Since 1830, Belgium is an independent country and during the early years, it was keen to prove its right to exist.
The young nation therefore referred a lot to the late Middle Ages, during which the Southern Netherlands played an important role in the development of Europe.
The early Neo-Gothic renovations of Bouchout Castle performed in 1832 by count Amedeus de Beauffort should be placed in the latter context.
This count of Bouchout was born in Doornik in 1806 and studied law in Paris.
He married Elisabeth Roose de Baisy in 1830 and became director of fine arts in 1835.

Under the supervision of architect Tilman François Suys, Bouchout Castle underwent a medieval metamorphosis.
The Neo-Gothic renovations included, amongst others, demolishing the southern wing thereby rendering an open structure, modifying roof façades with gothic battlements, introducing neo-gothic windows, and adding further neo-gothic details to enhance the medieval charisma of the castle.
Also illustrative for this period, were the curious objects and old paintings the noble families tend to collect.
A fine example is the Armoury gallery (Salle d'armes) which was situated at the first floor of Bouchout Castle.
In later years, the rooms adjacent to this gallery were removed and nowadays it is a conference room of 165 m².
The renovated Bouchout Castle also harboured several Neo-Renaissance elements such as the fireplace at the dining room and the ceilings of the Empress Room and White Room.
After the death of count Amedeus de Beauffort († 1858) and his wife countess Elisabeth Roose-de Baisy († 1873), their son Leopold became owner of Bouchout Castle.
He did not marry and apparently lived in the Donjon tower.
Since 1830, Belgium is an independent country and during the early years, it was keen to prove its right to exist. The young nation therefore referred a lot to the late Middle Ages, during which the Southern Netherlands played an important role in the development of Europe. The early Neo-Gothic renovations of Bouchout Castle performed in 1832 by count Amedeus de Beauffort should be placed in the latter context. This count of Bouchout was born in Doornik in 1806 and studied law in Paris. He married Elisabeth Roose de Baisy in 1830 and became director of fine arts in 1835.
Under the supervision of architect Tilman François Suys, Bouchout Castle underwent a medieval metamorphosis. The Neo-Gothic renovations included, amongst others, demolishing the southern wing thereby rendering an open structure, modifying roof façades with gothic battlements, introducing neo-gothic windows, and adding further neo-gothic details to enhance the medieval charisma of the castle. Also illustrative for this period, were the curious objects and old paintings the noble families tend to collect. A fine example is the Armoury gallery (Salle d'armes) which was situated at the first floor of Bouchout Castle. In later years, the rooms adjacent to this gallery were removed and nowadays it is a conference room of 165 m². The renovated Bouchout Castle also harboured several Neo-Renaissance elements such as the fireplace at the dining room and the ceilings of the Empress Room and White Room. After the death of count Amedeus de Beauffort († 1858) and his wife countess Elisabeth Roose-de Baisy († 1873), their son Leopold became owner of Bouchout Castle. He did not marry and apparently lived in the Donjon tower.
Bouchout Castle