Helene von Breuning and her four children, Christoph, Stephan, Lorenz and Eleonore, lived in this prestigious building, a Canons' House. Her husband had died in 1777 during the fire in the castle. She became a "surrogate mother" to Ludwig, and the Breuning house was his second home.

During the childrens' home tuition, Beethoven had access to a classical education. He, in turn, gave them piano lessons. Visits of several weeks' duration took him to the family's relatives in Kerpen near Cologne, and to Ahrweiler. He maintained a life-long friendship particularly with Eleonore and Stephan von Breuning.

Later on, Beethoven's friend, Franz Gerhard Wegeler, remembered: "Mother von Breuning held the greatest sway over the stubborn, often unfriendly young man." She shrugged off Beethoven's so-called "strokes of genius" with the remark: "He's just gone into one of his raptures again." This term was to accompany Beethoven throughout his life.

This representative residence, ancienne maison de chanoine, was inhabited by Hélène von Breuning and her four grandchildren, Christoph, Stephan, Lorenz and Éléonore. Her husband died in the castle fire in 1777, making her a "second mother" for Ludwig and the Breuning house a second foyer.

Beethoven participated in the education of the children at home and thus had access to classical culture. He gave them piano lessons. Long stays with the family took him to Kerpen, near Cologne, and to Ahrweiler. He ended his life through an amorous relationship with Éléonore and Stephan von Breuning.

L'ami de Beethoven Franz Gerhard Wegeler remembers later: "Mère von Breuning held the greatest authority over the adolescent, who was often tired and revolted. " Elle accueillait les prétendus " traits de génie " de Beethoven d'un haussement d'épaules : " Le voilà de nouveau pris d'un raptus. " Ce terme ponctua toute sa vie.