Château de la Solitude

Hidden within the embrace of the Sonian Forest, Château de la Solitude whispers tales of a princess, a duchess seeking solace. Château de la Solitude, built between 1910 and 1912, became the sanctuary of Princess Marie Ludmille d’Arenberg, Duchess de Croÿ. A widow in 1906, she sought refuge in this neoclassical haven. Designed by architect François Malfait, Château de la Solitude became her personal retreat. She found companionship not in bustling crowds, but in the quiet presence of animals. The duchess lived a secluded life at Château de la Solitude until her death in 1953. After her passing, the Belgian state acquired the vast 11-hectare estate. It was transformed into a school for children of traveling showmen, a far cry from its aristocratic beginnings. Later, Château de la Solitude housed the Infosida Center until 1995. Then, a group of homeless individuals, known as the “Companions du Partage,” occupied the building. They advocated for a minimum insertion income from public social welfare centers. Finally, Château de la Solitude was sold to a company that developed it into an office complex. The original grandeur of the princess’s retreat now serves a different purpose. Yet, the echoes of her solitary life, her love for animals, linger within the walls of Château de la Solitude.