well-preserved structures to the remains of former fortifications.
- The castles around Fontaine-L'Évêque are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 180 upvotes and over 70 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: July 8, 2026
Château d'Hourpes
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Thomas Bonehill, during a trip to Bohemia, was amazed at the sight of a castle; he had a replica built between 1887 and 1888 for the daughter of Emile Bonehill-Servais, with a concierge's lodge on the left and a stable on the right.
The Bonehills operated two factories in Hourpes, and had the mining village built there, which is still there today. They went bankrupt in 1926, and the equipment was dismantled and transferred to Ireland ten years later."
waymarking.com/waymarks/wm11K38_Chteau_de_Hourpes_Thuin_Belgique
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Monceau Castle
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A few years later, the Gavre family inherited the castle and lived there for two centuries; then it was acquired by the Houtard family. In 1936, the town of Monceau bought it. On August 22, 1914, the Château de Monceau-sur-Sambre narrowly escaped the scorched earth policy led by the Germans when 251 houses in the town were ransacked.
The domain passed into the hands of the City of Charleroi during the merger of the municipalities. Unfortunately the site had suffered a lot of damage. In 1977, the City of Charleroi, owner of the castle, decided to carry out major restoration work there.
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Cartier Castle (Château de Cartier)
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In 1667, the unfinished Spanish fortress of Charleroy is captured by Louis XIV's troops during the War of Devolution. As the castle in Marchienne was located in neutral territory (under authority of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège), it was used as a hospital for both French and Spanish soldiers.
In 1695, the castle is bought by Guillaume de Bilquin, a wealthy forge owner, who completes and enhances it. In 1717, his daughter, Marie-Agnès Bilquin, marries Jean-Louis Cartier, son of the general treasurer of the prince-bishop of Liège. As such, the castle becomes the property of the Cartier de Marchienne family.
In 1740, the castle hosts Remacle Le Loup, a famous draftsman from the Liège region. It is severely damaged by a fire in 1932, and bought over by the municipality of Marchienne-au-Pont in 1938, ending more than two centuries of ownership by the Cartier family.
Marguerite Yourcenar, a Belgian-born French novelist and essayist, and the first woman elected to the Académie française, is the daughter of Fernande de Cartier de Marchienne, from the Cartier family related to the Cartier castle. She visited the castle in Marchienne-au-Pont in 1956, and mentions her Cartier de Marchienne ancestry and the castle in her 1974 memoir Dear Departed: A Memoir (French: Souvenirs pieux).
The Cartier castle was listed on 21 August 1980. It underwent restoration in phases between 1986 and 2001, after having been left in a sorry condition (infested by dry rot).
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Ham-sur-Heure Castle
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Remains of the former castle of Mont-sur-Marchienne
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Tips from the Community
Very beautiful park and woods
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The Château de Ham-sur-Heure is a historic castle complex with origins in the 15th century, located in the centre of the village of Ham-sur-Heure. This well-preserved building, with its robust towers and elegant Renaissance facades, has undergone various modifications over the centuries. Surrounded by a picturesque garden and a wide moat, it is an impressive example of Walloon castles and an atmospheric place to explore the history of the region.
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There are still two towers in Mont-sur-Marchienne. At 50 m from each other.
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The village of Mont-sur-Marchienne is mentioned for the first time in a list of properties managed by the Abbey of Lobbes in the 9th century. The land belonged at the time to the Bishop of Liège who had received it from the King of Germany, Arnould de Carinthie. From the end of the 10th century, the seigneury of Mont-sur-Marchienne was therefore in the principality of Liège. The solicitors of this town also own the seigneury of Montigny-le-Tilleul. In 1408, the prince-bishop personally regained control of the property for two long centuries. In 1616, the seigniory was committed to the Bilquin-de Cartier family. In the center of the entity, on either side of rue Cardinal Mercier, are the remains of the Château de la Torre, built in the 16th century and which then served as a castle-farm. Around 1570, the building belonged to the bailiff of Marchienne before falling to the Spanish family of Torre y Butron Muxica. In the 19th century, the castle was transformed into a recreation center by the owners of a steelworks before being destroyed between 1942 and 1947 to make way for a residential area. At the entrance to Rue de l'Industrie and Rue du Château are two circular turrets that once flanked the southern flank of the castle. They are surmounted by a polygonal roof with a slate steeple and were built of limestone rubble.
