Discover Villers-La-Ville: Abbey, Trails and Wine

Villers-la-Ville combines an impressive monastic history with trails through a varied landscape and special culinary experiences. The focal point is Villers Abbey. Those looking for a holiday apartment for their stay can consider the town as a starting point for culture, walks and regional discoveries, while choosing their preferred travel rhythm between active hours and more leisurely sightseeing.

The Abbey as a Cultural Centre

The history of the abbey grounds dates back to 1146. At that time, monks from Clairvaux Abbey settled there through the mediation of Saint Bernard. Construction of the abbey church began in 1197, initially in the Romanesque style and later in the Gothic style; it was completed around 1267. The large cloister was built in the 13th century. This chronology makes a visit a journey through several stages in the development of medieval monastic architecture.

The dimensions of the abbey church also shape the impression on site: it is 94 metres long, 23 metres high and 40 metres wide. For families and other travellers who want to experience culture through more than just texts, the abbey offers a multimedia guide with an interactive map, reconstructions, podcasts, texts and 3D videos. In the Jardin des Senteurs, a meditation trail with eight panels complements the historical tour with a quieter, more introspective experience.

Walks with Different Focal Points

Two walks of different lengths are available around Villers-la-Ville. Promenade 1, “Autour de l’Abbaye”, is 2.5 km long. Promenade 2, “Villers, par monts et par vaux”, covers 6.75 km. Those who want to incorporate a shorter walk into their day can plan the first route; those who want to allow more time for the landscape will find a different distance option in the longer route.

Important for planning your day: Promenade 2 is not accessible to pushchairs or people with reduced mobility. This information expressly concerns this route. When choosing accommodation and putting together excursions, it is therefore worth considering your own mobility needs and preferred walking distance in advance, without treating the two promenades as equivalent.

Wine, Beer and Regional Experiences

Villers-la-Ville also has a pronounced culinary side. The Confrérie du Vignoble de l’abbaye de Villers-en-Brabant offers guided tours of the vineyard and wine cellar throughout the year, followed by a tasting. The tours are available in French, Dutch, English and German. This allows you to add a culinary encounter to a day of culture.

At the abbey’s microbrewery, public openings take place from March to December on every second Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.; visits by appointment are also possible. Beers brewed on site can be tasted. This fixed schedule is particularly interesting for your travel planning if you would like to coordinate your stay with a specific weekend.

Landscape and Getting There

Villers-la-Ville lies on the border with Walloon Brabant, with fields on one side and forests on the other. The Thyle and Gentissart rivers have carved their way through the landscape, which is characterised by silt and bluish-grey shale. This combination of open areas, woodland and geological features gives the walks their own character and complements a visit to the abbey with opportunities to observe nature.

Even without planning to travel exclusively by car, documented travel options are available: the abbey is 2 km from Villers-la-Ville railway station on line 140 between Ottignies and Charleroi. TEC bus route 51 connects Louvain-la-Neuve with Villers-la-Ville from Monday to Saturday. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether proximity to cultural experiences, opportunities for walks or good integration into your travel arrangements matters most to you.

More Destinations for Your Search

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Villers-La-Ville, you can find more destinations here: Linden, Tielt-Winge, Boortmeerbeek, Oud-Heverlee, Sint-Genesius-Rode, Grez-Doiceau, Tubize and Zemst.

For the higher-level travel overview: Brabant.