The royal grounds in Ciergnon (Houyet, Namur) were bought by King Leopold I in 1840. He had a hunting lodge built on a hill, overlooking the river Lesse.
Later king Leopold II changed the lodge into a new castle, designed by architect Alphonse Balat.
In 1960 Ciergnon was the setting for the official presentation of King Baudouin's fiancée, doña Fabiola de Mora y Aragón.
In 1993 Emperor Akihito & Empress Michiko of Japan were received at Ciergnon by King Baudouin & Queen Fabiola.
Nowadays the castle is mainly used for private weekends and holidays. It is surrounded by 3600 hectares of private land and is never open for visits.
When Albert II was king, Queen Paola undertook thorough interior renovations and skillfully redecorated the castle. She also redesigned the terrace gardens around the castle.
The castle of Ciergnon is part of the Donation Royale, established by Leopold II in 1900. This means that it can never be sold, it has to maintain its function and look and it has to be available to the sovereign and his heirs.
Between 2001 and 2008, King Philippe & Queen Mathilde had their four children baptized in the private chapel on the castle grounds.
The entrance to the estate.
The castle of Ciergnon is just a few kilometers from another royal residence, the castle of Fenffe.
.jpg)
