You thought you'd have to wait for the French Heritage Days to indulge your curiosity ? Our Belgian neighbors are one step ahead. A week before Lille, Wallonia is hosting its own heritage weekend, on Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th, 2026. And this 38th edition has decided to focus on exceptional places and those that rarely open to the public. For two days, access to activities on the program is free, even though some visits require advance reservation. For Lille residents, we've combed through the program with one simple mission: find the most beautiful châteaux accessible in less than about 1.5 hours. Time to dust off the carriage.
Bois-Seigneur-Isaac Castle, normally reserved for groups
This one is probably one of the best reasons to cross the border. In Ophain-Bois-Seigneur-Isaac, near Braine-l'Alleud, sits a château whose origins date back to the Middle Ages. The former fortress was transform
transformed in the 18th century into a pleasure residence, complete with an elegant classical façade. However, a tower pierced with loopholes still recalls its far more turbulent past. Since 1810, the estate has belonged to the Snoy family and houses family portraits and mementos connected to Belgian and European history. And most importantly: the château is normally only open to the general public on very rare occasions. For the rest of the year, visits are organized by appointment for groups. On September 12 and 13, several guided tours will exceptionally allow you to discover the interior, as well as the gardens and park with its remarkable trees. Online booking is mandatory and groups are limited to 25 people.Voir cette publication sur Instagram
In Waterloo, a private castle opens its doors for an exceptional occasion
Another gem: the Château d'Argenteuil, in Waterloo. And here, the opening is truly something exceptional since the estate is normally closed to the public. Built in 1856 for Ferdinand de Meeus by architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaar, the castle impresses as much with its size as with its grounds. The latter was designed by Édouard Keilig, also landscape designer of the Bois de la Cambre in Brussels. Today occupied by the European School of Brussels-Argenteuil, the building has retained the layout of its rooms. During Heritage Days, teachers and students will unveil the castle, its gallery, its grounds and even its grotto. A true glimpse into a property that you normally have no reason to be able to visit. Guided tours are free but by reservation only.
In Tournai, the grounds of an 18th and 19th century castle reveal themselves
No need to go far to treat yourself to a little break
aristocratic charm. About thirty minutes from Lille, heading towards Froyennes, at the gates of Tournai, discover the grounds of Beauregard castle. Remodeled over generations, the castle blends elements from the 18th and 19th centuries and hides within expansive landscaped parkland dotted with remarkable trees and historic outbuildings. Fair warning though: here, it's the park that will be open for exploration, not the castle's interiors. On Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a self-guided route will let you explore the estate with the help of a brochure retracing its history, former layouts, and planned restorations. A game brochure will also be available for children. And since you're heading to Tournai anyway, the weekend offers a few other pretty amazing openings, including the Henry VIII tower, a remnant from when Tournai was English and usually off-limits to the public.Voir cette publication sur Instagram
In Néchin, the remains of a medieval castle emerge from the shadows
Even closer to Lille, the Royère castle, in Néchin, offers a much more medieval escape experience. Only part of it remains today, but the ruins still allow us to read the organization of this former castle complex composed of a lower and upper courtyard, once protected by moats. Its current polygonal walls date back to the early 14th century, shortly after the Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302. Listed as a heritage site, the location now constitutes a rare example of this type of medieval fortification in Wallonia and is among the places open during the weekend. We're less in Downton Abbey territory, more in knights, ramparts, and a sudden urge to speak in Middle French. That works for us too.
An entire weekend to explore Walloon heritage
And castles are only a small part of the program. Tournai, Ath, and the wider Hainaut region also open medieval towers, religious buildings, former residences, and muchlines and buildings that are generally off-limits. In Tournai, for example, you'll be able to exceptionally enter Henry VIII Tower, discover the Red Fort's underground levels during visits that are already fully booked, or take advantage of the brand-new Carré Janson opening and its rooftop with views of the cathedral. The principle behind Walloon Heritage Days has actually been around for decades: making monuments, architectural ensembles, and heritage sites freely accessible, including places that are normally closed. And clearly, people love the idea: the event has existed since 1989 and attracts hundreds of proposals across the region each year. So here's the thing: the weekend of September 12, we're leaving Lille behind for a few hours and heading somewhere we're usually not allowed to go.
European Heritage Days in Wallonia
Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026
Official Programme for Heritage Days 2026