Château de Chimay

The Château de Chimay has been the residence of the princes of Chimay for more than a thousand years and thrones impressively above the valley of the Eau Blanche. The castle combines medieval, Renaissance, and 19th-century elements after a major reconstruction following the fire of 1935. The showpiece is undoubtedly the Théâtre Royal, a miniature theatre in Versailles style from 1863 where Cherubini himself once conducted.

Accessibility is partial. The main entrance has several steps, but there is an alternative side entrance with a portable ramp where wheelchair users can reach the visitor circuit on the ground floor. The beautiful salons, the dining room, and the theatre are largely accessible on one level. The upper floors and the medieval dungeons remain inaccessible due to stairs. The inner courtyard is paved with cobblestones that are here and there uneven.

An adapted toilet is available in the visitor area. Disabled parking spaces are provided on the castle grounds, near the entrance. Around the castle lies a rustic garden and park with some paved paths. The village of Chimay itself is small and easy to survey; a visit can be perfectly combined with the Espace Chimay, the visitor centre of the Chimay Trappist brewery, a few kilometres away.