Attractions and Places To See around Les Deux-Villes - Top 20

very good route, pleasant, beautiful place

The current castle is very recent. It was built in 1960 at the request of the owners, the Otreppe de Bouvette family, based on plans by architect Emile Godin. The previous castle was severely damaged in both world wars and fell into disrepair.

Over a period of 22 years, from 1926 to 1948, a completely new abbey was built based on a design by architect Henri Vaes. This was primarily the work of Ghent native Albert-Marie Van der Cruyssen, who became the first abbot in 1936. On August 20, 1929, the foundation stone was laid in the presence of Prince Leopold and Cardinal Van Roey. The new abbey was completed in 1948. On June 5, 1939, the abbey church was consecrated and elevated to Basilica Minor by Pope Pius XII. On September 8, 1948, the abbey church and the completed cloister were solemnly consecrated by Cardinal Micara, who served as Apostolic Nuncio to Belgium from 1923 to 1946 and subsequently became Prefect of the Congregation for Rites. To finance the major construction projects, which by then had already cost tens of millions of Belgian francs, various fundraising activities were initiated. For example, special postage stamps with a surcharge were issued by the Belgian government. The cheese factory (1931) and the brewery (1932) were established to generate the necessary funds, and laypeople were employed from the outset. After the construction work was completed, these proceeds were used for social and charitable purposes. (Wikipedia)

Magnificent estate of 1721 hectares Located north of Lacuisine and west of Chiny, it belongs to the CPAS of the city of Mons, which inherited it in 1887. This sublime estate includes 1,500 hectares of forests and four artificial ponds fed by several streams, including the Tamij-Austria, a tributary of the Semois. The ponds of the Epioux are the last witnesses of the important metallurgical past of our region. Indeed, for more than three centuries, the estate experienced intense metallurgical activity. Since the end of this industrial activity, the only profitable economic activity has been that of forest production. Today, the large forest of the Epioux is a magnificent forest. Several beautiful walks cross the estate.

Magnificent estate of 1721 hectares Located north of Lacuisine and west of Chiny, it belongs to the CPAS of the city of Mons, which inherited it in 1887. This sublime estate includes 1,500 hectares of forests and four artificial ponds fed by several streams, including the Tamij-Austria, a tributary of the Semois. The ponds of the Epioux are the last witnesses of the important metallurgical past of our region. Indeed, for more than three centuries, the estate experienced intense metallurgical activity. Since the end of this industrial activity, the only profitable economic activity has been that of forest production. Today, the large forest of the Epioux is a magnificent forest. Several beautiful walks cross the estate.

A visit to the abbey is worthwhile. You should allow yourself about an hour and a half. Not far away there is a brasserie where you can try the cheese and beer.

Orval Abbey is a monastery of the Trappist Order (Cistercians of the Strict Observance) located in the municipality of Florenville in southern Belgium, near the French border. The name derives from the Basque ar(an) and French val (both meaning valley). The folk etymological interpretation of the French or (as golden valley) gave rise to a legend according to which a Countess Matilda (in some versions Matilda of Tuscany) lost her golden ring in the valley, which was then returned to her by a fish. She founded the monastery in gratitude. The Matilda Fountain can be visited in the ruins of the old monastery. (Wikipedia) Orval is a Trappist beer that has been brewed since 1932 in the Cistercian Abbey of Notre-Dame d'Orval in the Belgian province of Luxembourg. The bottle label and beer mat depict a trout with a golden ring in its mouth, illustrating the legend of the abbey's founding.

It's worth taking a short stop to try the abbey beer.