The Abbey of Notre-Dame d'Orval is truly unlike any other. Located in the south of Belgium, just a few kilometers from the French border, legend has it that it was Countess Matilda of Tuscany who decided to found the abbey.
You might know the abbey for its famous Trappist beer—but hold on tight, because today we’re going to take you on a journey full of surprises.
Below is the story of this remarkable place.
The Unexpected Foundation of the Abbey of Notre-Dame d'Orval
It all began in the 11th century, when Countess Matilda of Tuscany went out for a walk. Feeling tired and thirsty, she stopped by a stream to take a drink. That’s when she accidentally dropped her wedding ring into the water. She was heartbroken—it was the only memory she had left of her late husband. Devastated, she didn’t hesitate to beg the Virgin Mary for help.
Not long after, her prayer was answered: a trout emerged from the stream, holding her ring in its mouth!
Overjoyed and full of gratitude, she took back the ring and exclaimed,
“Truly, this is a golden valley!”
To give thanks to the Virgin Mary, she promised to found an abbey in this “Orval.” And that is the Abbey of Notre-Dame d'Orval that we know today!
Turmoil at the Abbey
While tradition dates the start of monastic life at Orval to 1070, the abbey’s history has been full of challenges. Barely 40 years after its foundation, the monks had already left the site.
But there was no question of letting the abbey fall into ruin! A group of canons came to take their place. However, they quickly ran into financial difficulties and asked to be affiliated with the Order of Cîteaux, which was expanding rapidly at the time. Their request was sent directly to Saint Bernard himself, who entrusted the Abbey of Trois-Fontaines in Champagne with managing Orval.
In 1132, seven Cistercian monks arrived at Orval. They joined with the canons already there to form a single community. Wasting no time, they reorganized the abbey’s operations to align with Cistercian life. Their efforts paid off: the new church was completed even before the year 1200.
But peace was short-lived. In 1252, the abbey of Orval was completely destroyed by fire. The community fell into decline. Vocations and resources were so scarce that closing the abbey was even considered. It was a very difficult time.
The 15th and 16th centuries didn’t bring much relief. Conflicts between various European powers severely affected the abbey, which sat right in the path of these clashes. This time, it was the surrounding land that was ravaged.
Better Days Ahead!
Fortunately, the story doesn’t end there. Thanks to the monks’ courage and perseverance, the abbey began to recover. The real golden age came in the 17th century. After so many trials, it was a true blessing! At its height, the abbey became known as “the largest in Europe,” with 130 monks living there by 1723.
But history took another turn. As the French Revolution gathered momentum and finally broke out in 1789, all the monks’ hard work was wiped away. The abbey was destroyed, and the community was scattered. Orval remained in ruins for over a century.
A New Start
A revival finally became possible thanks to a generous family. In 1926, the Harennes took on the task of saving the ruins of Orval. They decided to donate the site to the Order of Cîteaux to restore monastic life there. A great sigh of relief—honor was preserved!
French Abbot Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard, from the Abbey of Sept-Fons, took charge of the project. He sent a group of monks to Orval to form the new community. Things moved quickly: a new monastery was built on the ruins of the 18th-century structure.
The monks officially returned to Orval in 1927. They had a huge challenge ahead—funding the enormous restoration work. Although they launched various projects, it still wasn’t enough.
Then came a brilliant idea.
They decided to open a brewery, operated by laypeople under the supervision of the monks. This gradually helped finance the completion of the restoration, and it still supports the abbey’s finances today.
From the start, brewing has always been done by laypeople, strictly overseen by the monks, in line with the rules for the “Authentic Trappist Product” label.
Today, the brewery employs 28 people, but production is still far below demand, making Orval beer very difficult to find in regular shops!
And Today?
Today, the Trappist brothers live according to the Rule of Saint Benedict: ora et labora—pray and work. On the prayer side, they attend seven services each day, starting at 5 a.m. On the work side, they dedicate themselves to making excellent monastic products.
Orval Abbey is, of course, known for its Trappist beer, but also for its honey candies and cheese.
In keeping with the Trappist tradition, Orval has its own tavern: the Auberge de l’Ange Gardien, named after a book by the Countess of Ségur—a favorite of the family of the abbey’s 1927 architect.
There you can enjoy drinks like Orval beer (including green Orval) and water from the Mathilde spring, along with food such as the famous Orvaliflette—a tartiflette made with Orval cheese. Don’t hesitate to stop by!
And if you’re interested in a short retreat at the abbey, the monks will gladly welcome you to their hotel.
How to Find Abbey of Notre-Dame d'Orval's Products
To discover all of Orval’s products, the best way is to visit in person! The monks will be happy to welcome you to their shop: Abbaye d’Orval 1, 6823 Florenville, Belgium.
Otherwise, you can click here to buy Orval products online!