Château de Beaumont

They turned the castle fortress into a palatial renaissance structure of unparalleled luxury and magnificence.

The palace had its heyday under prince-duke Charles III de Croÿ, an avid collector, who filled its halls and galleries with an outstanding art collection.

Around 1070, Richilde, Countess of Hainaut (1020-1086) constructed a castle at Beaumont with a chapel dedicated to Saint Venantius.

It stood on the edge of a small plateau on the right bank of the Hantes river, overlooking the valley.

[2] Throughout the 15th century, thanks to its fortress and its solid walls, Beaumont escaped the devastation which accompanied the conflicts ravaging the region.

[4][2][3] Antoine played a key role in the Burgundian court and 15th century French politics.

[2] Antoine was succeeded by his son Philip I de Croÿ (1435-1511), who was raised together with Charles the Bold (1433-1477).

[2] William was the chief tutor and first chamberlain to Charles V (1500-1558), Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain.

[citation needed] Charles III made the palace-fortress of Beaumont his favourite residence, next to his castle in Heverlee.

Charles III is famous for the creation of his ‘Albums de Croÿ’, a collection of 2,500 detailed illustrated maps of all his domains and possessions.

[4] The Albums offer us today an important topographical insight into the cities and villages of the Southern Netherlands.

The princes de Chimay acquired a hotel at the market place in Beaumont, where they staid when visiting the city.