La vieille ferme de Godinne

La vieille ferme de Godinne (also known as Vieille ferme de Godinne) is a fortified farm and heritage site in Godinne, in the municipality of Yvoir, Namur province, Wallonia, Belgium. Built in 1623 by François de Maillen, it is classified as protected heritage property by the Walloon Region. The farm is notable for its architecture and history, forming a remarkably well-preserved ensemble of 17th-century buildings arranged around a central paved courtyard, constructed in limestone and sandstone with a homogeneous elevation style. Access is through a simple porch, once flanked by two square towers of which only the right one survives; the 1623 coat of arms of the Maillen family, owners of the site since 1512, can still be seen. Today the Vieille ferme de Godinne serves as a cultural centre for the local community. It houses a library, a museum, a conference room and a concert hall. The archaeological museum of the Haute-Meuse (MAHM) opened there in 2001. The library, founded in 1976 in the seigneurial dwelling, was moved in 1981 to a larger space in the former stables; at that inauguration the old library space was converted into a dining room. The non-profit association Le Patrimoine de Godinne has played an essential role in preserving and promoting the site since the farm was sold in 1959, when it was in a state of disrepair. The farm is located near a Romanesque church, Saint-Pierre, and a castle, both part of the region's architectural heritage. The site is recognized for its archaeological, architectural, historical and landscape interest and is considered one of the beautiful sites of the Meuse valley. It is managed as a cultural centre by the local authority of Yvoir, and its official page is hosted on the municipality's website.

The site of the Vieille ferme de Godinne has its origins in the 16th century, when the Maillen lineage emerged in the Godinne region. Félix de Maillen became lord of Godinne in 1512 through his wife, Isabeau de le Cygne, as an inheritance of a fief dependent on Spontin; at the time the estate was described as a small manor. Félix's grandson Thierry married Marguerite de Sohey and became lord of Godinne and Rivière; in 1587 Thierry acquired the venne, a fish trap at Godinne. In 1594 their son François succeeded Thierry. As holder of the high and landed seigneurie inherited from the Archdukes Albert and Isabella, François de Maillen, husband of Jeanne Honoré, undertook the enlargement and fortification of the farm of Godinne. He had high enclosing walls built, including three of the four corner towers that still stand. The couple's arms were affixed in 1623 on the east portal of the farm, symbolizing the union of their coats of arms. François de Maillen was wounded at the Saint-Remy market in Namur in 1624 and died shortly afterwards without leaving descendants. In his will of 5 December 1624, he bequeathed his estate to his wife Jeanne Honoré, then to his godson Gérard d'Orjo, son of Hélène de Maillen and the lord Gilles d'Orjo d'Anthée. In the 17th century, Philippe-Florent, son of Gérard d'Orjo, had a Mosan Renaissance-style residence built, completed in 1687. The seigneurie was taken over and attributed in 1638 to the Hascamps and Waha, who sold their share (Godinne on the right bank) in 1643 to Gérard d'Orjo, whose descendants in turn sold all their Godinne possessions in 1721 to the Moniot. The latter remained in possession of the seigneurie until the end of the Ancien Régime. In the 20th century, the non-profit association Le Patrimoine de Godinne played an essential role in preserving and promoting the Vieille Ferme de Godinne. Since the sale of the farm in 1959, when it was in a state of disrepair, the association has been committed to preserving this historic site. In 1981 significant changes took place: the library, founded in 1976 and located in the seigneurial dwelling, was moved to a larger space in the former stables, optimizing the use of space within the farm and offering a more spacious environment for the library. That year, at the inauguration, the old library space was transformed into a dining room, providing a convivial place for visitors. The archaeological museum of the Haute-Meuse (MAHM) opened in 2001. Today the farm houses a library, a museum, a conference room and a concert hall, serving as a cultural centre for the local community.

• 2001

  The Musée archéologique de la Haute-Meuse (MAHM) opens.

• 1981

  The library moves to the former stables; the old library space becomes a dining room.

• 1976

  The library is founded in the seigneurial dwelling.

• 1959

  The farm is sold while in a state of disrepair; Le Patrimoine de Godinne association commits to its preservation.

• 1721

  The d'Orjo descendants sell all their Godinne possessions to the Moniot family.

• 1687

  Completion of the Mosan Renaissance-style residence built by Philippe-Florent d'Orjo.

• 1643

  The Hascamps and Waha sell their share to Gérard d'Orjo.

• 1638

  The seigneurie is attributed to the Hascamps and Waha.

• 1624

  François de Maillen dies; his will bequeaths the estate to his wife Jeanne Honoré and then to his godson Gérard d'Orjo.

• 1623

  François de Maillen fortifies and enlarges the farm; the couple's arms are affixed on the east portal.

• 1594

  François de Maillen succeeds Thierry.

• 1587

  Thierry de Maillen acquires the venne, a fish trap at Godinne.

• 1512

  Félix de Maillen becomes lord of Godinne through his wife Isabeau de le Cygne.

A protected heritage site and community cultural centre in the Meuse valley.

• Library

  Founded in 1976, moved to the former stables in 1981.

• Musée archéologique de la Haute-Meuse (MAHM)

  Archaeological museum opened in 2001.

• Conference hall

  A room for conferences and events.

• Concert hall

  A hall for concerts.

1. 1La vieille ferme de Godinne - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Vieille ferme de Godinne - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org
3. 3Centre culturel La vieille ferme - Yvoiryvoir.be