Château de Modave

About the museum

Modave Castle, built in the Middle Ages on a rocky spur 60 metres above the Hoyoux valley, was partly destroyed in the mid-17th century. It was then restored and given a classical façade, making it an elegant country residence, extended by gardens originally laid out in the French style. The Count of Marchin gave it its present appearance; its occupants also included Maximilian Henry of Bavaria, Prince-Bishop of Liège, Cardinal Fürstenberg and the families Montmorency, Lamarche and Braconier. Since 1941 it has belonged to Vivaqua, formerly the Compagnie intercommunale bruxelloise des eaux. It has been listed as a major heritage site of Wallonia since 1993.

The visit, with an audio guide in eight languages, covers more than 25 rooms from the ground floor to the first floor, then the basements, where a film presents Vivaqua's water catchments. Remarkable 17th-century stuccoes adorn the ceilings; carved panelling, tapestries and large painted canvases cover the walls, along with exceptional 18th- and 19th-century furniture. One room is devoted to the water wheel built at Modave in the 17th century, attributed to Renkin Sualem, which served as the model for the Marly machine that supplied water to Versailles.

The gardens can be visited free of charge during the castle's opening hours, and the estate opens onto a 450-hectare nature reserve.

Highlights

• More than 25 rooms to explore with an audio guide in eight languages
• 17th-century stuccoes, carved panelling, tapestries and 18th- and 19th-century furniture
• Room devoted to the Modave water wheel, the model for the Marly machine
• Gardens free of charge and a terrace with a view over the Hoyoux valley
• Listed as a major heritage site of Wallonia since 1993

Permanent exhibition

• Visite du château et de ses jardins – Audio-guided route through more than 25 rooms, from the water wheel to the 17th-century décor, with a film on the water catchments.

Operated by

Château de Modave ASBL (propriété de Vivaqua)

Admission & discounts

The audio guide, which lasts about 50 minutes, is included in the ticket. Article 27: €1.25. The gardens can be visited free of charge during the castle's opening hours; a garden guide is sold for €3 at reception.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Access for people with reduced mobility only on the ground floor; assistance dogs allowed. Access-i label for the gardens.

Kids & families

Audio commentaries on the gardens in a children's version, downloadable as MP3.

Getting there & parking

By car: from Brussels, Namur or Mons, take the E42 Namur–Liège, exit 7 towards Huy, then Modave; from Liège, the N63 Liège–Marche (Condroz road), Modave exit. RAVeL cycle path (line 126) nearby; a 7.5 km walk (“Petit Modave”) starts at the castle.

Amenities & dining

Picnic area in the former stables.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Private “visit and music” package (guided tour, concert on the historic piano and a glass of wine) for groups of at least 12 participants.

Plan your visit