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This is not entirely correct and the source is not credible. Thomas Bonehill died in 1858 and therefore cannot have started the construction of the castle in 1887. It was his son Emile who initiated it (for his daughter Elisa, information to be validated).
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"In Hourpes, the second residence linked to the family of Thomas Bonehill, an English engineer and founder of the Forges de la Providence in Marchienne-au-Pont (a company specializing in steel production), still exists. Thomas Bonehill, during a trip to Bohemia, was amazed at the sight of a castle; he had a replica built between 1887 and 1888 for the daughter of Emile Bonehill-Servais, with a concierge's lodge on the left and a stable on the right. The Bonehills operated two factories in Hourpes, and had the mining village built there, which is still there today. They went bankrupt in 1926, and the equipment was dismantled and transferred to Ireland ten years later." https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/wm11K38_Chteau_de_Hourpes_Thuin_Belgique
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Frequently Asked Questions
What historical periods do the castles around Fontaine-L'Évêque represent?
The castles in this region span several centuries, with origins as early as the 13th century. You'll find structures with medieval foundations, Renaissance transformations, and 19th-century neo-medieval influences, reflecting a rich and varied history.
What is the main castle in Fontaine-L'Évêque itself?
The town of Fontaine-L'Évêque is home to the historic Fontaine-l'Évêque Castle, also known as Château Bivort. Dating back to the 13th century, it originally served as a feudal castle and has undergone numerous transformations. Today, it functions as the municipal hall.
Can I visit the interior of Fontaine-l'Évêque Castle?
The interior of Fontaine-l'Évêque Castle is generally not open to the public as it houses the municipal administration. However, the grounds and exterior are freely accessible, allowing you to appreciate its imposing presence and architectural details. Interior access may be possible with prior permission from the municipal administration.
Are there any castles with unique architectural styles nearby?
Yes, Château d'Hourpes stands out with its eclectic style, built between 1887 and 1888, and even features elements with an Asian influence. It has a fascinating industrial history tied to the Bonehill family.
Which castles are particularly well-preserved?
Ham-sur-Heure Castle is a well-preserved historic complex with origins in the 15th century. It features robust towers and elegant Renaissance facades, surrounded by a picturesque garden and a wide moat.
Are there any castles with a long and prominent history in the region?
Monceau Castle has been a significant fortified castle in the history of Charleroi since 1143. It has endured many attacks and undergone numerous improvements and major restoration work over the centuries.
What kind of outdoor activities can I do near these castles?
The region offers various outdoor activities. You can explore numerous hiking trails, with options ranging from easy to moderate, such as those around Aulne Abbey. For cyclists, there are gravel biking and road cycling routes available. You can find more details on these activities in the hiking guide, gravel biking guide, and road cycling guide for Fontaine-L'Évêque.
Are there any castles with connections to famous historical figures or literature?
Cartier Castle has a notable history, including being captured by Louis XIV's troops in 1667. It also has a literary connection, as the novelist Marguerite Yourcenar, whose mother was from the Cartier de Marchienne family, mentioned her ancestry and the castle in her memoir 'Souvenirs pieux'.
Can I see any remains of older fortifications?
Yes, you can visit the Remains of the former castle of Mont-sur-Marchienne. This site, once a 16th-century castle-farm, now features two circular turrets that originally flanked its southern side, offering a glimpse into past fortifications.
What is the best time of year to visit the castles around Fontaine-L'Évêque?
While castles can be visited year-round, spring and autumn generally offer pleasant weather for exploring the exteriors and grounds. These seasons provide comfortable temperatures for walking and enjoying the surrounding landscapes without the extremes of summer heat or winter cold.
What do visitors particularly enjoy about the castles in this area?
Visitors appreciate the tangible link to centuries of regional history, the diverse architectural elements from medieval to Renaissance styles, and the opportunity to explore the grounds and exteriors of these historic sites. The komoot community has shared over 70 photos and given more than 180 upvotes, highlighting the visual appeal and historical significance.
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