Beauvoorde Castle

In an atmospheric and poetic part of Veurne, hidden in the vast polder plain, you will find the Beauvoorde Castle. The castle probably originated in the 12th century and was thoroughly renovated around 1600 by high bailiff Jacob de Bryarde. In 1573 the name Beauvoorde was introduced, by analogy with an estate in the border area with northern France of the owners. The castle remained the property of the de Bryarde family until 1838. After a period of decline, the castle came into the possession of Arthur Merghelynck (1853-1908) in 1875. He restored the building and had a beautiful French-English castle park built. His unique collection of furniture and artefacts in the castle evoke the 17th-century atmosphere. It is as if time has stood still. Merghelynck remained childless and donated the castle to the Royal Academy of Dutch Language and Literature in 1902. Since 1998, Erfgoed Vlaanderen has been managing the domain that has been opened to the general public.

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