Discover five stunning castles in Hainaut on this Belgian castles road trip. Here’s a full itinerary for a castle-themed day trip, or a leisurely multi-day tour.
This guide introduces five castles – Château de Seneffe, Château de Feluy, Château d’Écaussinnes, Château d’Havré, and Château d’Attre – linked by pleasant drives through the countryside of Hainaut province in Wallonia.
The itinerary for this Belgian castles road trip is totally flexible. You can visit one or two for a day out, or mix and match several stops over a weekend. (I did all five in one day, which was probably a bit much!) Not all the castles are open every day, so choosing the ones that fit your schedule and interests is key. So grab your car keys, pack your camera, and get ready for a journey through historic estates, leafy parks, and charming villages.
Your route map
Below you’ll find a map showing the five castles along with five nearby accommodation ideas and a suggestion for your midday meal. Use it to plan your itinerary and visualize the route. For convenience, I’ve also included the exact addresses of each castle and suggested overnight stay in the sections below – simply enter them into your car’s GPS for turn-by-turn directions. The drives between castles are short and scenic, usually just 15–30 minutes, so the journey itself is part of the enjoyment.
UPDATE: Since writing this post I have created a VoiceMap audio road trip of these castles (and more!). It’s available on the VoiceMap page.
Château de Seneffe – A Grand Beginning
Address: Rue Lucien Plasman 24, 7180 Seneffe
What to see: Located near the town of Seneffe (an easy drive from Brussels via the E19), Château de Seneffe makes a perfect first stop. This 18th-century aristocratic residence now houses the Museum of Silverware, with a permanent collection of over 500 exquisite pieces displayed in themed rooms. As you wander through elegant salons, you don’t just see silver; you experience it with all senses – one room even pipes in the aroma of hot chocolate to accompany antique chocolate pots! The estate’s 22-hectare grounds are equally delightful, featuring formal French gardens, an orangery, an aviary, tranquil ponds, and even a romantic island. It’s a place where you can easily spend a whole morning immersing yourself in the grandeur and intimacy of the 1700s.
Visitor Information: Château de Seneffe is open to individual visitors year-round, Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 (closed on Mondays, except bank holidays). The surrounding park is free to visit every day (08:00–18:00 in winter, extended to 20:00 on summer evenings). You are free to explore the château’s exhibits on your own – there’s a free app for a self-guided tour that you can download to enhance your visit.
More information: Visit the castle’s website. Read my full review of Château de Seneffe.
Accommodation idea: B&B Au fil de l’eau, 22 Rue de Soudromont, 7180 Seneffe.
Château de Feluy – A Photogenic Moated Castle
Address: Rue Victor Rousseau 7, 7181 Feluy
What to see: A short drive north from Seneffe brings you to the village of Feluy, where a medieval fortress-turned-château sits gracefully surrounded by water. Parts of Château de Feluy date back to the 14th century, and it retains the classic look of a moated castle, complete with cylindrical towers and a stone bridge. It’s an inviting sight from the road, but the castle is not regularly open to the general public. However, don’t let that deter you from stopping by. You can still view the castle’s exterior from nearby Rue Victor Rousseau, which offers a great vantage over the moat and gardens. It’s a lovely spot to snap photos.
Visitor Information: Château de Feluy is generally closed to the public except during special events. For example, once a year in June or July the château hosts a lively medieval festival and welcomes the public to enjoy performances and historical reenactments on the grounds. Essentially, consider Feluy a bonus “drive-by” stop: plan to admire the architecture from the exterior unless your trip coincides with a public event.
More information: The castle’s management occasionally posts upcoming public events on their Facebook page, so it’s worth checking ahead if you’re keen to see Feluy from the inside. Otherwise, their website offers detailed info.
Accommodation idea: Aparthotel Le Manoir du Capitaine, Chemin Boulouffe 1, 7181 Feluy.
Château d’Écaussinnes-Lalaing – Medieval Fortress on a Rock
Address: Rue de Seneffe 1, 7191 Écaussinnes
What to see: Continue south through rolling fields to reach Écaussinnes, where an imposing fortress crowns a rocky spur above the village. The Château-Fort d’Écaussinnes-Lalaing is a striking contrast to the refined estate of Seneffe. Here you’ll find thick stone walls, a gated keep, and an authentic medieval atmosphere. The castle’s origins go back to the 12th century, and the ground floor still contains a medieval kitchen, dungeon, chapel, and armory that evoke its feudal past. Upper floors, added in the 17th-18th centuries, introduce later comforts (you’ll see the difference in style as you climb up). Don’t miss the walled kitchen garden just outside – sheltered by high stone walls, this historic garden creates its own microclimate and has been cultivated for centuries with herbs, vegetables, and flowers. It’s a picturesque spot that offers a superb view of the castle’s profile.
Midday meal tip: If your Belgian castles road trip is a one-dayer, then Écaussinnes is an ideal place to pause. I found La Taverne de l’Hôtel de Ville to be ideal. It’s located on the Grand Place in Écaussinnes.
Visitor information: The fortified castle of Écaussinnes is open to individual visitors only on Sunday afternoons, from April through September (14:00–18:00). In those months, you can drop in on any Sunday without reservation – volunteers are on site to welcome visitors, and you can explore the rooms and garden at your leisure. If you are traveling with a larger group (10 or more people), the castle can arrange guided tours by appointment on other days between April and October. Keep in mind the site is closed entirely from October through March for individual visits (aside from special events), so plan your trip for spring or summer if you want to go inside.
More information: The castle’s website.
Accommodation idea: B&B El Tyu, Rue Beaugrand 23, 7190 Écaussinnes-d?Enghien.
Château d’Havré – Romance and Ruins
Address: Rue du Château 30, 7021 Mons (free parking available)
What to see: Turning westward, head toward the outskirts of Mons to find Château d’Havré, a castle with a story of glory, decay, and restoration. First built in the 12th century as a defensive fortress, Havré was transformed in the Renaissance into an elegant residence – hosting notable guests such as Marie of Hungary and painters Rubens and Van Dyck in its heyday. Though much of the castle now stands in picturesque ruins (the roofless halls and weathered towers give it a romantic allure), a local friends’ association has been working since 1979 to preserve what remains and to restore the gardens. The result is a site that feels part open-air museum, part community project. You can wander through the flower-filled formal gardens – known for their roses in summer – and imagine the grand fêtes that once took place here. The Gatehouse Tower (Tour des Gardes) now houses small exhibit rooms, and when open, it’s worth climbing up for displays about the castle’s past and views over the grounds. Château d’Havré offers a very different experience from the other stops: it’s part ruin, part revival, often hosting local events (concerts, medieval fairs, even family days) that bring life back to the old walls.
Visitor information: Château d’Havré has seasonally varied visiting arrangements. From February through November, the interior sections (exhibit rooms, etc.) are technically accessible on weekdays only by guided tour, and you must reserve in advance for those tours (Mon–Fri between 10:00 and 16:00). Casual drop-in visits on a weekday are not possible unless you have arranged a guided visit. Don’t be discouraged, though: in the summertime (mid-May through September), Havré becomes much more open. On weekends and public holidays in that period, 14:00–18:00, the castle’s gardens and courtyard, as well as the small exhibition in the Tour des Gardes, are open to individual visitors without any reservation. The site is closed entirely in December and January. Wear comfortable shoes (the grounds can be a bit uneven in the ruin areas).
More information: The castle’s website.
Accommodation idea: B&B Les Chambourlettes, 53 Rue Guy de Brès, 7000 Mons.
Château d’Attre – An Idyllic Finale
Address: Avenue du Chateau 8, 7941 Brugelette (parking opposite the château)
What to see: For the final stop, drive north into the peaceful countryside near Brugelette to discover Château d’Attre. Tucked away in a wooded park, this elegant château was built in 1752 in a Louis XV neoclassical style. Remarkably, it survives in near-original condition, still furnished with period furniture, artwork, and decor. Visiting Attre is like stepping into an 18th-century time capsule – you can tour the drawing rooms with their painted ceilings, the library with antique books, and the charming bedrooms filled with family heirlooms. Outside, the estate boasts a 17-hectare English landscape park full of whimsical surprises. The most famous is Le Rocher, a 24-meter high artificial rocky mound built in the 1780s, crowned by a rustic Swiss Chalet as a folly. Scattered around the grounds you’ll also find a picturesque dovecote, a hermitage, a bathing pavilion, and romantic garden paths. Château d’Attre is privately owned (the family still lives in one wing), which lends it a warm, lived-in atmosphere. It’s a fitting last stop.
Visitor information: Château d’Attre is open to the public from April through October, but only on specific days. Individual visitors are welcome on Sundays and public holidays, 14:00 to 18:00 during those months. In the peak summer months of July and August, the château adds Saturdays to its opening days. Plan your visit for one of those afternoons – no appointment needed, just arrive and purchase a ticket. Entry to the furnished château interior is by guided tour or audioguide, typically included in the ticket. You can also opt to explore just the park grounds (a cheaper “park only” ticket is available). As with many sites, the château closes over winter, so plan your trip for spring, summer, or early autumn.
More information: The castle’s website
Accommodation idea: L’Auberge de l’Entre-Potes, rue de la fosse Maffle 60/5, 7810 Ath.
Summary of your Belgian Castles Road Trip
This Belgian castles road trip offers a blend of grand estates, medieval ruins, and storybook scenery – all within a relatively small region of Belgium. You can tailor the journey to your interests and timeframe. If you love art and aristocratic opulence, Seneffe and Attre will charm you with their furnished interiors and gardens. If you’re drawn to medieval history, Écaussinnes provides that authentic fortress feel (and Feluy can be admired as a classic moated stronghold from the outside). For a touch of romantic decay and community spirit, Havré is unmissable.
Finally, remember that this itinerary is flexible: you can condense it into one ambitious day trip (that’s what I did but it was quite tiring) or stretch it out over a relaxed weekend. Have a wonderful trip, and happy castle hunting! Any questions, just ask.
I created Discovering Belgium in 2011 to share the country’s hidden stories, fascinating places, and remarkable people. Through articles, photography, and audio walks, I share discoveries that reveal Belgium beyond the obvious. Hope you enjoy this site.
These all look wonderful, Denzil. I’d probably head first to Lalaing and the medieval experience, but if the women in my family learn of a chocolate-scented room, I guess Seneffe would be the first stop. All of them sound just great.
Yes that’s high on the untouched authenticity rating Robert. But the chocolate is a strong pull!
Denzil, the gold trimmings of the Château de Seneffe’s neoclassical facade brought to mind our Dear Leader who loves to surround himself with gold artifacts/decorations. I love the expansive castle garden of Château d’Havré.
Like his scheme for a lavish White House ballroom? Thanks for reading and commenting Rosaliene.
God morning Denzil
I have sent your post to my cousin who lives in Antwerp. I’ll be interested to hear if she has ever visited any of those castles.
Thanks Yvonne, she has probably heard of Seneffe and Attre. They are the most popular.