Abbey of Beaulieu

The entire site consists of private homes that are not accessible, and the path from the gatehouse is also private and not accessible.

Abdij van Beaulieu is a former abbey located in the Belgian province of East Flanders and the municipality of Petegem of Wortegem-Petegem. The abbey and the village are situated near the Scheldt.

Gwijde van Dampierre purchased the barony or lordship of Petegem in 1286 and restored the old castle present there. A diploma granted by Charles the Bald in 864 indicates that this castle was already inhabited by the Frankish kings of the second royal house. By 1300, it was the country residence of Gwijde van Dampierre, the Count of Flanders. It served as the residence of Philip IV of France the Fair (1285–1314), king of France when he began to perform 'Joyful Entries' throughout Flanders in May 1301 in Bruges, Ghent, Douai, Lille, Tournai, Aardenburg, Kortrijk, and Ypres.

After the death of his first wife, Mathilda of Béthune (1263), Gwijde van Dampierre remarried in 1265 to Isabella of Luxembourg, thereby acquiring the County of Namur. His wife, Isabella of Luxembourg, founded a women's monastery or abbey of the Poor Clares within walking distance of this old castle on the Scheldt. Construction began in 1290. The abbey was occupied on December 26, 1293. The Order of the Poor Clares was a contemplative monastic order. It was and still is a female branch of the early Franciscan movement, founded around 1212 by Clare of Assisi (Clara Sciffi) (1194-1253).

It was at that time that the castle and surroundings received their name: the site was so beautiful that only “Bello loco” or “Beaulieu” sounded rich enough.

For five centuries, the monastery of Beaulieu remained in existence until the decree of 1783 when the Austrian Emperor Joseph II (his nickname was the 'Monk Emperor') abolished the monastery and many other monastic orders and expelled the nuns. In 1786, all the buildings were sold and partially demolished.

Only the entrance gate, guest quarters, chaplain's house, and a few outbuildings escaped demolition. Despite the turbulent past, these buildings still testify to a rich history. The abbey consists of several plots of property. The guest quarters and entrance gate are owned by the Faveere family. The chaplain's house is owned by the Libert family. Above the entrance gate is the coat of arms of Gwijde van Dampierre (Guy de Dampierre, Count of Flanders).

On the abbey grounds lies the brother of Isabella of Luxembourg, buried as a (Templar) knight. He died of the plague during the crusade in Jerusalem. All his possessions were buried with him in a lead casket. According to ancient writings, he is buried in the abbey.

Wim