Chateau Naveau

Antwerp, Belgium, Belgium

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Château Naveau near Antwerp is an 18th‑century country house built on the site of an earlier 11th‑century fortification, traditionally associated with the nearby village of Bommershoven rather than the city of Antwerp itself.

The present building was constructed between 1759 and 1761 by Marcel‑Gérard Magnée for the Contreras family, and over the centuries it has also been known as Château Gendebien and as Kasteel Naveau de Marteau, reflecting changes in ownership and local naming. During the Second World War, the château briefly served as a command post for the US 82nd Airborne Division in December 1944, adding a military layer to its history.

Today the estate is surrounded by a park and gardens that were developed in the 19th and 20th centuries in both geometric and landscape styles, and the whole complex is recognized as a protected monument in Belgium. In more recent decades, the ground floor of the building has been adapted for meetings and events, while the surrounding farm‑like structures emphasize its role as a historic “farm‑château” around which the local settlement grew.