The Abbeys Trail

Cross the neo-Gothic Poulie bridge and go along the magnificent route de la Semois: this will take you to Cordemoy or Clairefontaine Abbey. The style may be familiar as it calls to mind Orval Abbey, designed by the same architect, Henry Vaes, with its diagonal ribs evoking hands clasped together in prayer. The cloistered nuns receive visitors within their community every day.

On the fringes of the Gaume, the warm limestone colour of the Cistercian Orval Abbey radiates an atmosphere of peace. The vicissitudes and shocks of history have not extinguished the flame that brings life to Orval, a haven of peace that remains distanced from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.

This abbey church with its Gothic interior dotted with Renaissance elements was raised to the rank of basilica in 1927. The Romanesque crypt, which dates from the 11th century, still exists. It has five naves, an ambulatory and several chapels. This outstanding heritage site of Wallonia houses a permanent exhibition on the worship of Saint Hubert.

The great forest Paradise for walkers and cyclists! The Grande Randonnée hiking trail (GR 14) crosses this grand forest, which abounds in oak and beech trees and is crossed by streams and torrents. The Bannet leisure park, to the north-east of Sedan, is the perfect place to plunge into the green ocean and follow one of its many waymarked circuits on foot or by mountain bike. Information / Bannet leisure park and mountain biking centre.

Could the forest of the Ardennes also be ‘this wilderness’ usually associated with the East, where hermits and monks live in isolation in order to converse with God? In the 12th century twelve monks, led by Roger, discovered one of these wildernesses, offered by the Count of Rethel who wanted to atone for the massacre of the village of Boulzicourt. This land, named ‘east land’ by the Irish monk, was ideally situated away from the world, far from the life of trade … buried in solitude in the deepest forest. The site was near quarries and surrounded by springs. These days, Elan still retains its ability to captivate.

Here, at the heart of a lost valley, stand a few scattered buildings: this is all that remains of the Carthusian monastery of Mont-Dieu, once one of the largest monastic centres of western Europe. In 1084, Bruno of Cologne, in search of a life of solitude, austerity and prayer, withdrew to the heart of the alpine massif, to Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, a virgin, isolated area. With his six companions, he founded a ‘wilderness’ here. The Order soon spread throughout France: the first prior of the ‘Grande Chartreuse’ came to the Ardennes and in Mont Dieu he found the ideal spot to live according to the rules of the Carthusians, observing total silence and living as hermits in small houses. The rows of shrubs that now adorn the site bear witness to the 180 arcades that led these solitary monks, three times a day, from their cell to the church.

The castle ruins, dating from the 16th century, no longer reflect the lavish property of Louis de Gonzague, father of the founder of Charleville, Charles. At the height of its glory, the vast French-style garden extended towards the canal. The estate was laid waste during the Second World War. Alongside it, the Convent of the Cordeliers, founded by the same owners, still stands today. A sound and light show takes place at the end of the week in summer among the magnificent castle ruins.

In the Middle Ages, the abbeys of Chéhéry and Montiers-en-Argonne (Marne) and of Lachalade (Meuse) were established in Argonne Forest: the monks’ task was to overpower the devilish forces and Celtic beliefs that haunted the region. To do this, they cleared the land – to excess. Razed in 1657, Chéhéry Abbey was to be rebuilt at the end of the 17th century. The classical, harmonious façade is a fine illustration of the Cistercian order. Today a substantial edifice of bricks and stone still remains, the former abode of priors and monks. The courtyard is flanked by two pavilions (outbuildings and shed).

Late 12th century… Culture, confined within the abbeys, such as the Benedictine monastery of Mouzon, opened up to the outside world. Ways of thinking evolved and this phenomenon was also seen in art. Whereas the Romanesque is a style of balance, Gothic expresses verticality. The abbatial church of Mouzon was a fine example of this new trend. Only the church and the abbey gardens, in the French style, are open to visitors: the abbey itself has become a retirement home.

The Sylvia Arduina may be untamed and inhospitable, but it nevertheless remained inhabited. This vast territory needed to be evangelised – so said the Frankish Kings! The hermits were the first scouts. One of them, Walfroy, settled in Margut. He was not alone… A few kilometres away, in the middle of the forest, monks founded Orval Abbey…

The 19th-century castle was inherited from the abbey of the Premonstratensian Order, founded in 1129. Laid waste during religious wars and border conflicts, it was rebuilt by the order in 1698. At the start of the 14-18 war, General Joffre set up his headquarters in the abbey: the rapid advance of the Germans forced him to leave the place very quickly. In September, Kaiser Wilhelm II settled in Charleville: he turned Septfontaines Castle into a casino where he came every day to take tea, accompanied by his senior officers. This game of musical chairs among the generals continued in the 1930s… General de Gaulle liked to stroll through the castle grounds with his wife.

