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The Porte de Namur – Heritage of the Abbey of Villers-la-Ville The Porte de Namur dates from 1725 and is an impressive remnant of the former abbey of Villers-la-Ville. It was built under Abbot Jacques Hache, the 61st abbot of the abbey, who led it from 1716 to 1734. The gate stands right next to the ruins of the abbey and is located near the tourist information point (Syndicat d’Initiative). It spans the rue de l’Abbaye (national road RN274) and provides access to the Notre-Dame des Affligés chapel and the village of Mellery. On the left, there is a reconstructed terraced vineyard supported by slate retaining walls – a nod to the abbey’s wine-making past. The Namur Gate is built in a classical style, with two tall pilasters supporting a red brick entablature. At the top, a triangular pediment adorns the gate, containing niches, the coat of arms of Abbot Hache and his motto: Fortiter et Suaviter – ‘strong and gentle’.

The mill was built in the 13th century. Part of the building housed the abbey bakery. At the beginning of the 14th century, it delivered more than 2,000 loaves of brown bread every week, intended for the poor who presented themselves at the porter's lodge. Hydraulic wheels operated the millstones for grinding wheat and barley, but also for sawing wood and pressing oil. In the 19th century, the mill-bakery was transformed into a hotel: the Hôtel des Ruines. Victor Hugo stayed there several times.

Villers Abbey was founded in 1146 by the Cistercians. With the presence of slate and rich silt soil, all the conditions were present to found an abbey in this area. The domain surrounding the historical heritage is 30 hectares in size and houses eight gardens with different themes, a historical mill and a monk's pharmacy. Exhibitions, concerts and shows are regularly held on the site. If there is nothing to do, you can still settle down in the bistro to taste the abbey's beer.

In 1648, King Philip IV of Spain gave the city of Halle and the Hallerbos to the Duke of Arenberg as collateral for a loan. When the king was unable to repay his debt in time, the duke acquired two thirds of the forest in 1655, which together amounted to 900 acres (i.e. approximately 1,125 ha). The Sint-Waltrudis chapter of Bergen remained the owner of one third. After a period of joint management, difficulties arose between the two owners. In order to put an end to the endless quarrels, they decided to withdraw from joint ownership, and to that end they had the forest measured in 1779. They placed 24 pyramid-shaped "meerstenen" or boundary posts with the inscription SW ("of Sint-Waltrudis") on one side and AR ("for Arenberg") on the other. Nineteen of these still stand on the original dividing line in the forest. Source: Wikipedia.

Fairly short trail, but with our elderly dog it's ideal. Very pleasant walk

The Porte de Namur is a monumental gate in the classical style. It is a remnant of the abbey walls from 1725, which were built under Abbot Jacques Hache. The walls already show their long history. Who has walked through here?