Modave Castle

The oldest part of the building, the donjon, was built on a strategic rock high above the valley of the river Hoyoux. The oldest parts still visible today date probably from the 13th century and were erected by the lords of Modave. In the 16th century the castle and the estate of Modave became the property of the Haultepenne and de Saint-Fontaine families. In the next century Jean-Gaspard-Ferdinand de Marchin (1601–1673), a great military commander, acquired the castle and turned it from a medieval fortress into a luxury Baroque residence.

Maximilian Henry of Bavaria, Elector of Cologne and Prince-Bishop of Liège (1682–1684); Cardinal Wilhelm Egon von Fürstenberg, and his heirs (1684–1706); Baron Arnold de Ville (1706–1772); and Anne-Léon, Duke of Montmorency, and his heirs (1772–1817). In the 19th century it was owned by the non-noble families of Lamarche, Braconier and Van Hoegaerden. Finally, the Compagnie Intercommunale Bruxelloise des Eaux ("Brussels Intercommunal Water Company") bought the property in March 1941, in order to protect the important water catchments in the park.