Fontaine-l'Évêque Castle

Fontaine-l'Évêque Castle, locally known as Château Bivort or as Château de Fontaine-l'Évêque, lies in the town of the same name, in the province of Hainaut in the Wallonia region in Belgium.

Fontaine-l'Évêque Castle was built in the 13th century by Nicolas de Fontaine, who was also 'Évêque' (Bishop) of Cambrai, which is why it is named as such. In 1408, this first castle was destroyed by fire during a war against the Prince-Bishop of Liège, but was later rebuilt.

During the Italian War of 1551-1559, the castle was damaged in 1552 by an army of Henry II of France, but was again rebuilt, this time in the Renaissance style.

During the War of the First Coalition, the first phase of the French Revolutionary Wars, in the last decade of the 18th century, Fontaine-l'Évêque Castle was destroyed by the French. Until that century, the castle consisted of two large main buildings, ramparts with 7 towers, and a dry moat.

In the 1860s, Fontaine-l'Évêque Castle was purchased by Clément Bivort de la Saudée, a colliery director. He restored the castle to its current appearance with help from architect Auguste Cador.

Today, the castle is used by the local authorities for cultural and administrative purposes, so its interior is not open to the public. However, the grounds of the castle are freely accessible. It is a beautiful castle.

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