The Town of Beloeil, Belgium

Visit Beloeil's new website at http://www.quevaucamps.be/ and the twinning page


German, French, Belgian and Scottish twinners outside Maybole West Church after the signing of official documents linking Maybole and Beloeil .	Beloeil Castle where the twinning documents between Maybole and the Belgian town of Beloeil were signed. Contributed by Margaret Davidson.

Quevaucamps, which is 260 km from Crosne, is an old locality which crossed the roadway of Brunehaut, the old Roman way. Its Latin name " Equicampus " means field of the Horse or pre to the horses. The town of Quevaucamps, in the province of Hainaut, is located halfway between Tournai and Mons, at the northern edge of the highway to Wallonia, gateway of connection between the industrial centers of Liege, Namur, Charleroi, Mons and the North Sea. Following the elections of October 10, 1976, nine communities, including Quevaucamps, amalgamated to form the new community entity of Beloeil (10,000 inhabitants). Photographs and Text courtesy of Crosne website

The Castle of BeIœit

The castle, residence of Princes de Ligne for centuries, includes collections of art from the 15th and 16th centuries and biographies of European princes and sovereigns.

The library, made up of 25 000 volumes, is particularly famous.

The castle is surrounded, of admirable gardens to the Frenchwoman, faithful to the spirit of XVIIème century, with an alternation of water, greenery, shade and light, decorated of 10 km hedges.

A Brief Historical Note

The Field of Beautifulœit is still the property of Prince de Ligne, 23rd head of this family, which draws it's name from the village of Line located fifteen kilometers to the north from Beautifulœit.

In the 14th century, Jean de Ligne married Jeanne de Condé who brought to him a dowry and and the inheritance of Beloeil and the neighbouring grounds. Since that time, the family settled there establishing the parks and castle.

The principal body of the building, transformed many times during centuries, was burnt in 1900 and rebuilt in 1902, on the foundations of the old one by the French architect Samson.

All of the furniture and the art objects, saved disaster thanks to the devotion of the population of Beloeil.

The problem of conservation of such an inheritance becomes increasingly difficult year by year. This is why the visits are a priceless support and a great encouragement for the owner and conservation volunteers.

The patronage and subsidies of the public authorities are infinitely valuable help received with great recognition.