Balâtre Castle

Balâtre Castle, locally known as Château-ferme de Balâtre, lies in the village of the same name in the province of Namur, in the Wallonia region in Belgium.

The oldest part of the castle is a square keep in its northern corner, built in the late 12th or early 13th century for the lords of the fief, which at that time was held by Nicolas de Condé and Isabelle de Morialmé. The keep, originally probably taller than it is now, was constructed at a height overlooking the valley of the Grand‑Vaux stream.

Over the following centuries, Balâtre Castle expanded from the keep to form a fortified farm. By the 14th century, northern wings and a semi‑circular tower had been added. A chapel was incorporated into a tower in 1525, and in 1663, a square tower and a grange were built. The early farmhouse wing dates to around 1750, completing the courtyard in a roughly quadrangular layout.

The property passed through several noble families: the Seilles in 1380, del Juverie in 1406, T’Serclaes in 1511, Tilly in 1652, and Ponti until the French Revolution. During the 20th century, the complex fell into disrepair.

In 2021, the dilapidated castle farm was purchased by a private individual who now plans to restore it and is raising funds through a community effort.

A beautiful castle farm. I hope they will be able to raise the money and breathe new life into Balâtre Castle.

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