A 45-metre-high spire and a fortress dating from the early 13th century give Braine-Le-Château two very different historical landmarks. The town’s history also includes the Pilori, the lapidarium of the Église St-Remy and the Moulin Banal, a seigneurial mill. For getting active, there is a walk and a cycling circuit, which differ in both length and character.

Church, Castle and Local History

The present-day Église St-Remy building was constructed between 1860 and 1862; its spire is 45 metres high. The church houses an alabaster tomb of Maximilien de Hornes, attributed to the sculptor Jean Mone. The lapidarium of the Église St-Remy displays 16th-century tombstones. In addition to the lapidarium, the gate and surrounding wall of the former cemetery are protected monuments.

The fortress of the Château des Comtes de Hornes was built at the beginning of the 13th century by the Lords of Trazegnies. During the Renaissance, the Château was converted into a pleasure palace. The six-hectare Parc du château des Comtes de Hornes surrounds a medieval castle. The original fortress, its later transformation and the surrounding park thus represent different aspects of the castle’s history.

The Pilori and the Maison du Bailli also offer insight into local history: the Pilori of Braine-le-Château was built in 1521 by Maximilien de Hornes, while the Maison du Bailli dates from the 16th century. The Rencontres Médiévales was founded in 1982 and takes place every two years. The event features activities and entertainment around the Pilori. The Office du Tourisme regularly organises temporary exhibitions at the Maison du Bailli. This adds a recurring festival and changing exhibitions as two distinct cultural formats.

The Mill and Routes Through the Surroundings

A seigneurial mill (Moulin Banal) has been documented in Braine-Le-Château since 1226. At the Musée de la Meunerie, you can discover the mill’s mechanisms as well as the equipment and tools used by millers. Here, the focus is on how the mill works and the tools used in its operation. Visits to the Moulin Banal require an appointment in advance and are part of the guided Petit Tour de Braine-le-Château; check current availability beforehand.

The Promenade de l'Ermitage is an easy six-kilometre walk through the village of Braine-le-Château and the Ermitage nature reserve. The 15-kilometre Wauthier-Braine-le-Château cycling circuit connects Wauthier-Braine and Braine-le-Château via farm tracks and local secondary roads. The two routes differ in more than just distance: the walk passes through the village and nature reserve, while the cycling circuit connects two towns. When choosing between them, you can take into account both your preferred mode of transport and the character of the route.

Discover more destinations: Heverlee, Tielt-Winge, Tienen, Wemmel, Haasrode, Beersel, Rotselaar, Galmaarden.

Go to the broader travel overview: Brabant.