Top 7 Castles around Ath

The Château de Belœil, often called the "Belgian Versailles," is renowned for its magnificent 120-hectare French-style gardens, complete with an artificial lake. The Anvaing Castle also features beautiful English and French gardens, a park, and an orangery. Additionally, Attre Castle boasts a unique 17-hectare listed park combining English and woodland garden styles, including a belvedere tower and an artificial cave.

The Château de Belœil is a treasure trove of history and art, housing a rich collection of period furniture from the 17th and 18th centuries, an extensive art collection, and a library with 20,000 rare volumes. The Château des Princes de Ligne (Château d'Antoing) also offers a deep dive into aristocratic history with its grand halls, ornate furnishings, and connections to significant historical events.

Many castles, like the Château de Belœil, often open seasonally, typically from April through September. It's always best to check specific opening hours before your visit. For example, the Belœil domain is generally open on weekends during September. Visiting in spring or early autumn can offer pleasant weather for exploring the extensive gardens.

Many castles in the region are considered family-friendly, offering expansive grounds and historical insights. The large gardens of Château de Belœil provide ample space for children to explore, and the château occasionally hosts special events like a Peter Pan spectacle. The diverse park at Attre Castle with its unique features can also be engaging for families.

At Château de Belœil, dogs are generally allowed in the park but not inside the castle itself. It's advisable to check the specific rules for other castles before your visit, as policies can vary.

Yes, you can explore the Ruins of Château d'Ormeignies for a glimpse into a historical site that is less frequented. Additionally, the Tour Burbant in Ath itself is a significant medieval dungeon, offering insight into the town's earlier fortifications without the crowds of a grand château.

The region around Ath offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous cycling routes, such as the "Château de Beloeil Path" or the "RAVeL des Collines," which often pass by or near these historical sites. For hiking, there are options like the "Waterfall hikes around Ath" guide. You can explore more routes and guides on komoot's Ath guides.

The Château des Princes de Ligne (Château d'Antoing) offers guided tours where visitors can ascend its dungeon tower for panoramic views of the surrounding region. The Old observation towers, which belong to Château de Belœil, also provide interesting viewpoints.

The duration of a visit can vary. For larger estates like Château de Belœil with its extensive gardens and interiors, you could easily spend half a day or more. Smaller sites or ruins might only require an hour or two. It depends on your interest in exploring the grounds, interiors, and any special exhibitions.

The castles around Ath showcase a range of architectural styles. You'll find the grand Louis XIV style at Château d'Attre, Neo-Classical elements at Attre Castle, and Renaissance influences at Anvaing Castle. The Château de Belœil, while largely rebuilt, retains elements of its 15th-century fortified origins combined with later opulent designs. The Tour Burbant in Ath represents medieval military architecture.

The Château d'Attre is considered one of Belgium's most authentic 18th-century castles. Both its architecture and interiors, with their period decor and furnishings, offer a remarkably well-preserved glimpse into that era. The Attre Castle also features interiors mainly in the Louis Quinze style.

Visitors frequently praise the magnificent gardens and beautiful perspectives on the water bodies at Château de Belœil, often calling it the "Versailles of Belgium." The grandeur of the buildings, the swans in the moat, and the surrounding forests are also highly appreciated. The unique and diverse landscaped park of Attre Castle is another highlight for many.