# Anvaing Castle

- **Country:** Belgium
- **Coordinates:** 50.676000, 3.577000
- **Location Text:** Anvaing, Frasnes-lez-Anvaing

Anvaing Castle, also known as Château de Lannoy, is a historic residence located in the village of Anvaing within the municipality of Frasnes-lez-Anvaing in the province of Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium. While the specific year of its original construction is not recorded, the site has been occupied by a castle since the era of the First Crusade, with the first documented reference dating back to 1127. The structure seen today largely reflects reconstructions undertaken in 1561 and again in 1800. Throughout its long history, the estate has been owned by prominent noble families, initially the Roubaix family and subsequently the House of Lannoy, who retain ownership to this day. Notably, Stéphanie, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, was born into the de Lannoy family and spent her childhood within these walls.

The castle holds profound historical significance as the location where the Belgian capitulation was signed on May 28, 1940, during the Battle of the Lys in World War II. At that time, the building served as the headquarters for the German 6th Army. Belgian plenipotentiaries arrived in the morning to meet with German commanders Walther von Reichenau and Friedrich Paulus. Following discussions in the dining room, the surrender document was read and signed, effectively ending Belgian resistance at 10:00 am. A unique physical remnant of this event remains visible today; during the celebration of the signing, a German officer fired a shot into the ceiling, leaving a mark that has been preserved.

Currently, Anvaing Castle remains a private residence under the stewardship of the Lannoy family, with Philippe, count de Lannoy, listed as an occupant. Although it is not explicitly described as open to the general public for tours, its legacy is well-documented through historical records and external archives dedicated to the castles of Hainaut. The building stands as a tangible link to both medieval nobility and pivotal twentieth-century military history, bridging centuries of European heritage in a single structure. Its continued preservation by the same family for generations underscores its enduring importance within the region's cultural landscape.

![Photo of Anvaing Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Anvaing_JPG01.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anvaing_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)