Abbaye Notre-Dame d'Orval

About the museum

The first monks, who came from southern Italy, settled at Orval in 1070, welcomed by Count Arnould of Chiny. They withdrew after some forty years; a community of canons succeeded them and had the church consecrated in 1124. On 9 March 1131 seven Cistercian monks arrived, joined the canons and adapted the buildings to Cistercian life; the new church was completed before 1200. The monks built up an agricultural and forestry estate, and the Buré-Villancy site became the centre of their iron industry.

The abbey then went through difficult periods, including a fire around 1252. It was destroyed during the French Revolution in 1793, when the medieval abbey and the neoclassical complex by Laurent-Benoît Dewez stood side by side. In 1926 the de Harenne family gave the ruins and the surrounding land to the Order of Cîteaux; a new Trappist community rebuilt the monastery, completed in 1948.

The collections of the monastery museum were inaugurated in 1970. The visit route brings together four places: the Maison des hôtes (guest house), the former pharmacy, the Communs Abraham and the Dewez cellars. Visitors move between the Cistercian ruins and trails on the architecture of the abbey, the tradition of the monk herbalists, brewing know-how and monastic life through the centuries. A medicinal herb garden, an abbey shop and a bookshop complete the visit.

Highlights

• Ruins of the Cistercian abbey with an interpretation trail
• Maison des hôtes with animated models of the abbey's three periods
• Former 18th-century pharmacy and medicinal herb garden
• Dewez cellars with archaeological objects, sacred art and pieces from the old forges
• Communs Abraham: brewing know-how, tactile model and work by Brother Abraham Gilson

Permanent exhibition

• Musée d'Orval – Route through four places (Maison des hôtes, former pharmacy, Communs Abraham, Dewez cellars) and through the Cistercian ruins.

Founded

1970

Operated by

Abbaye Notre-Dame d'Orval

Admission & discounts

Article 27 accepted. Guided tours of the ruins (40 minutes) are included in the entrance price.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The site has an access page for people with reduced mobility and visual impairments; a tactile model of the monastery at the Communs Abraham is available for visually impaired visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Interactive trail for children at the Communs Abraham.

Getting there & parking

Orval is 8 km from Florenville, in the direction of Virton. From Brussels: E411 towards Arlon, exit 26, then Florenville.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Abbey shop (Orval cheese and beer, religious items, souvenirs) and bookshop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit