Hirschstein

A magnificent panoramic view. The site of so much suffering on the part of King Leopold III and his family, the castle was later turned into a children's sanatorium.

Louvignies

The castle of Louvignies (Hainaut). During her later years, Berthe Petit, mystic of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, used to visit here in the summers. She was buried in the village chapel.

Photos courtesy of Jean-Pol Grandmont.

Ciergnon

A lovely country chateau, the Royal Castle of Ciergnon, near the village of the same name. The castle is a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian royal family.

Photo credits here.

There are touching stories associated with Ciergnon. One illustrates the piety and simplicity of Albert I. When he visited Ciergnon, he would go to Confession in the village church, taking his place in line, and declining to go before his turn.

Queen Astrid loved Ciergnon; after all, she had been raised, to a great extent, in the countryside herself, in Sweden.

Princess Marie-Esmeralda of Belgium, daughter of Leopold III and his second wife, Princess Lilian, recalls, in her book, Léopold III, mon père, visiting Ciergnon with her family and playing on the grounds of the chateau, with great enjoyment.

Freÿr

HERE is the website of the castle and gardens of Freÿr, along the banks of the Meuse. This magnificent place is one of Wallonia's most important cultural attractions. Named after the Norse goddess of beauty, Freÿr has a long, distinguished history; since the 1300's, 20 generations of the same family have lived here. Visitors through the centuries have included King Louis XIV of France, Archduchess Maria Christina, daughter of Empress Maria Theresa, and H.I.H. Prince Naru Hito of Japan.

The top and bottom photos are courtesy of Jean-Pol Grandmont; the three middle ones are from the Freÿr website, full of pictures, history, and humor.
The main hall (Credits: J.L. Torsin)
The dining room (Credits: B. Dupiereux)
The "King's Room" where Louis XIV stayed. (Credits: Hans Juergen Benz)

Ciergnon

A lovely country chateau, the Royal Castle of Ciergnon, near the village of the same name. The castle is a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian royal family. 

Photo credits here.

There are touching stories associated with Ciergnon. One illustrates the piety and simplicity of Albert I. When he visited Ciergnon, he would go to Confession in the village church, taking his place in line, and declining to go before his turn. 

Queen Astrid loved Ciergnon; after all, she had been raised, to a great extent, in the countryside herself, in Sweden.

Princess Marie-Esmeralda of Belgium, daughter of Leopold III and his second wife, Princess Lilian, recalls, in her book, Léopold III, mon père, visiting Ciergnon with her family and playing on the grounds of the chateau, with great enjoyment.