Château de Modave, castle in Wallonia

The Château de Modave, also called the Château des Comtes de Marchin, stands on a rock spur 60 metres above the Hoyoux valley within a 450-hectare nature reserve. Its symmetrical stone and brick ranges have grey slate roofs, two end towers with dark multi-tiered cupolas and weathervanes, and a central block with dormer windows and a door reached by a short stair. A low stone balustrade runs across the foreground.

The castle's origins trace back to the Middle Ages, but it was substantially rebuilt in the 17th century by the Marchin family, acquiring a classical facade in the process. The Count of Marchin spent his entire fortune on this restoration, making the castle an important symbol of French classical architecture that was even compared to Versailles.

The castle is also called Château des Comtes de Marchin, after the family that rebuilt it in the 17th century. Its decoration centres on stucco work by Jan Hansche, and a model of the Marly machine built by Rennequin Sualem is displayed inside. Since 1941 the estate has belonged to the Brussels water company, now Vivaqua, which uses the grounds to supply drinking water.

The castle opens daily from April through mid-November, from morning until late afternoon with last entry around 4:45 p.m., and closes Mondays except during July, August, or public holidays. Visitors can purchase tickets on-site or online at affordable prices with discounts available for seniors, students, children, and groups, while the ground floor is wheelchair accessible, assistance dogs are permitted, and nearby parking and bus stops serve the location.

Inside the castle, visitors can see a scale model of the Marly machine, the water-lifting system designed by Rennequin Sualem for the gardens of Versailles. The model is displayed alongside the castle's stucco work by Jan Hansche. The château itself stands on a rocky spur 60 metres above the Hoyoux valley, within a 450-hectare nature reserve.