Havré Castle

Havré Castle, locally known as Château d'Havré, lies in the town of the same name, in the province of Hainaut in the Wallonia region in Belgium.

The first fortification at this site was built in the 12th century and served as an advanced defense post for the town of Mons along the Haine River. It was owned by the Enghien family, who gave the castle its current rectangular layout.

In 1365, Havré Castle was nearly destroyed when it was seized by a Flemish army that occupied the region.

In 1518, Havré Castle was transferred to Philippe de Croÿ through an exchange. In March 1578, the castle was besieged by a small army, and the defenders surrendered immediately, keeping the castle intact. However, in July of that year, when the village was attacked and captured after heavy artillery fire, the castle suffered severe damage and went up in flames.

Charles-Alexandre de Croÿ had the castle rebuilt in 1600 into a lavish residence. He was an important figure: a Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece, Chamberlain of Albert VII, Archduke of Austria, and a Prince in the Holy Roman Empire. He hosted many notable guests, including painter Peter Paul Rubens, Marie de Médici (wife of King Henry IV of France), the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain, Mary of Hungary (Governess of the Netherlands), the Duke of Marlborough, and the Prince of Savoy.

Later, the castle fell into disuse until 1839, after it was abandoned by the Croÿ family.

Throughout the 20th century, Havré Castle, which had fallen into disrepair, was vandalized and left to overgrow. In recent decades, the castle was restored to its current appearance. When I visited, restorations were still underway.

Today, Havré Castle can be visited for a fee. It is a very beautiful castle.

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