Écaussinnes-Lalaing Castle

Écaussinnes-Lalaing Castle, locally known as Château-fort d'Écaussinnes-Lalaing, lies in the center of the village of the same name, in the province of Hainaut in the Wallonia region in Belgium.

The castle was built in the 12th century by Baldwin V, Count of Hainaut. It was constructed on a rock beside the Senette stream to defend the County of Hainaut against its neighbors: the County of Flanders and the Duchy of Brabant.

In 1357, the Lady of Écaussinnes, Jeanne de Rœlx, married Simon de Lalaing, Grand Bailiff of Hainaut. In 1428, Marie Lalaing, his great-granddaughter, married Jean de Croÿ.

Jean de Croÿ was an influential and wealthy man, Count of Chimay, Grand Bailiff of Hainaut, and an important advisor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy. He had the castle rebuilt, transforming it from a plain but outdated fortress into a comfortable and prestigious residence. When he died in 1516, the castle’s ownership passed to his niece, Marguerite de Croÿ. When she married Charles de Lalaing in 1528, the castle once again came into the hands of the Lalaing family.

The Lalaing family kept Écaussinnes-Lalaing Castle until 1624, when Marguerite de Lalaing, Lady of Écaussinnes, and her husband, Count Florent de Berlaymont, sold the castle. It was acquired by Philippe van der Burch. During the 18th century, the castle was redecorated in Rococo style, and the current gate tower was added.

The Van der Burch family inhabited the castle until 1854. It was then sold to the Duke of Arenberg, who was primarily interested in the estate's revenue; consequently, the castle fell into disrepair.

During World War I, Écaussinnes-Lalaing Castle was first occupied by German soldiers and later by Canadian troops. In 1922, the castle, then in a state of serious dilapidation, was purchased by Canon Edmond Puissant. He restored the castle and used it to house his collections; in 1926, he opened it to the public. In 1928, Count Adrien van der Burch visited the castle, fell in love with his ancestral home, and repurchased it. He restored the castle’s appearance and expanded its collection to its current state.

Today, Écaussinnes-Lalaing Castle is owned by the Van der Burch Foundation. It is open for guided tours during the summer months. Though the museum's presentation might seem a bit old-fashioned, I believe this adds to the charm of such a historic building.

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