The time I visited Franchimont, a medieval knight's dream
Gaël Bassetto, The Happy Encounter
Member for 4 years 5 months
Père et mari avant tout
Le local, c'est génial !
We discovered the life of Knights in Franchimont
5 minutes Reading
An impregnable fortress. A knight’s armour. A gleaming sword. These are the perfect props for an unforgettable journey back in time in Franchimont. The Ardennes heritage is also about the countless castles that are dotted all over the Ardennes.
The Ardennes is peppered with stately and imposing castles, castles steeped in history that will leave no one indifferent. The Franchimont Castle, perched high up on a hill in the municipality of Theux is no exception. By visiting this extraordinary site we were taken back to the time when knights roamed our lands and were then able to imagine the grandeur of the principality of Liège at the time.
The ruins of Franchimont Castle - Gaël Bassetto
Withstanding the test of time
Franchimont was at the height of its glory between the 11th and the 16th century. The remains of the castle walls that can be admired today allow you to witness the evolution of military architecture from the Middle Ages to Modern Times. The castle belonged to the Prince-Bishop of Liège, who (according to documents from the period) used to flee to the castle to take refuge when things got sour with his subjects, or to throw lavish parties.
And even though Louis XVI’ s army and the destruction wrought by the French Revolution tried to annihilate the castle, the majestic ruins of Franchimont still stand proudly in the heart of a beautiful verdant and wooded valley. One of highlights of the visit is climbing up to the very top of one of the castle walls to a cute little chapel, and enjoy breathtaking and uninterrupted views on the surrounding hills.
Our guides know how to get the stones to speak, and how to capture children’s attention, resourcefully using spellbinding stories and legends as well as a treasure hunt
A breathtaking view of the castle and the surrounding countryside - Gaël Bassetto
History for children
Adults are fascinated by Franchimont, but children are literally enthralled by the castle.
During our visit, we met Audrey and Peter, both members of the non-profit association “Les Compagnons de Franchimont” (loosely translated: the Friends of Franchimont), that has taken care of the castle for over 50 years.
Dressed in medieval garb, Peter immediately manages to capture the children’s full attention by allowing them to dress up as a knight or a prince, while explaining to them the habits and customs of the time.
We discover that knights never killed other knights. It is not so much a question of honour as of profitability: by keeping the enemy captive they could demand a knight’s ransom!
Then follows a visit to the castle during which Audrey and Peter get the stones to speak and tell us the riveting story of this enchanted place. As the visit continues the children collect several clues for a treasure hunt. The treasure hunt leads us to one of the castle towers, where – not without some excitement – they discover a small chest filled with…sweets!
Goodbye Franchimont
Alas, it’s already time to say goodbye. With our heads filled with memories and fascinating stories we leave, with only one desire…to come back soon!
Enjoy this experience ?
Château de Franchimont (Franchimont Castle)
Allée du Château, 17
4910 THEUX
To check out their opening times (that vary depending on the time of year), please go to https://chateau-franchimont.be/
It is possible to organise birthday parties with entertainment in Franchimont Castle. Perfect if your children are fascinated by knights. You can find more information on the Castle's website.
Sleeping in Theux
There is plenty of family fun to be had in Theux and its surroundings, and we recommend you spend a weekend there. Accommodation that is perfectly suited for a family weekend or a weekend break with friends is the Azymuth Bed & Breakfast and Holiday Cottage. It is set in the countryside, but also quite close to Franchimont and the Forestia Wildlife Park.
For more information, visit http://www.giteazymuth.be/ or
@azymuth_bedandbreakfast_gite on Instagram.
Gaël's top tip for foodies
If you are looking for a friendly place for a family meal where you can sample the tasty local cuisine, then the Forest’Bar is just perfect for you! It’s a spacious restaurant serving reasonably-priced (an utterly delicious!) “brasserie” cuisine. It’s also great for kids as it boasts a children’s play area and huge table football table.
For more information, please visit https://forestia.be/
Spending an afternoon among princes and knights, while discovering a magical piece of Ardennes heritage