Griffon du Bois Tower

The Griffon du Bois Tower, locally known as Tour de Griffon du Bois or Tour de Griffon du Bos, stands in the village of Corbais, in the province of Walloon Brabant in the Wallonia region in Belgium.

The seigniory of Corbais was dependent on Walhain Castle and was connected to the nearby Alvaux Tower. Arnould de Corbais, a knight and son of Jacques de Walhain, held the seigniory in the 2nd quarter of the 13th century. He probably built this tower. The seigniory remained in the hands of the Walhain family until the mid-15th century.

In 1403-1404, a vassal of the Walhain family, Griffon de Bos or Du Bois, held Corbais. Undoubtedly, in his memory, the seigniory and the tower have been named after him since the 15th century.

In 1458, Jean de Corbais sold the tower to the Heetvelde family. Later, it passed to other families through alliances, including the Hinckart, Hellin, and finally the Vaernewijck family.

A sale contract from 1619 describes the tower as a beautiful, recently repaired tower with a cellar, two rooms, an attic, and three dovecotes.

In the 20th century, it was probably used as a residence, perhaps after it received its roof, which gave it its unusual appearance.

When I visited, the Griffon du Bois Tower appeared to be unused, and its interior could not be visited. There is a very small memorial garden in front.

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