Orval Abbey

Orval Abbey is one of the most significant Cistercian sites in Europe. Nestled in the Gaume forest, the complex features a striking contrast between the evocative 12th-century ruins and the monumental 20th-century reconstruction in golden stone.

The Ruins and the Legend

The skeletal remains of the medieval abbey, destroyed during the French Revolution, offer a walk through Romanesque and Gothic history. At the heart of the ruins lies the Fountain of Matilda, the site where the legendary trout supposedly returned a golden ring to Countess Matilda of Tuscany—an event that gave the abbey its name (Val d'Or).

Trappist Tradition

Today, Orval remains a working monastery. While the monks live in seclusion, the public can visit the medicinal herb garden and the 18th-century pharmaceutical museum. The onsite brewery produces the world-renowned Orval Trappist beer, supporting the monastery's social missions and site preservation.