Abbaye d'Orval
Abbaye d'Orval
4.5
Historic SitesArchitectural BuildingsReligious SitesChurches & Cathedrals
Full view
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
4 within 5 kms
Attractions
9 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
410 reviews
Excellent
220
Very good
152
Average
29
Poor
6
Terrible
3
Mariamellen
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg15 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
It was the second time I was there. I was so impressive, the Abbey is beautiful and you can breath peace. I love Orval's beer. I think the tickets for the visit are so expensive, you can see the ruines and the abbey but I would like can see more and the beer factory.
Written 27 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fabcats39
Maastricht, The Netherlands116 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
This abbey is so impressive, very large and beautifully kept up. A bit too manicured to my taste, I like old buildings a bit more rugged. You can only visit part of the abbey the other part is not open to the public; this mean you can visit the museum and the ruins of the old abbey after it was destroyed during the French Revolution. I really wish I had more time to hang around the garden and sit on a bench to take it all in.
The only things I regret is not able to experience the bier and the cheese inside the abbey. They have so much space and I do not understand why they do not have an authentic experience. In order to taste the regional products you have to go the the restaurant down the street which is just Blahhhhhh!!!!! Nothing special... not like in Val Dieu where you can sit in the courtyard of the abbey and enjoy both food, drinks and view. The bonus is that you can buy a case of the elixir at a very reasonable price:)
The only things I regret is not able to experience the bier and the cheese inside the abbey. They have so much space and I do not understand why they do not have an authentic experience. In order to taste the regional products you have to go the the restaurant down the street which is just Blahhhhhh!!!!! Nothing special... not like in Val Dieu where you can sit in the courtyard of the abbey and enjoy both food, drinks and view. The bonus is that you can buy a case of the elixir at a very reasonable price:)
Written 2 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
emmbrook
Northamptonshire, UK271 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
We went here to get some beer, let's be honest. But this is a beautiful place to visit in its own right with an attractive monastery to see with options to visit part of it. Set in a wooded area of the Ardennes the drive here is also very pleasant along narrow lanes - or it was the way we came anyway!
Various other items also available at the shop. Although there seemed to be quite a few cars parked outside it felt pretty quiet - apt for a Trappist monastery.
Various other items also available at the shop. Although there seemed to be quite a few cars parked outside it felt pretty quiet - apt for a Trappist monastery.
Written 2 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paologA9612NE
Mons, Belgium50 contributions
Apr 2017
It has been a lovely day spent with the family and, when I say family, I do include our dog, Charlie. Unfortunately dogs are not allowed, I can understand the Church, the store, but what about the open space within the property? We couldn't leave the dog in the car because of the very high temperature therefore I had to leave my wife outside, going to the store alone, buy beer and cheese and go for lunch without visiting the Abbey. We had lunch at the Brasserie, not the one close to the Abbey but the one at the road interception, good food, fast service, nice hospitality ( no complains for the dog), good Price. Do not go to the Abbey with your dog especially in summer.
Written 9 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bevorb85
Austin, TX17 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
A must see in this little town of Belgium. Learn how the trappist monks made beer over the ages and walk among the ruins of the Cistercian monastery founded in 1132. There is a legend of the abbey's foundation, supposedly explaining the name '"Orval" and the coat of arms of a trout and ring. The widowed Mathilda of Tuscany lost her wedding ring in a spring while visiting, and prayed for its return. As she prayed, a trout appeared on the surface of the water with the ring in its mouth. She declared, "Truly this place is a Val d'Or (Golden Valley)," and thus the name "Orval," and as a way of saying thanks made paid for the foundation of the monastery. The spring still supplies water to the monastery and its brewery. Wonderful place!!
Written 29 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cordelia Flyte
Wisconsin45 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
My husband & I stopped in Orval en route from Bastogne BE to Compiegne FR. The ruins and museum are wonderfully done. We were too early in the day to enjoy a beer but we had some elsewhere
Written 4 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ManonBusyB
Vlaardingen, The Netherlands42 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
The abbey is serene, the surroundings beautiful and it feels special to be there and visit. In the cellar of the new abbey is an exhibition of the history of Orval.
Written 28 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron W
Fredericksburg, TX254 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
I think I have been here 6-8 times over the past 20 years. When I arrived, I noticed an update in the room where I bought our senior admission tickets. I noticed that the restrooms were now modern--they even have heat. Two years ago that was not the case. We started our walk tough the Abbaye in beautiful sunlight. I was struck by the small but helpful ways the Abbaye is improved. I thought about pictures of when people used to take "The Grand Tour" and walk through ruins. You can do that safely here. There are explanations of what you are seeing in at least 3 languages. There is a structure early on that gives great information in 3-4 languages regarding the making of their wonderful beer. There is a small apothecary shop display. In one part of the Abbaye is a great display of artifacts from earlier times of the Abbaye. It is nice in another way--it is heated and that really feels good on a cold day. They have a wonderful gift shop. I think you can spend an easy 2-3 hours here if you stop and read and take it all in.
Written 15 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paul s
Brussels, Belgium503 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
The abbey is in the middle of a forest, was destroyed 200 years ago and rebuilt again next to the original location. The old site is kept as historic heritage, some of the buildings have been restored to host a museum, others are left derelict but can be visited. The new abbey is normally closed for tourists but host one of the few Trapist breweries. Even if you do not visit the museum area, you can access to the shop and buy the locally produced cheese and beer. The beer has only limited distribution in commercial shops and keeps several years when the bottle is stored in a cool dark place.
Written 7 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
georgesW7839VG
Sofia, Bulgaria54 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
We visited the site last Saturday. The weather was rainy and gloomy - which was the perfect condition for immersing yourself in the Medieval atmosphere. The place is unique both for sentimental and historical reasons. The exhibition is excellent, but so is the brewery!
Written 14 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing