We'll leave from Mons in a coach for the Château de Beloeil, also known as the Belgian Versailles. The castle has stood in the middle of its moat for eight centuries. Once a medieval fortress, it became an immense, stately home over the course of several centuries. Today, it has opened its doors to visitors. This castle is not an anonymous, static museum. The objects within reflect the evolution of art. The vast library contains 20,000 works from the eras when printing was invented up to modern times. The furniture is a sampling of some of the top work of French cabinet makers in the 17th and 18th centuries. The paintings depict the grand achievements of most of the castle's family members. While some of the most beautiful French Gardens were created in the 17th century, the one surrounding Beloeil was designed and developed by 10 successive generations between 1515 and 1780.
We'll continue on to the Chant d’Éole estate. The vineyard came to be when a family of Belgian farmers joined forces with a family of eminent sparkling-wine makers. They use the best modern techniques to guarantee a sparkling wine that adheres to Belgian tradition. We'll take a guided tour recounting the vineyard's history. Our enthusiastic guides will explain the different stages of production—from planting to bottling, and everything in between. We'll finish up the tour with a tasting of three signature spirits—the Brut Blanc de Blancs, the Rosé Brut, and the Elixir Saint-Georges. We'll return to Mons.
PLEASE NOTE
OCTOBER : Visit to the Castle of Seneffe and the Chant d’Éole Estate.
Departure by coach from Mons to the Castle of Seneffe.
Built between 1763 and 1768 by the architect Laurent-Benoît Dewez for the businessman Julien Depestre, who became Count of Seneffe and Turnhout in 1767, this building is a jewel of exceptional 18th-century neoclassical architecture.
Its façade was constructed in blue stone from Feluy and Ecaussinnes. Two long Palladian galleries with Ionic columns, containing statues and antique-style vases sculpted by Laurent Tamine, flank the castle on both sides. You will admire the magnificent parquet floors and sumptuous interior decorations. Today, the castle houses the Museum of Silversmithing of the French Community of Belgium. You will discover collections of silverware and decorative arts, displayed in context and reflecting the art of living and cultural codes of the time. You will dive into the daily life, even the intimacy, of the castle’s former residents.
The journey continues to the Chant d’Éole Estate.
Born from the meeting between a Champagne winemaker and a Belgian farming family, this wine estate draws inspiration from the best techniques developed to date to ensure the production of sparkling wines that truly reflect the Belgian terroir. A guided tour will take you to the heart of the vineyard’s history. Passionate guides will explain the various stages of creating these nectars — from planting to bottling — including the choice of grape varieties, vine maintenance, and vinification.
The visit will end with a tasting of Brut Blanc de Blancs, Brut Rosé, and Élixir Saint Georges.
Return to Mons.
We'll leave from Mons in a coach for the Château de Beloeil, also known as the Belgian Versailles. The castle has stood in the middle of its moat for eight centuries. Once a medieval fortress, it became an immense, stately home over the course of several centuries. Today, it has opened its doors to visitors. This castle is not an anonymous, static museum. The objects within reflect the evolution of art. The vast library contains 20,000 works from the eras when printing was invented up to modern times. The furniture is a sampling of some of the top work of French cabinet makers in the 17th and 18th centuries. The paintings depict the grand achievements of most of the castle's family members. While some of the most beautiful French Gardens were created in the 17th century, the one surrounding Beloeil was designed and developed by 10 successive generations between 1515 and 1780.
We'll continue on to the Chant d’Éole estate. The vineyard came to be when a family of Belgian farmers joined forces with a family of eminent sparkling-wine makers. They use the best modern techniques to guarantee a sparkling wine that adheres to Belgian tradition. We'll take a guided tour recounting the vineyard's history. Our enthusiastic guides will explain the different stages of production—from planting to bottling, and everything in between. We'll finish up the tour with a tasting of three signature spirits—the Brut Blanc de Blancs, the Rosé Brut, and the Elixir Saint-Georges. We'll return to Mons.
PLEASE NOTE
OCTOBER : Visit to the Castle of Seneffe and the Chant d’Éole Estate.
Departure by coach from Mons to the Castle of Seneffe.
Built between 1763 and 1768 by the architect Laurent-Benoît Dewez for the businessman Julien Depestre, who became Count of Seneffe and Turnhout in 1767, this building is a jewel of exceptional 18th-century neoclassical architecture.
Its façade was constructed in blue stone from Feluy and Ecaussinnes. Two long Palladian galleries with Ionic columns, containing statues and antique-style vases sculpted by Laurent Tamine, flank the castle on both sides. You will admire the magnificent parquet floors and sumptuous interior decorations. Today, the castle houses the Museum of Silversmithing of the French Community of Belgium. You will discover collections of silverware and decorative arts, displayed in context and reflecting the art of living and cultural codes of the time. You will dive into the daily life, even the intimacy, of the castle’s former residents.
The journey continues to the Chant d’Éole Estate.
Born from the meeting between a Champagne winemaker and a Belgian farming family, this wine estate draws inspiration from the best techniques developed to date to ensure the production of sparkling wines that truly reflect the Belgian terroir. A guided tour will take you to the heart of the vineyard’s history. Passionate guides will explain the various stages of creating these nectars — from planting to bottling — including the choice of grape varieties, vine maintenance, and vinification.
The visit will end with a tasting of Brut Blanc de Blancs, Brut Rosé, and Élixir Saint Georges.
Return to Mons.