The Château de Jehay, a Mosan Renaissance gem in Amay

Located in the province of Liège, the Château de Jehay offers a remarkable architecture, unique in Europe. This impressive historical building, surrounded by moats, seems to appear as if by magic as you walk past the forest.

Distinguished by its famous checkerboard patterns on its walls, the castle is a stunning, rare example of Mosane Renaissance style from the mid-16th century. It is listed as part of Wallonia's exceptional cultural heritage.

The castle

This is a fine example of a 16th century Meuse Renaissance-style building, with vaulted basements of the former keep going back to the late 13th century. In the 19th century the castle was extensively renovated and extended in a sober Gothic Revival style but after World War 2, when it was used as a hostel for displaced children of the Belgian Railway Workers, the building fell into disrepair. The chateau then passed into the ownership of Comte van de Steen who restored the interior using as far as possible original furniture and paintings.

The gardens

The Italian gardens and parks are little Edens with remarkable trees planted along lines of lime trees. Visitors can also admire copper sculptures and water features.

The former vegetable patch, first planted in the 19th century at the edge of the forest, was brought back to life. Now protected by a lovely brick wall, it stretches along a hectare and offers a delightful stroll along forgotten vegetables, edible flowers, fruit trees and delicate roses.

The garden also hides a former icehouse, built in the 19th century to collect ice during winter.

Visiting the estate

Today the chateau is closed for renovation. Two large converted former barns on the estate are today used to house exhibitions of the rich furnishings and paintings from the chateau.

Count Guy van den Steenformer's former home still offers a wonderful journey through time and art: a 15 mn movie invites you to a virtual visit of the furnished ground floor.