Chateau de Modave, or as it is known, The Chateau of the Counts of Marchin, is an elegant 17th century country home located on a steep rocky spur with views over the River Hoyaux, near the village of Modave in the province of Liege, Belgium.
The Chateau was not always the splendid palace you see today. It began life in the 13th century as a medieval castle perfectly situated for fortification on its rocky promontory.
The Modave family, who were a prominent family in the area, owned the castle from the 13th century until the middle of the 16th century. In the 16th century the castle and the estate of Modave became the property of the Haultepenne and de Saint-Fontaine families and by the time the Count Jean de Marchin bought the Castle for his son Jean-Gaspard, much of the original medieval architecture had either been destroyed by war or fallen to ruin.
The Modave family, who were a prominent family in the area, owned the castle from the 13th century until the middle of the 16th century. In the 16th century the castle and the estate of Modave became the property of the Haultepenne and de Saint-Fontaine families and by the time the Count Jean de Marchin bought the Castle for his son Jean-Gaspard, much of the original medieval architecture had either been destroyed by war or fallen to ruin.
photo above courtesy of www.chateauxofbelgium.be
Between 1655 and 1673, Jean-Gaspard Ferdinand de Marchin transformed what had been a medieval fortress, into a grand country residence. The portions of the castle that could be saved were restored, but a new facade was constructed for the exterior and out-buildings like the stable were harmonized to the house facade.
While the restoration was begun during what is considered the Flemish Baroque period it was inspired by the grand French architecture of Louis XIV. 17th-century European art is generally referred to as Baroque, but from the mid to late 17th century, French art shows a classical adherence to certain rules of proportion and moderation. Under Louis XIV, the Baroque as it was practiced in Italy was not in French taste and the Chateau de Modave was to be in the style of a refined French palace.
While the restoration was begun during what is considered the Flemish Baroque period it was inspired by the grand French architecture of Louis XIV. 17th-century European art is generally referred to as Baroque, but from the mid to late 17th century, French art shows a classical adherence to certain rules of proportion and moderation. Under Louis XIV, the Baroque as it was practiced in Italy was not in French taste and the Chateau de Modave was to be in the style of a refined French palace.
above Entrance, Courtyard and Stables
below Stable Interior
below Stable Interior
Expansion and beautification continued to take place even after the chateau changed hands in 1682. Two years later the chateau came into the possession of Guillaume-Egon, the Prince of Furstenberg and the refurbishment was completed under the notable influence of Francoise Mansart, the French architect credited with introducing classicism into the Baroque architecture of France.
The dignified symmetry of the façade with its triangular pediments over the front entrance and windows, the geometrical design of the brick and stone, the mansard roofs, and contrast between the center portion of the mansion in proportion to the side wings is typical of a country house designed by Mansart.
The dignified symmetry of the façade with its triangular pediments over the front entrance and windows, the geometrical design of the brick and stone, the mansard roofs, and contrast between the center portion of the mansion in proportion to the side wings is typical of a country house designed by Mansart.
Inside the house, luxurious rooms were decorated and furnished in the sumptuous, refined French fashion. During the 17th century, the chateau included six large, opulently decorated apartments. Four were private and two apartments were reserved for public rooms and the reception of distinguished guests.
The Guard Room - This is the Grand Hall of the house. It has a ceiling that is unique in Europe. It displays the noble family tree of the count of Marchin. The ceiling was created by stucco worker, Jean-Christian Hansche around 1666-1667.
The Guard Room - This is the Grand Hall of the house. It has a ceiling that is unique in Europe. It displays the noble family tree of the count of Marchin. The ceiling was created by stucco worker, Jean-Christian Hansche around 1666-1667.
The Salon of the Goblins – This was originally a formal stateroom. Stuccos of the exploits of Hercules are on the ceiling and above the doors. They were created by Jean-Cristian Hansche around 1666-1667. The Brussels tapestries are from the 17th century, and illustrate the life of Julius Cesar.
The Salon of Hercules – This was a formal stateroom. As with the salon of the Goblins, this room is decorated with stuccos illustrating the life of Hercules. Medallions portraying the profiles of Roman Emperors were added to the walls in the 18th century. The room is now furnished as a dining room and the table is set with the Modave service and Val-Saint-Lambert crystal glasses.
The Small Hall – This hall was also decorated in stucco by Jean-Christian Hansche in the 17th century. This ceiling illustrates the lineage of Count Marchin’s wife, Marie de Balzac d’Entragues daughter of an advisor of the King of France. The niche houses a fountain made of red marble with a stucco Triton above it.
The Family Salon – This room was originally an antechamber to the private apartments of the Countess of Marchin. In the 18th and 19th century, during the time the Duke and Duchess of Montmorency and their heirs owned the chateau (1772 – 1817), the salon was used as a dining room and tapestries that originally hung on the wall were replaced with painted canvases representing ancient landscapes.
