Freÿr Castle and Gardens

The most Latin of Belgium's castles and gardens , with its Versailles-like atmosphere on the banks of the Ardennes Meuse, bears a striking resemblance to the Loire Valley châteaux. This Renaissance residence, expanded into a ducal home in the 17th and 18th centuries, boasts a refined and cosmopolitan interior. It has hosted royal guests such as Louis XIV, Stanislas Leszynski, Maria Christina of Austria, and Prince Naru Hito. In 1675, the historic Treaty of Freÿr led to the first coffee tasting in the country. Freÿr is surrounded by a classical garden of varied styles, exuding profound peace and serenity and inviting contemplation and meditation. It features the oldest orangery in the country, with its three-hundred-year-old orange trees, a 6-km maze, and a charming Trianon.