Top 4 Castles around Bousbecque

The Castle of the Counts is the only example of monumental civil architecture from before the 19th century in Mouscron. Four great families of Seigneurs succeeded one another here over six centuries. Today, on this vast estate, you can still admire the Tournai-style castle, as well as a farmyard surrounded by the remains of outbuildings from the 16th and 17th centuries, and a site surrounded by moats. A self-guided walk around the moats offers you the opportunity to explore the entire estate. Two major historical events have left a lasting mark on local tradition and folklore: the visit of Charles V, who spent the night in the castle, and the atrocities of the famous Hurlus, followers of Luther (during the Wars of Religion) who pillaged the region, occupied the castle for three months, and stole its furnishings. Source: visitwapi.be

For centuries, Mariënstede Castle was the residence of the noble de Croix family. However, it is not certain whether Knight Jan van Dadizele lived here. In June 1699, Ignace Ferdinand de Croix (1660-1745) had the castle of the Bleutour estate (Berquin, northern France) demolished stone by stone and transported here by workers from Dadizele to build a new castle. Due to a lack of stone, he established two brickworks in Dadizele to ensure sufficient material. The building was completed in the early 18th century. During World War I, it was captured by the Germans and severely damaged by Allied bombardments in the summer and autumn of 1917. After the war, the right wing was demolished. The castle became much smaller in size. In 1953, the de Bouillé family sold the entire estate to the Diocese of Bruges. Maria Assumpta became a retreat house for priests. The arches on the facade, the chapel on the right, and the outbuilding on the left date from that period. In 1985, Mariënstede became a residential and work environment for adults with disabilities. Château Superette, a shop selling fair-trade products and products made by the residents, serves as the ideal link between the local population and the castle's residents. In January 2015, the canopy was demolished, and the facade regained its former charm. Source: toerismedadizele.be

Marcel Marlier Centre "Draw Me, Mart" https://www.mouscron.be/fr/centre-marcel-marlier/accueil

If you are patient, you might see the Countess...

The Polderhoek is currently a forgotten piece of land near the A19 motorway, next to the Witches Monument. It is almost unthinkable, but during the war there was a beautiful park in the Polderhoek valley. The southern Polderhoek Castle stood in the middle of the park. The Polderhoek Castle, popularly known as the “Flower Castle”, was one of the most beautiful castles in the region. The castle was built around 1850, was over 30 hectares in size and had Italian architectural influences. From the beginning of the First World War, the beautiful park was occupied by the Germans. In 1914, the front ran right through it and the park was then on German territory. On 4 October 1917, British troops succeeded in taking the northeastern part of the park. However, they did not get any further and the offensive was stopped on the ridge. The entire area was shot to pieces and the Reutelbeek, which flowed through the park, formed a wide swamp. Triggered? Want to know more about the war past? Click through to https://www.toerismezonnebeke.be/nl/zien-en-doen/polderhoek-chateau-verdwenen-kasteel/

In the park behind the Vanackere castle (the current town hall) there are two gloriettes. These gazebos, probably built before the construction of the castle in 1896, initially bordered the park. A wall ran between the two, which was demolished when the park was expanded. The pavilion to the east of the town hall has a double landing staircase and a built-in ice cellar. No original interior elements were preserved in the pavilions. Source: Inventory of Immovable Heritage

Between 1894 and 1896, Jules Aimée Constant Van Ackere had his mansion replaced by a castle in an eclectic architectural style. The Kortrijk architect Cyriel Vanhoutte was inspired by various neo-styles for this building. The castle and park were closed off from the public road by a cast-iron fence with two gates. With the reconstruction of the Kortrijk-Menen road in 1960, the fence in front of the castle disappeared. During the First and Second World Wars, the house was requisitioned by the German occupiers to function as an "Ortskommandantur". Purchased in its entirety by the municipality in 1953. To this day, it serves as a town hall. Source: Inventory of Immovable Heritage

view from behind in front of its pond