The Castle of Grand-Bigard is a 12th century castle located in Groot-Bijgaarden, Belgium, 7 km west of Brussels. It is surrounded by a broad moat and is accessed by a five-arch bridge and drawbridge. The castle itself is a wonderful example of Flemish and Medieval Renaissance style, with a long pink brick main building, white stone windows and blue slate roof. In 1902, renovations began that lasted 30 years and the surrounding 14 hectare park was created in the early 20th century.

30. Images and text: Internet
Music: Léo Delibes
“Coppélia-Waltz”
Adriana

31. The Castle of Grand-Bigard is situated in the pretty village of Groot-
Bijgaarden (in the municipality of Dilbeek, Flemish Brabant), 7 km west of
Brussel toward Halle. The Castle, first built in the 12th century, is
surrounded by a broad moat. A five-arch bridge crosses over to the
drawbridge leading to the fortified entrance dating back to the 14th
century. The castle itself is a wonderful example of the Flemish and
Medieval Renaissance style, with a long, one-storied main building in pink
brick, contrasting beautifully with the white stone mullioned windows and
the blue slate roof. The chapel, in the right wing, has remained unchanged
for the last three centuries, and the left wing is surmounted by a bulb-
shaped roof. The dungeon, a massive 30-metre high structure next to the
fortified entrance, has four floors. There is a marvellous view of Brussels
and the Flemish countryside to be had from the fourth floor terrace. In
1902, Raymond Pelgrims de Bigard became the owner of the castle and
began renovations that lasted 30 years. Garden architect Louis Fuchs
created the 14 hectare park alongside the castle at the start of the 20th
century. The park is open in spring every year since 2003 for an
international flower exhibition with tulips from the Netherlands.