Guided tours & discovery guide
Discover Alden Biesen your way
Discover the stories, secrets, and history of Alden Biesen with a guide at your side, or set out on your own with a discovery guide in hand.
Immerse yourself in stories of knights, commanders, and the estate's rich heritage. Whether you enjoy historical depth or prefer to explore on your own, your journey begins here.
DISCOVER
Tour 1 - including the museum
During this tour, you'll first receive a clear overview of the Order of Knights and Alden Biesen's role as a land commandery. Then, with your guide, you'll explore the French gardens and the Moated Castle, where themes of faith and power are brought to life through paintings, sculptures, and historical documents.
The historical tour
Including the museum
Tour 2 - excluding the museum
This tour begins at the Tourist Information Office, where you'll join a guide for a tour of the Alden Biesen estate. Along the way, you'll learn more about the site's history, the Order of Knights, and Alden Biesen's role as a Grand Commandery. The historical explanation is interspersed with fun facts and stories.
The historical tour
EXcluding the museum
TOUR 1
THE HISTORICAL TOUR
Including the museum
During this tour, you'll first receive a clear overview of the Order of Knights and Alden Biesen's role as a land commandery. Then, with your guide, you'll explore the French gardens and the Moated Castle, where themes of faith and power are brought to life through paintings, sculptures, and historical documents.
The tour lasts a maximum of two hours and concludes in the museum café (Oranjerie). Afterwards, you are free to explore the castle further, listen to the audio play in the cellar, or explore the grounds at your own pace.
PRACTICAL:
TOUR 2
THE HISTORICAL TOUR
EXCLUDING THE MUSEUM
This tour begins at the Tourist Information Office, where you'll join a guide for a tour of the Alden Biesen estate. Along the way, you'll learn more about the site's history, the Order of Knights, and Alden Biesen's role as a Grand Commandery. The historical explanation is interspersed with fun facts and stories.
The tour lasts about two hours and ends in the museum café (Oranjerie).
Please note: this walk does not include the moated castle. The French garden is only accessible when the museum is closed. Afterwards, you can continue exploring the grounds at your own pace.
PRACTICAL:
DISCOVER AT YOUR OWN PACE
DISCOVERY GUIDES
Explore Alden Biesen at your own pace with our discovery guide. This handy guide will guide you through the estate and immerse you in the rich history of the Grand Commandery.
Scan the QR codes in the guide along the way and listen to short stories on your smartphone. There's a version for adults and one specifically for children.
The guides are available in Dutch, French and English, and can be obtained from the Tourism Information Office.
MUSEUM CAFE
Every group taking a guided tour—with or without a museum visit—will have access to the Museum Café, provided it is open. The guide will conclude the tour here. The café will remain open until one hour after the museum closes.
Enjoy a snack and a drink in the café's charming, historic setting. The menu also features several dishes that evoke Alden Biesen's rich history.