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The Abbaye Notre Dame d'Orval have a handful of monks who are making Orval beer in the traditional way and once you have explored the monastery you could take yourself into the shop to buy some.
It's a very peaceful place, as one would expect a monastery to be, and you can, once you've paid your entrance fee, wander freely around the ruins and gardens.
Visitors are not allowed in the "newer" part of the monastery that is in use and neither can you go into the actual factory where they make the beer but there is still a lot to see.
In 2005 the cost per adult for entry was E4.... and very worth it, might I add.
Updated Jun 14, 2007
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The name Orval and the logo with the fish refer to the legend of the Mathilde fountain. During a visit of the abbey by Mathilde of Tuscany in the 11th century, she lost her golden wedding ring. She invoked the help of Our Lady and soon after a trout appeared carrying the ring in its mouth. Then the countess exclaimed she found herself in a golden valley (Val d’ Or also known as Orval).
Updated Nov 30, 2006
Address: B-6823 Villers-devant-Orval
Phone: [32] 61.31.10.60
Website: www.orval.be
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Make sure you take the time to walk through the 18th century ruins of the original monastery. Entrance allows gives you access to a 20 minute audiovisual play of the past & present life in the monastery.
Updated Nov 27, 2006
Address: B-6823 Villers-devant-Orval
Phone: [32] 61.31.10.60
Website: www.orval.be
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The Orval brewery is not open to the public, but you may buy their beer at the gift store next to the gatehouse. Their beer is also sold internationally, but be ready to pay a significant amount of money outside of Belgium.
Updated Nov 27, 2006
Address: B-6823 Villers-devant-Orval
Phone: [32] 61.31.12.61
Website: www.orval.be
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Within the guesthouse you will find several gardens. This is the flowere garden witch is located between the private bedrooms and the guesthouse entrance. These gardens are prefect for reading and relaxation.
Updated Nov 27, 2006
Address: B-6823 Villers-devant-Orval
Website: www.orval.be
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Next to the reading room you will find the Kitchen and Dinning room. There is three meals a day; breakfast, lunch and dinner. Don't expect anything too fancy, simply meat and potatoes or cheese with cold cuts of meat. Beer is also provided.
Updated Nov 27, 2006
Address: B-6823 Villers-devant-Orval
Website: www.orval.be
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Once you have checked in with the Guest-Master Brother, and placed your luggage away in your private room, you will be able to walk around the property & read in quiet rooms such as this on located next to the dinning room.
Updated Nov 27, 2006
Address: B-6823 Villers-devant-Orval
Phone: [32] 61.32.51.10
Website: www.orval.be
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Once you have enter the monastery through the Gatehouse, you will be able to purchase tickets to the ruins and the museum. If you have made arrangements to stay at the guesthouse, you will have to tell the person working at the gatehouse that you are on your way to the guesthouse. The Gatehouse attendant will also give you access to the church.
Updated Nov 22, 2006
Address: B-6823 Villers-devant-Orval
Website: www.orval.be
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Once you have existed the Museum, and you are on your way out of the Ruins, you will come upon the natural herb farmacy where the monks cultivated a viriety of herbs for medicinal purposes.
Updated Nov 30, 2006
Address: B-6823 Villers-devant-Orval
Website: www.orval.be
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The entrance to the ruins also gives you access to the elaborate museum located within the basement of the main Church.
Updated Nov 30, 2006
Address: B-6823 Villers-devant-Orval
Website: www.orval.be
Reviews and photos of Villers-devant-Orval attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Villers-devant-Orval sightseeing.
The entrance to the ruins also gives you access to the elaborate museum located within the basement of the main Church.
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1
Orval was my last stop on my Trappist Beer & Monastery Tour. I stayed here for two days before making my way back to Brussels. The dates were August 22nd through August 24th. This Monastery had...
2
The earliest acheological remains date back t the Franks. The first oratory is built in the 10th century. The first monks (Benedictines from Italy) arrive in 1070. In 1132 with a group of monks sent...
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