L’abbaye Notre-Dame du Val-Dieu (Valley of God) was founded in 1216 by Cistercian monks. I think that it is interesting to mention that this valley was once called ‘Valley of the Devil’ and was renamed by the monks to Valley of God.
The initial 13th-century church was demolished four times and its present appearance in the Neo-Gothic style dates from the end of the 19th century.
The abbey has this unlucky history of consecutive demolitions and reconstructions over the centuries, which is so typical of the history of the clerical buildings in Western Europe in general. But today it is a peaceful place, despite the numerous tourists and pilgrims.
La Grande Hotellerie – the building where the guests are accommodated is a castle-like hotel from the beginning of the 18th century.
At my visit, a photography session of a newly-married couple was carried out in the park, and I and the photographer were waiting for each other taking photographs of the beautiful landscape. But otherwise, there was nothing that could disturb your pleasant calm walk through this ancient domain.
Le Parc is from the 19th century.