Castle Frëyr
Château de Frëyr

Known for its pretty gardens and long history, Castle Frëyr is a great sight to see in Namur.

Belgium has tons of castles, but Castle Frëyr stands out for its pretty gardens and even prettier location. Right on the edge of the river, surrounded by nature, Castle Frëyr is a beautiful place to visit just a 10 minute drive from Dinant.

Castle gardens

Stroll through the charming French garden. Known for its pretty fountains and orange trees, the gardens of Castle Frëyr are in classic Renaissance style. Don’t miss the swan fountains and orange trees lining the walkways. Some of the orange trees are 350+ years old.

• Mazes: don’t miss the 6km hedges in the garden. This part of the garden is inspired by the designs of French landscape architect André Le Nôtre.
• Winter: during the winter months, the orange trees are moved to the orangeries. They’re actually the oldest orangeries in the Low Countries. Even though you can’t see the orange trees in the winter, the garden is quite pretty in all the snow.

Inside Castle Frëyr

You can go inside for an extra fee, so long as you book ahead. Inside you’ll see furniture from the Dukes of Beaufort-Spont, traces of royal visits, and information on the 20 generations of the noble family that made a home here. Might be worth a look for history buffs, but the garden is the real highlight of Castle Frëyr.

• Inside the castle, you’ll find fully decorated and authentic Renaissance rooms. Including bedrooms, halls, and a chapel.
• Royal guests have included King Louis XIV of France and, more recently, Emperor Naruhito of Japan.

Fun fact: coffee was drunk for the first time in Belgium right here in Castle Frëyr. A treaty between France and Spain was signed here in 1675. The treaty is often called the Coffee Treaty.