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Wallonie

Orval Abbey

Wallonie

Orval Abbey

Highlight • Religious Site

Orval Abbey

Recommended by 128 cyclists out of 129

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Parc naturel de Gaume

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Location: Florenville, Virton, Wallonie, Wallonia, Belgium

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Top cycling routes to Orval Abbey

5.0

(3)

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1. Around Florenville - De Gaume Nature Park

55.3km

03:33

560m

Expert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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5.0

(2)

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2. View of the Abbey's castle – Orval Abbey loop from Florenville

38.5km

02:57

480m

Expert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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4.0

(1)

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3. View of the Abbey's castle – Orval Abbey loop from Marbehan

113km

07:24

1,130m

Expert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Tips

Perrine

October 25, 2021

Orval Abbey is a legendary place that combines history, culture, spirituality, and gourmet delights. The famous Orval Trappist beer is still brewed here, according to the original recipe. The label of the Orval bottle, as well as many of the abbey's ornaments, features a trout and a ring. Legend has it that Countess Mathilde de Canossa accidentally dropped her wedding ring into a fountain here. She prayed to God, and a trout appeared on the surface of the water, carrying the precious ring in its mouth. "It's a Val d'Or," cried the noblewoman. And she decided to found a monastery in this blessed place...

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Dominiek Van Dooren

July 21, 2025

Over a period of 22 years, from 1926 to 1948, a completely new abbey was built based on a design by architect Henri Vaes. This was primarily the work of Ghent native Albert-Marie Van der Cruyssen, who became the first abbot in 1936.

On August 20, 1929, the foundation stone was laid in the presence of Prince Leopold and Cardinal Van Roey. The new abbey was completed in 1948. On June 5, 1939, the abbey church was consecrated and elevated to Basilica Minor by Pope Pius XII. On September 8, 1948, the abbey church and the completed cloister were solemnly consecrated by Cardinal Micara, who served as Apostolic Nuncio to Belgium from 1923 to 1946 and subsequently became Prefect of the Congregation for Rites.

To finance the major construction projects, which by then had already cost tens of millions of Belgian francs, various fundraising activities were initiated. For example, special postage stamps with a surcharge were issued by the Belgian government. The cheese factory (1931) and the brewery (1932) were established to generate the necessary funds, and laypeople were employed from the outset. After the construction work was completed, these proceeds were used for social and charitable purposes.
(Wikipedia)

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Dirk V 🚲 🚶📷

March 9, 2023

The legend of Orval.
Countess Mathilde, who was a widow, had accidentally dropped her wedding ring into the spring of the valley, she begged God for help and before long a trout surfaced with the precious ring in its mouth. Mathilde then exclaimed, this really is a golden valley! (Orval, val d'or means golden valley) and out of gratitude she decided to found a monastery in this blessed place.

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Elevation 210 m

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Monday 10 November

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Max wind speed: 7.0 km/h

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Location: Florenville, Virton, Wallonie, Wallonia, Belgium

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Orval Abbey

1. Around Florenville - De Gaume Nature Park

2. View of the Abbey's castle – Orval Abbey loop from Florenville

3. View of the Abbey's castle – Orval Abbey loop from Marbehan

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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