Franchimont Castle

Franchimont Castle, locally known as Château de Franchimont, lies south of the village of Theux, in the province of Liège in the Wallonia region in Belgium.

The castle is an old fortress of the diocese of Liège. It was built on the earlier Carolingian estate of Theux, which was handed over to the church of Liège in 898. The original castle was modified multiple times during the Middle Ages, likely in the 13th century and definitely in the 14th century, after a destructive fire in 1387.

From 1477 to 1505, the jurisdiction of the lords of Franchimont Castle was transferred to the De La Marck family. During this turbulent period in the history of the diocese of Liège, the castle was heavily besieged in 1487.

Under Bishop Erard de la Marck (1506-1538), the castle’s appearance changed significantly; the medieval castle was renovated to make it more comfortable, with larger windows, a new chapel, and a larger kitchen. Additionally, new ramparts with a tower and casemates were constructed.

After the 16th century, the military and strategic importance of Franchimont Castle declined due to the advancement of more modern artillery, unlike fortified cities in the region such as Dinant, Huy, and Liège.

Following the Liège Revolution in 1795, the castle fell into decay and became a ruin. During the early 19th century, locals used it as a quarry.

Today, Franchimont Castle is owned by the village of Theux, and the 'Compagnons de Franchimont' foundation conducts excavations and renovations. It can be visited for a fee.

This is a very cool castle to explore; I especially found the casemates very interesting. The stairways leading to them, carved out of solid rock, are small, very steep, and long. They are freely accessible and well-lit.

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