When we scrutinize the real estate market for castles on the net, we realize the narrowness of this very particular trade. This type of building, coming out of the depths of time, symbol of power, power, wealth and domination, conveys impressions of another time. Even when upgraded, their appearance gives them a special status. We saw it again last week with the success of the public sales of the antique dealer Paul De Grande in his castle of Snelleghem, near Bruges. This house gave him a much better potential for success than if he had done the vacation in an innocuous room.
At least sixty goods
As for the vitality of the market, it seems to us to be intact after spending several hours combing through various sites where prestigious homes are up for grabs. In addition to the real estate sites where you can find all-comers and sometimes quality things, there are specialized agencies. But there is also a platform that brings together many agencies, especially in Flanders, it’s Luxevastgoed. They sell a large number of castles and huge and recent “barracks” which are incredible in size and luxury. But these houses have little land. This is not the case for castles with some exceptions, such as the one located in the heart of the village in Sivry, very close to the French border. It has only 13 ares of land and is for sale for 950,000 euros.
In the end, there are more than sixty castles visible on the various sites, with sometimes a multiplicity of agencies for a single property, like the one recently put on the market and which was a small princely residence at the exit of La Hulpe to Malaise; it can be found at Found&Baker and at ERA. Sometimes, there is absolute discretion, like at Lionel le Hardÿ, and an advertisement page that only opens after direct contact with the agency, like at Derco. You have to click on “discreet sales”. It still appears that the vast majority of castles for sale are in Flanders and Antwerp; almost none in Limburg except Ommertsein in Dilsen which has been waiting for years and that of Nieuwenhoven near Saint-Trond. With its 2.4 ha, this last castle is advertised at 1,695,000 euros.
Regional diversity
There are novelties such as in Mourcourt, Grimbergen (Lint), the Hof ter Zitter in Bekkerzeel and Orp-Jauche, Kortenaken and the charming small castle of Kasterlee, typically Flemish from the 17th century. And there are castles lying around like that of Rameyen, that of Ostemmerée, that of Dworp or that of Tavigny, very close to the Grand Duchy. There are more rarely available areas such as Charleroi with the impressive Château de Lodelinsart exhibited at 3.5 million by Archybald.
“Personally, I don’t find that this niche of castles has changed so much since the Covid. There aren’t more castles available, nor fewer, and the prices haven’t changed. On the other hand, for the residential sector, there we are still on a famous period. I would say that for large residences, people are probably more demanding. On the other hand, the war in Ukraine has caused a sharp increase in materials and budgets are no longer the same“, explains Yves Lange, who directs the Comptoir foncier in Huy. He offers the castles of Lens-Saint-Servais, Longchamps near Eghezée with 20 ha, which justifies the 2.2 million requested, and that of Blier.
Hear good people here is Sohier
For Pierre Grandjean who works in his own name at Gedinne, “we cannot draw great conclusions in my geographical area which is very wooded, sparsely populated and which did not know many great old families. There are therefore few castles and even fewer that are available. I am in charge of Sohier, with its 3.4 ha, sumptuous medieval building, very well restored by the people who have lived there for 20 years, in a village full of charm and flowers arranged everywhere by a generous citizen. Sohier is almost a unique case, easy to maintain, very well designed and purchasable in company shares which avoids registration fees.” Here’s a little trick that will save a nice amount.