Écaussinnes-Lalaing Castle, Medieval fortress in Écaussinnes-Lalaing, Belgium

Écaussinnes-Lalaing Castle is a stone fortress on a rocky outcrop above the Sennette, in the village of Écaussinnes-Lalaing. Its stepped grey masonry combines a round tower with a conical roof, a massive corner tower with a slate spire, and small red-shuttered windows. A rectangular stone plaque is fixed near the base of the corner tower.

Baldwin V, Count of Hainaut, established the initial fortress in 1184, which was later expanded significantly by the Lalaing and Croÿ families. These modifications shaped the castle's appearance over several centuries.

The ground floor museum shows collections from the van der Burch family, displaying porcelain and furniture from the 17th and 18th centuries. These objects tell the story of how wealthy families lived and what they valued in their homes.

The castle is open from April to October on Sundays, with guided tours available for groups. It is wise to prepare in advance since visiting hours are limited and parts of the grounds involve steep slopes.

The garden was laid out in 1720, and in 1983 it was protected together with the fortified farm and the rest of the site. The castle itself had been bought in 1922 by Canon Edmond Puissant of Mons, who restored it and opened it to the public in 1926.