Walzin Castle — Attraction in Dinant

Hidden less than 10 kilometers from the center of Dinant in the province Namur, district of Dréhance, the Walzin Castle (Château de Walzin) is probably the most beautiful castle in Belgium.

Stands at a unique location: on top of a cliff just above the Lesse river, this Gothic-Revival castle is a classic example of a castle built on a natural feature, giving it a strategic advantage because of its overview of the surrounding terrain – recreating an actual eagle’s nest. This allowed the Walzin Castle, built in the 11th century – to be built as a residence and less as a pure fortress.

Over the years, Walzin Castle was destroyed four times from land, leaving only the 11th-century watchtowers towers preserved. It survived various military attacks, such as those of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège in 1489 and the French army in 1554.

The renovations started when Baron Alfred Brugmann bought the ruins in 1850. In 1881 these renovations were finished by the Spanish-Flemish architect Émile Janlet. Unfortunately, we have to consult paintings and drawings to know what the castle looked like at the time, because in 1930, Baron Frédéric Brugmann started a new round of renovations. These new renovations were led by architect Octave Flanneau, after which Walzin Castle got its current, well-known appearance in 1932.

Something also worth mentioning is that the gardens of the castle were designed by architect Louis Julien Breydel, who is known for his works at the Botanical Garden in Brussels.

While The Walzin Castle is – unfortunately – not open to the public, it still draws number of visitors, as the region around the Walzin Castle is known for its hiking paths, mountain bike trails, kayak trips and rope courses... Also lots of photographers travel here to to capture the castle, either from a cliff located several hundred meters next to the castle or cross the Lesse-river and photograph the castle from the field opposite the castle during the morning, which allows them to witness the fog and sunrise from a beautiful point of view.

Visitors can also find some of Belgium’s most impressive castles and ruins around Dinant, such as: Castle of Vêves, Furfooz, Station Royale d’Ardenne, Rocher Bayard, Castle of Freÿr, Citadelle de Dinant, Collégiale Notre Dame de Dinant, Grotte la Merveilleuse... Those would make it easy to spend a full day visiting Walzin Castle and its neighboring attractions.

Just be noted: The road signs and the local population will refer to Château de Walzin instead of Walzin Castle, because it is located in Dinant - the French-speaking part of Belgium.

Some photos courtesy of...

Although the description says the castle property is open to the public, it clearly is not!!We were looking forward to being able to wander around the grounds and possibly go inside, thinking that this was a kind of ruin castle. Is however is not. It is confusing for people from out of the area. It is difficult to get to as the roads are narrow and cobbled. We would’ve been fine had we known there was not open to the public. There were private property signs all over leading into the castle and it was fenced off as it work or being done on it. The directions told us to come into the backside which was no good and then we drove to the front side which was also no good. The only way to see this castle is from a kayak which you can rent down the river. Hope this helps someone else with some of the...

What a lovely place! Beautiful castle!!!! The view of the castle is fantastic. I visited the place with my family. It’s a private property and you can not enter but can be seen from outside.

Park your car in Rue Du barrage then walk and cross the bridge 2-3 mnt walks to get the view of the castle.

If you've read guides saying you have to jump a fence or crawl under barbed wire, these are not correct. There is a path to the left of the area where people have clearly walked under a barbed wire fence. Take the path on the left, as it is...