Ath - Château d'Attre

Built in the 18th C. for the Comte de Gomegnies, replacing a medieval castle, the Louis XV style Château d'Attre, situated 5km/3mi southeast of Ath, was a favorite with Maria Christina, daughter of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria and Governor of the South (Austrian) Netherlands. The château's interior furnishings are almost entirely original, providing a unique glimpse into the life of the aristocracy in the 18th C. The fine parquet floors are by Dewez and the stucco work in the great salon by the Italian Ferrari.

The paintings include works by Snyders, Hubert Robert and Watteau ("Les plaisirs d'été"). The wall-coverings are a particularly noteworthy feature of the house. They exemplify the many different materials in vogue at the time, from rice-paper and Chinese silk to the painted wallpaper (1760) of the Archduke's salon, the first such paper to be used in Belgium.