Villers Abbey

I have heard about this place for a while, but being there in person blew me away. This is for sure one of my favourite spots in Belgium. And the snow made it even better. We visited on a Friday in January and we pretty much had this place for ourselves. A stunning location that is 100% worth of visit!

Definitely a must visit from Brussels, especially if you're into history and nature! It's around an hour and a half to get there by public transport, but it's worth the trip. You can easily spend 3 hours going around the grounds and taking in the ruined buildings. We went during winter time in February, so it was a bit chilly and wet outside.

I spent 5 days in Belgium, visiting Leuven, Brussels, and Ghent. While I enjoyed exploring those cities, this place stood out as the most beautiful and amazing of them all. The nature and culture here are absolutely wonderful, creating a perfect harmony that makes it so unique. The atmosphere, charm, and overall experience were unmatched. I absolutely loved my time here and had such an enjoyable experience. It’s truly a must-visit spot for anyone traveling to Belgium!

We made a last minute decision to stop here and we are so glad we did! It was really beautiful and a very interesting place to visit. Parking was free, we parked near a restaurant and walked in to the entrance to the abbey. There is a nice little gift shop on site. We went later in the day so there were not many people and we could get photos with no other people in them. The abbey takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to walk though. Well worth a stop.

We visited the Abbey November 6, there were hardly any visitors compared to our visit in the summer. Of course the weather was colder and overcast, but that in itself had it's charm. Walking through the ruins and imagining life back then. We had all the time and were able to take wonderful pictures. An absolute must to see.

Villers Abbey, a Haunting Masterpiece of Gothic Architecture The Abbey of Villers is an ancient Cistercian monastery located in the municipality of Villers-la-Ville, in the province of Walloon Brabant. It is located 40km south of Brussels. This abbey was founded in 1146 by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. It was abandoned in 1796 as a result of the French Revolution. The abbey was once home to over 500 monks and covered an area of over 10,000 hectares. It was one of the most important Cistercian monasteries in Europe and played a major role in the development of Western civilization. The ruins of Villers Abbey are a reminder of the power and influence of the Catholic Church in Europe. They are also a testament to the skill and artistry of the Gothic architects who built the abbey. The ruins are now a popular tourist destination and a reminder of Belgium's rich history and attract more than 100,000 visitors each year. The site has been listed as a "Major Walloon Heritage" site since 1993 and is managed by Wallonia's Agency for Heritage. Things to do: * Take a guided tour to learn about the history of the abbey and the life of the monks * Visit the Saint Bernard Museum to see artifacts from the abbey's past * Explore the ruins and imagine what life was like in the abbey in its heyday * Have a picnic lunch and explore the grounds at your own pace Overall, the Abbey of Villers is a must-see destination for anyone interested in history, architecture, or religion. The abbey is open to the public from April 1st to November 15th. Admission is 8€ for adults and 4€ for children. How to get there: The Abbey of Villers is located about 40km south of Brussels. It can be reached by car or by train. There is a train station in the town of Villers-la-Ville, which is a short walk from the abbey.

Voici une version mise à jour de votre avis : A fascinating place, rich in history and beauty. The majestic ruins, surrounded by nature, create a unique and peaceful atmosphere. Perfect for a stroll or to admire the architecture and play of light. A must-visit! Plus, dogs are allowed! Fun fact: this location has inspired and been featured in films by renowned directors such as Ado Kyrou, Harry Kümel, Gérard Corbiau, and Christophe Gans (Le Pacte Des Loups), Cosmotropia De Xam among others.

Gorgeous place to visit. Absolutely phenomenal. It’s so impressive to see such tokens of history. The place is not too expensive and the space is yours to visit as you wish. You can choose to seek i information on many different j formation plaques or simply walk around and take in the view. I highly recommend!