Abbaye de Villers

About

Founded in 1146 by a dozen monks and 3 lay brothers, the Abbaye de Villers had a slow start, taking 70 years to finally finish. Over the following centuries, the abbey would swell in size, becoming home to 100 monks and 300 lay brothers. However, by the 16th century, the abbey began to decline: Spanish soldiers, dwindling funds, and a shortage of monks all contributed, but it was the French Revolution that put the final nail in the coffin, forcing its complete abandonment in 1796. A century later, conservation efforts finally began on this official historic site. Today, visitors can wander the grounds to admire the Cistercian-style beauty in several of the outbuildings, such as the dorms, kitchen, refectory, cloister, and most importantly, the brewing house. The monastery also offers, guided visits, activity days, and a variety of concerts throughout the year. For more info, please visit http://www.villers.be/fr