She could go unnoticed, and yet… Our Lady possesses a real gem. After the two World Wars, the window was totally destroyed. The town called upon a number of art workshops. Against all odds, the proposal made to Picasso was positively received. The great artist himself took an interest and became fascinated by the project. However, there was a major concern: Picasso was not a believer! No matter: he entrusted this huge commission to his deeply pious pupil, René Dürrbach. He was to devote 25 years to the task, and together with glassmaker André Seurre he created a work covering 1000 m2, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The window is marked by the symbolism of the Picasso School. Completed in 1979, this intimist composition speaks to all and is open to every culture. The basilica welcomes visitors daily, thanks to volunteers who can offer you the keys needed to ‘read’ this complex work.

Seventeen monks came from Flanders, from Westvleteren Abbey, where they already made a Trappist beer, to found a Cistercian abbey in the midst of a lost, marshy and inhospitable region. No problem! In 12 years, they built a monastery and a brewery producing a divine nectar: Chimay beer, known throughout the world.

Our Lady of Saint-Rémy Abbey, which stands in a Famenne forest, is hidden from sight and holds treasure! Within its walls, a cathedral of cooper produces Rochefort Trappist beer, one of the best in the world. In 1230 Gilles de Walcourt, lord of Rochefort, decided to found an abbey for the Cistercian nuns on his land. The abbey enjoyed two centuries of peace. When the cloistered nuns handed over to monks, the monastery was destroyed time after time. After the French Revolution, the abbey embarked upon a second life… In 1899, Trappist monks from Achel brought with them their brewers’ know-how. It was the beginning of a new story…

A stone’s throw from Dinant, in the small Leffe valley, nestles Prémontrés Abbey. Founded in 1121, it suffered the same fate as Dinant. When the town was sacked by Charles the Bold in 1466, the abbey did not escape the pillaging and destruction. A fountain of that period still exists, from which poured forth pure water, perfect for brewing beer. The abbey rose from its ashes and brewed again. In the 20th century, Leffe Abbey bequeathed the name of its beer to a secular company.… An unusual fate for this beer which is today the world’s most widely sold abbey beer!

Monastic fervour in the late 19th century gave rise to new abbeys in Europe. Maredret, which lies not far from Maredsous, displays the characteristic neo-Gothic style, impressive and austere. It was home to Benedictine cloistered nuns.

Maredsous Abbey has shone forth at the heart of the Molignée valley for 140 years. Its plan, inherited from that of the abbeys of Aulne and Villers-la-Ville, is impressive, giving an idea of what the abbeys were during the time of their splendour. Set in the midst of the luxuriant pastures of the Namur plateau, its position provided inspiration for the monks, who have been refining Maredsous cheese for over half a century.

Along the Abbeys Route, not far from Saint-Hubert, there is a small, peaceful corner, bathed in stillness. This haven of peace nestling in its forest setting is the Our Lady of Hurtebise monastery. Far removed from daily life, which can be stressful and hectic, the Benedictine cloistered nuns who have lived here since 1938 welcome all who need to take a break to recharge their emotional, mental and spiritual batteries.

Relive over a thousand years of history, revealed by an interactive, musical and … 3D route! Discover unusual objects, witnesses to the passions and wars that kept the residence of the Chimays alive.

This Gothic church, granted the status of a major Walloon heritage site, dates back to 1220. Pillaging, war and fire were to spread its construction over several centuries! The choir screen, which dates from 1531, is adorned with a fine drapery of Avesnes stone, said to be a gift of Charles V.

10 place Carnot 08400 VOUZIERS Tél. 03 24 71 97 57 www.tourisme.argonne-ardennaise.fr

La Manse Abbatiale 08160 Elan Tél. : +33 (0)3 24 37 25 85 www.paysdessources.com

35 rue du Ménil 08200 Sedan Tél. : +33 (0)3 24 27 73 73 www.tourisme-sedan.fr

22-24 place Ducale BP 419 08107 Charleville-Mézières cedex Tél. : + 33 (0) 3 24 56 06 08 www.ardennes.com

4 place Ducale BP 229 08102 Charleville-Mézières cedex Tél. : + 33 (0) 3 24 55 69 90 www.charleville-tourisme.com

place de l'Esro, 60 - 6890 Redu +32 (0)61/65.66.99 hautelesse@swing.be www.haute-lesse.be Open : - from 1st March to 31st October from 9am to 6pm - from 1st November to 28th February from 9.30am to 4.30pm

located at the entrance to the fortified castle esplanade Godefroid, 1 - 6830 Bouillon +32 (0)61/46.62.57 info@bouillon-initiative.be www.bouillon-initiative.be Open : - all year round except 25th December and 1st January - In December, January and February morning

Place du Marché, 15 - 6870 Saint-Hubert Tél. : +32 (0)61/61.30.10 info@saint-hubert-tourisme.be www.saint-hubert-tourisme.be Ouverture : - Tous les jours de 9 à 17h30 - Fermé les 01/01 et 25/12