En un regard
Le château en bref
Beaulieu Castle, at 100 Woluwelaan in Machelen, north of Brussels, is a Baroque château built around 1650 for Lamoral II Claudius Franz of Thurn und Taxis, hereditary Grand Master of the Imperial Posts. In the literature since 1932, the plans have been attributed to the sculptor and architect Lucas Fayd'herbe of Mechelen. Some authors, and a recent study of the building, suppose that it rests on the foundations of an earlier fortress. Its large windows, which admit as much light as possible, evoke an urban palace more than a rural residence. The reception room retains stucco ceilings by Jan Christiaan Hansche devoted to the Labours of Hercules, including a panel dated 1659. Four of the nine panels are well preserved, two damaged ones are kept in the attic, and three are lost. In the 19th century, under the d'Alcantara family (from 1841) and then the Rittweger family (from 1875), the château underwent profound alterations (windows, terrace). Its decline began around 1920, when industry spread to its surroundings and the estate was reduced to about one hectare. After decades of neglect, it was restored and today serves as a private workspace, viewable only by appointment.
