Beaufort Castle

Beaufort Castle is a ruined medieval fortress perched on a rocky spur in Ben-Ahin, right next to Huy in the Belgian region of Wallonia. It stands at the point where the Solières stream meets the Meuse River, a location that made it a natural defensive stronghold overlooking the river valley for centuries.

When was the castle built?

The fortress was raised at the end of the 12th century. Its first written mention dates to 1194, appearing in the chronicle of Gislebert of Mons, where the castellum Bealfort is recorded as a possession of the Principality of Liège. The castle was meant to protect the principality against the expanding County of Namur, acting as an advanced defensive outpost on the border between the two territories.

Who ruled the castle?

By 1227 the castle is listed as the property of Arnold de Beaufort, chief of the ministerials of the prince-bishop of Liège and the first lord of the place. His name gave the small seigneury its identity, a lordship that covered the surrounding villages of Ahin, Ben, Gives, Saint-Léonard, La Sarte-à-Ben and Solières, all part of the historical Condroz region.

What conflicts affected the castle?

Beaufort changed political hands more than once, passing first under the Liège sphere of influence, then under Namur. It also became a major point of contention during the so-called War of the Cow, which devastated Condroz villages between 1275 and 1278. The most decisive blow came later, in 1430, when a siege led by troops from Huy left the castle's keep in ruins.

What remains of the castle today?

What survives today is mainly the massive, heavily ruined keep, still visible on the heights above Ben. It is the only substantial trace left of the once-imposing fortress. The site remains privately owned by the Beaufort family, and the municipality of Huy organizes guided visits on select days in August, allowing access to what is otherwise private land.

Why visit Beaufort Castle?

The ruins are a popular stop for hikers exploring the area around Huy, thanks to their scenic setting above a bend of the Meuse, between Namur and Liège. The site draws both history enthusiasts and visitors looking for a rewarding viewpoint, blending the raw atmosphere of a medieval ruin with sweeping views over the river valley — a lesser-known but distinctive landmark of the Condroz region.

Frequently asked questions

Can Beaufort Castle be visited? Yes, but only occasionally — the land is private, and visits are organized mainly in August by the municipality of Huy.

Where exactly is the castle located? On a rocky spur in Ben-Ahin, where the Solières stream flows into the Meuse, close to Huy.

How old is the castle? It was built at the end of the 12th century, with the first written record dating from 1194.

What destroyed the castle? Its keep was ruined during a siege by troops from Huy in 1430.