Discover Villers-Devant-Orval

Villers-Devant-Orval combines border history, monastic heritage and walking trails to create a destination with an unusual number of historical points of interest. The La Marche watercourse marks the Belgian-French border here. Anyone looking for a combination of culture and activity during their holiday can combine small-scale discoveries in the village with longer day-trip plans in Villers-Devant-Orval.

Historic sites in the village

Notable features include old farmhouses dating from the 18th century, the ruins of a 6th-century castle and a 17th-century manor house classified as a historic monument. The Church of St Gengoul also tells part of the village’s development: the parish rebuilt it between 1853 and 1855. This historical picture is complemented by the former forges of Villers-Devant-Orval. They are regarded as an important testimony to Gaume’s industrial and monastic heritage and should therefore be understood as part of the village’s earlier history.

A small but distinctive feature of the village is the fresco by illustrator Jean-Claude Servais. Since 2015, it has adorned the gable next to the Fontaine Mathilde. This fountain is associated with the legend that Matilda of Tuscany vowed to establish a monastery at this site. The origins of Villers-Devant-Orval date back to Roman times; remains and valuable discoveries from the Frankish period and the Middle Ages have also been documented.

Orval between monastic history and sightseeing

Orval offers several specific points of interest for a culture-focused day out. The first monks settled there in 1070. On 9 March 1131, seven Cistercian monks led by Constantin arrived in Orval. The Musée d'Orval sightseeing tour is spread across four locations: Maison des hôtes, Ancienne Pharmacie, Communs Abraham and Caves Dewez. Guided tours of Orval Abbey last 1 hour and 30 minutes.

The history of plants is also part of the site. The medicinal plant garden in Orval dates back to 1774. A garden of simple medicinal plants has also been recreated in front of the reconstructed medieval guest wing. Anyone who enjoys combining regional experiences with a culinary break can sample “Gengoulf” beer at Brasserie Gengoulf in Villers-Devant-Orval.

Walking trails for different travel plans

Villers-Devant-Orval is also a starting point for walks: numerous trails begin here and lead to Auflance, Saint-Walfroy, Margny and Avioth. This creates various options for planning a day out, without every route having to offer the same kind of experience. In the Prés d'Orval nature reserve, the circular trail includes a section certified Access I for people with reduced mobility. For longer hiking plans, the Sentier GR des trappistes de Wallonie also offers a 116-kilometre section between Rochefort and Orval.

Choosing the right starting point

When looking for a holiday apartment in Villers-Devant-Orval, it is worth deciding first what kind of travel rhythm you want. A culture-focused stay can centre on the historic buildings, the village’s history and the Musée d'Orval tour. Anyone who prefers to combine different walking trails can base their plans more around the routes to Auflance, Saint-Walfroy, Margny or Avioth. For a travel group with different interests, these highlights can be deliberately alternated: historical discoveries, a guided visit to Orval, a walk or a taste of the region at Brasserie Gengoulf.

For geographical orientation, Orval is 8 kilometres from Florenville in the direction of Virton. This information helps put accommodation searches and day-trip planning for the region into perspective. If you would like to compare other places for your trip, you can also view Sainte-Cécile, Muno, Chassepierre and Lacuisine.

For the main travel overview: Florenville.