Abbaye de Villers-en-Brabant

Villers-la-Ville

Founded in 1146 by Bernard of Clairvaux himself, Villers is one of the first daughter houses of Clairvaux, and the protection of the dukes of Brabant brought it rapid growth. The 13th century was its heyday. Between the 14th and the 17th centuries, the monks left the place nine times for reasons of insecurity — a figure that says better than anything what monastic life was like in a land of passage. A second golden age in the 18th century, then dispersal at the Revolution and sale as national property.

Getting there : Admission charge

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound