Château de la Cense au Bois
THE ABANDONED CASTLE IN BELGIUM
‘Château de la Cense au Bois’ also named ‘Château de la Bruyère’ was built in 1860 by baron Louis Siraut. The neoclassical building is located in the heart of fifteen hectares of woods.
The Siraut family, who were quite affluent, purchased the estate from the Abbey of Hannon. Construction of the castle took place following the French Revolution. The family called this place home until 1984, after which it fell into disrepair and was left abandoned, turning into a dilapidated structure due to neglect. In the late ’80s, it even attracted some squatters. However, in 1999, hotelier Raymond Beck came along and bought the castle, transforming it into a luxurious hotel featuring ten rooms and 20 beds. Each room boasted its own cozy fireplace and stunning views.
Exclusive restaurant
The hotel also included a restaurant where you could get luxury meals and wine from an extensive wine list. The chef was Pierre-Yves Gosse, he was recognized by his peers as one of the most talented cooks of his generation. The ‘Restaurant l’Osciètre Gris’ quickly became one of the best restaurants in Hainaut. The hotel went bankrupt in 2005. Both Beck and Gosse started new businesses elsewhere.
Sold
The castle changed hands in 2024, and the new owner has plans to transform the place. Nowadays, it’s private property, so you can’t get in anymore. I visited the ‘Château de la Cense au Bois’ in 2017.