The Duke’s Room – Originally part of the apartments of the Countess of Marchin, this room is named "The Dukes Room" because the current decor dates to the 18th century; during a time when the chateau was owned by the Dukes of Montmorency. The alcove is separated by a low decorative railing according to court etiquette in that time. The furniture are rare pieces by the renowned Parisian cabinet maker Chevigny. The bronze and Baccarat crystal chandelier is from the end of the 19th century.
The Salon of the Paintings – This room has retained its original 17th century paneling decorated with foliage and figures. The landscape and flower bouquet paintings were installed in the 18th century, replacing the original paintings.
The Bathroom – This room is paneled in the Liege Regency style and has an unusual bathtub. The bathtub and its stairs were carved into the floor out of solid rock and lined with zinc. A water tank was hidden under the beautiful parquet floor. The toilet was installed behind a discreet door matching the paneling.
The Mistress’s Room – This room was originally a cloak room which was changed to a bedroom in the 19th century. It is delicately decorated, painted all white with golden stucco scrolls on the ceiling and gold-leaf highlighting the panels on the wall. These panels hide large cupboards and define the bed alcove.
The second private apartment on the ground floor was that of the son of the Jean-Gaspard-Ferdinand de Marchin who gave his son the title of Count of Graville. It originally consisted of an antechamber, bedroom and cloak-room, but the rooms have been greatly reconfigured over time.
The Louis XV Salon (also called the Smoking Salon) – The wood paneling in this room is from the 18th century while the gilded stucco baskets adorning the panels were added in the 19th century, but the highlight of the room is the 17th century ceiling which is painted in faux burled walnut and covered with curving stucco vines and coats of arms.
The Donjon Room - The bedroom occupied the ground floor of the tower (the donjon) located on the valley-side of the chateau. The black marable fireplace and stucco ceiling are original, while the rest of the room has been restored in the 17th and 18th century style.
The Stairway of Honor – These ceremonial stairs built at the end of the 17th century, lead only to the first floor and are not in the center of the house. They are located in one of the pavilions off the grand entrance room. The handrail is one of the first of its kind in the province of Liege. The steps are shallow and wide to allow an elegant procession up or down the stairs. The gilded bronze and Baccarat crystal chandelier is from the end of the 19th century.
The Grand Salon Louis XIV – This room originally served as a gallery and led to the apartments on the first floor. In the 19th century, it was downsized and turned into a salon. The Herz rosewood piano is from the 1870’s and 16th century, Audenaerde tapestries, decorate the walls.
The Duchess’s Room – This elegant room is named for the portrait of the Duchess of Montmorency located to the left of the fireplace, the walls are covered in floral printed cloth and decorated in the Louis XVI style with an neo-classical bed, painted and gilded wood and cheval glass mirror.
The Library – Used as a connecting room, the library houses a large Armoire with four marquetry doors made from sycamore, ebony, burr walnut and thuya root and is designed in the Liege and Louis XIV style. This Armoire served to preserve precious books.
The Chapel – The original chapel was destroyed during the French Revolution. In the 19th century, one of the later owners of the chateau, Gilles-Antoine Lamarche, restored the private chapel in the neo-classical style.
This spiraling oak staircase located in The Round Tower, leads to the four levels of the chateau. The base of the tower dates back to the medieval period and was updated in the 17th century.
For the next 240 years, the chateau was passed through several influential families who made additional modernizing changes over time. Later owners were successively:
- Maximilian Henry of Bavaria, Elector of Cologne and Prince-Bishop of Liège (1682–1684);
- Cardinal William Egon of Furstenberg, and his heirs (1684–1706);
- Baron Arnold de Ville (1706–1772); and
- Anne-Léon, Duke of Montmorency, and his heirs (1772–1817).
The Basement – A number of the ancient castle spaces were restored in the basement of the chateau. Some rooms were literally rock caves and were used for storage and other purposes.
The Kitchens - The large 17th century basement kitchen was abandoned after 200 years for a more modern functional space. The old kitchen is now an interactive area for school-visits.
When the new kitchen was built in the 1900's, a large stove-top and oven was installed. This oven is still in place in the kitchen.
When the new kitchen was built in the 1900's, a large stove-top and oven was installed. This oven is still in place in the kitchen.
In 1944, the chateau was taken over by Vivaqua, the Brussels intermunicipal water company. They have pledged to preserve and maintain the historic property for the heritage of Wallonia and opened it to the public.
The Chateau de Modave is a fabulously beautiful and well worth a visit!
There is also a Hotel and Restaurant on the property!
Be sure to check them out HERE!
There is also a Hotel and Restaurant on the property!
Be sure to check them out HERE!
Information for this post was provided by Chateau de Modave ASBL publication and Wikipedia
RSS Feed