Castle of Freÿr, Renaissance castle and gardens in Hastière, Belgium
Castle of Freÿr is a Renaissance estate on the left bank of the Meuse River with grounds maintained over centuries. The buildings display symmetrical facades typical of the period, while the grounds feature formal gardens, water features, and rows of fruit trees.
The original fortress was built in the late 14th century but underwent thorough transformation into a residential manor after the mid-16th century. Over the following two centuries, the structure received additional wings while its gardens developed into their current form.
The name derives from a Latin word for beech trees, reflecting the woodland that once dominated the area. Visitors can sense how the rooms and gardens were designed to showcase Renaissance ideals of harmony and proportion.
The estate is open from March through November and offers guided tours with informative panels located throughout the grounds. Mobile applications provide additional information to help you navigate the different areas and learn about the garden zones.
The grounds contain fruit trees exceeding three centuries old, overwintered in traditional wooden cases stored in specially designed underground galleries. This elaborate preservation method reveals how gardening knowledge has been passed down through generations to maintain these living treasures.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
