Château de Reinhardstein
14th-century fortress, rebuilt and fully refurnished, overlooking the Warche valley near Waimes; guided tour of about one hour.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Reinhardstein Castle stands on a rocky spur above the Warche, at Ovifat (Waimes), some 800 metres downstream from the Robertville dam. In 1354, Wenceslas of Luxembourg authorised Renaud de Waimes to build a fortress on this site. The Waimes family later died out, and the castle passed to the Zivelle, then the Brandscheid and then the Nassau families.
In 1550, the marriage of Anne de Nassau and William of Metternich brought Reinhardstein into this powerful Rhenish family, which kept it until the French Revolution. In 1812 the Count of Metternich, father of Chancellor Klemens, sold it; abandoned, the building deteriorated badly over the following decades.
In 1965, Brussels teacher Jean Overloop discovered the ruins and decided to restore them. With a few enthusiasts and the know-how of local craftsmen, he rebuilt the fortress, which is now run by the non-profit association (asbl) Reinhardstein. The castle is fully refurnished and visited like a small museum: the Knights' Hall, the Guards' Hall, the chapel, the apartments and the keep, with armour, paintings, chests and tapestries.
Highlights
- Medieval fortress rebuilt and fully refurnished
- Guided tour in costume through the Knights' Hall, the Guards' Hall, the chapel, the apartments and the keep
- Spectacular site on a rock above the Warche, with a waterfall
- Armour, paintings, chests and tapestries
- Access only on foot from the car park, 550 m away
Permanent exhibition
- Château meublé et visite guidée – Knights' Hall, Guards' Hall, chapel, apartments and keep, furnished with armour, paintings, chests and tapestries.
- Operated by
- Reinhardstein asbl
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €10Children, students and seniors aged 65 and over |
| Children & teens | €10free up to age 5 · Free for under 6s. |
| Seniors | €10From age 65. |
| Students & apprentices | €10 |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Guided group tours by reservation all year round. |
| School visit (per pupil) | €9Duration 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes; teacher or accompanying adult €10; one free accompanying adult per 15 pupils; preferential rate on weekdays. |
Dogs on a lead are admitted free of charge.
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
The castle is difficult to access for people with reduced mobility. Drop-off in the castle courtyard and parking nearby are available only with prior request and booking at +32 80 44 68 68.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Stroller-friendly: not available
School visit with guides in costume; introduction to archery (€6 per child, from 10 people). The castle is only accessible on foot from the car park, which makes access with a pushchair difficult.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Ovifat Route du Cheneux · 1 km
TEC lines 748 (Sourbrodt – Waimes – Saint-Vith) and 845 (Stavelot – Malmedy – Bütgenbach – Sourbrodt), stop “Ovifat Route du Cheneux”, 1 km away.
By car
Parking available · 550 m to the entrance
Car parks 550 m from the castle; cars and coaches cannot go any further.
The castle is only accessible on foot.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
Castle tavern (light meals and drinks, the Soupe des Manants (peasants' soup) and a buffet menu for groups by reservation).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours only, in French and Dutch; on Saturdays also in German at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00. Visit documents in English and German are available. Introduction to archery for groups of 10 or more. |
