Personally one of my favorite places in Belgium: the Villers Abbey. As you may see in the pictures, it’s not a very ‘common abbey’ but it remains half-standing by its ruins. Originally built in the 12th century, the abbey was finally abandoned in 1796. Today, visitors can explore this impressive heritage site in the town of Villers-la-Ville, located between Brussels and Charleroi.
Its history
Villers Abbey was founded in 1146 by a small group of 17 monks. It grew in both size and wealth over the centuries, but the French Revolution led to its downfall. The abbey experienced many architectural styles — from Gothic to Neoclassical — before falling into ruin. As we can all agree, the remains of the abbey, surrounded by nature and rolling hills, create a wonderfully romantic setting. (Victor Hugo certainly thought so too!)
Anyway, enough about the past, let’s jump into the present.
The abbey today
The abbey is easy to reach, both by car (free parking!) and by public transportation (encouraged). Read more here. Tip: take your picnic along and eat it within the walls of the Villers Abbey: picnic places are provided!
| Entrance | Adults pay 10 euros, students and 65+ pay 8 euros |
| Time spent inside | You can spend as long as you wish, usually you’d spend about two hours |
| Opening hours | 1st November – 31st March: 10 am – 5 pm 1st April – 31st October: 10 am – 6 pm |
| Food & Drinks | The establishment offers a bistro at the end of the visit + Picnic allowed |
Dogs are allowed too, as long as you keep them on the leash. 🐶
Hiking around the Abbey
This area offers not only majestic ruins but also beautiful nature. There are many walking routes around Villers Abbey. I tried a 9.5-kilometer hike through the surrounding forest. My friend found the route using the Cirkwi app. It’s not the most user-friendly, but it offers fantastic trails!
Kind reminder: always stay respectful towards nature & heritage sites. Keep your dog on the leash, don’t litter and stay on the path. ✌️
