In Anhée, Belgium (1h15 drive from Brussels), the splendid Jardins d’Annevoie impress with their charm and beauty. Here, watercourses, varied gardens, statues, castles and shrubs of all kinds coexist. They are the only existing water gardens in Belgium (that’s how precious they are). They are also among the most beautiful in Europe!
French, Italian and English gardens!
When they moved into their château at Annevoie in 1691, Jean de Montpellier, Seigneur d’Yvoir, and his wife Marie de Halloy had not yet built what would become the estate’s most famous feature: the water gardens. Created in 1758 by their son Charles-Alexis de Montpellier, the gardens draw their source from the various streams that feed the forges upstream and the castle below. An entire park was soon laid out around the château. With French, Italian and English gardens (no less!).
Opened to the public for the first time in 1930 (almost 200 years after their completion), the Jardins d’Annevoie feature sumptuous water features, ponds, fountains, waterfalls and a lovely canal.
An exceptional heritage
The site impresses with its beauty. And it’s only 1h15 drive from the capital! What’s more, it has won countless awards over the years: it was designated a historic monument in 1982, an exceptional Walloon heritage site from 1992 to 2009, and has hosted a number of events including “Les Costumés de Venise” (imagined via the real carnival of the same name), sound and light shows, a Christmas market and illuminations…
Visits to the gardens are by prior arrangement (€12 per adult). In high season, they are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (allow 1.5 hours for the visit, last entrance at 4 p.m.).
📍Address: Rue des jardins 37 a, 5537 Anhée.