We invite you to discover…
12 centuries of history
9th century
We are in Aubry Du Hainaut, small seigneury of countryside situated at a good mile from valenciennes, close to the Escaut.
Since the 9th century, this region is not french any more, further to the division of the Charlemagne’s empire. Constituted of powerful principalities, the hainaut desired by the most powerful, keeps the natural border of the Escaut and occupies a strategic position in the heart of septentrionale Europe and fights against the attacks of some and the others.
12th century
In 12th century, in this seigneury, in front of looters, a small fort is built. It takes advantage of swamps to surround itself with moats. It will be the birth of the first “Château d’Aubry”.
13th century
From the 13th century, the Hainaut passes from hands to hands: first of all to the houses of Avesnes then of Bavière, then to the duchy of Burgundy and finally, to the Roman Germanic Saint Empire, and this until the wars of Louis the 14th.
15th century
In 1494 was born the future François the first, the King of France, who will always have the project to invade The Hainaut.
The young Charles Quint, born in Ghent, reigns since 1519 on a very vast Roman Germanic Saint Empire. From 1500 to 1520, the castle becomes an indefensible and useless fortified town in this province under Spanish dominion. Jean De Thiant destroys the feudal castle and builds a Renaissance castle with this still current Flemish and Spanish front.
17th century
Several seigneurial families are going to succeed one another by being passed on the castle by the women every 1 to 3 generations. The counts Van Der Burch, in the 17th century, will be the main developers of the castle. They will succeed there one another until the revolution
and will return there.
19th century
In 1846 begins the industrial epic of the Valenciennes region. Big works are undertaken by Mr henri Maurice to recondition the castle and create the English-style park.
20th century
Afterward, during more than one hundred years, the castle becomes for the inhabitants of Valenciennes a place of elegant meetings. Artists as Eugène Chigot, succeed there one another in the music lounge and in the magnificent park, but it degrades due to the lack of capital.
from 1997 to present
In 1997, Jean Pierre and christine coquerelle, the current owners, meet the challenge to save this majestic witness of the past of Hainaut. They need 2 years of intense works to recondition it while respecting its history and its soul. Today they brought back to life this place deserving of courteous feasts of Watteau and will be happy to welcome you in this hostelry of charm and this place of outstanding seminars.
To know more about it:
3 years to return to the life
Initiative : the castle of aubry is made hotel
