Loppem Castle

Loppem Castle, built between 1859 and 1863, is one of the most authentic neo-Gothic castles in Belgium. It was designed by the French architect Viollet-le-Duc and the Belgian church architect Jean-Baptiste Bethune. The castle preserves its original interior with 19th-century furniture, paintings, and sculptures. Historically it is also known because King Albert I formed the government of national unity here in 1918.

Accessibility is partial. The main entrance has several steps; a portable ramp is available via which wheelchair users can enter the ground floor. The representative salons, the dining room, and the chapel are fully viewable on this floor. The upper floors, which house the bedrooms and the historical museum, are inaccessible due to narrow stairs. The castle park has a mix of gravel and grass paths.

An adapted toilet is present in the visitor area. There is a large car park with disabled parking spaces near the entrance. The park also contains a small maze and an ice house. From Loppem, a wheelchair-friendly outing to Bruges is very easy. The castle is furthermore surrounded by wide farmlands and paved country roads that invite quiet cycling discoveries.