Belgium is home to hundreds of active and historic abbeys, and many of them are open to the public today through a visitor centre, a museum or a brewery shop. For wheelchair users, the important distinction is not which abbey but which parts of it are accessible -- the active Cistercian and Trappist abbeys are often closed to the public (only the shop is open), while heritage sites such as Villers-la-Ville or Stavelot offer a fully step-free visitor route.
Below is a guide to a dozen abbeys -- from the famous Trappist beers to the quiet Premonstratensian estates -- with an honest assessment of each location.
The active Trappist abbeys
Westmalle
The abbey itself is not open to the public -- it is an active Trappist Cistercian community. However, the Cafe Trappisten Westmalle across the road is a step-free alternative with the full Westmalle beer menu and an accessible toilet.
Westvleteren
The Saint Sixtus Abbey is the Trappist pilgrimage site for beer lovers (Westvleteren 12 is regularly listed in the world's top 10 beers). The abbey itself is closed; the visitor centre 'In de Vrede' opposite the abbey is wheelchair accessible.
Abbey of Orval
One of the most striking places in the Belgian Ardennes. Here you can visit a large part of the abbey: the old ruins and the modern abbey side by side. Hard-surfaced paths, a museum, a brewery shop. Some far corners have gravel paths.
Rochefort Brewery
Part of the Saint-Remy Abbey. The brewery itself is closed to the public, but the visitor shop and surroundings are step-free.
The heritage sites
Villers
The largest Cistercian abbey ruins in Belgium, in Villers-la-Ville. Following a major redevelopment they are now almost entirely wheelchair accessible, with an adapted visitor route. For wheelchair users, this is arguably the best abbey experience in Belgium.
Stavelot
Three museums in one abbey complex: Apollinaire, the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit and the abbey's own history. Fully step-free after renovation -- all floors reachable by lift.
Park (Heverlee/Leuven)
A Norbertine abbey with the PARCUM museum. Lift, wide corridors, accessible toilet. The 2 km pond loop is hard-surfaced.
Aulne
Cistercian ruins with the still-active Brasserie de l'Abbaye d'Aulne on site. Partially wheelchair accessible, with gravel paths in the ruined sections.
Premonstratensians and Benedictines
Tongerlo
Famous for the Da Vinci copy of The Last Supper. Lift, wide corridors, accessible toilet. One of the most accessible "active" abbeys.
Postel (Mol)
Premonstratensian, with a cheese shop and abbey beer. The main grounds are hard-surfaced, with the church reached via a side entrance. The tower is not accessible.
Maredsous
Benedictine, famous for its cheese and beer (both made in-house). The visitor centre and cafeteria are step-free.
Floreffe
Premonstratensian, still active. The Floreffe brewery beer is brewed elsewhere, but the name stays here. The tour is partially step-free.
Practical tips for your abbey visit
- Visit in the morning: most abbeys are quieter before noon. At Orval this is essential -- the afternoon gets busy.
- Combine with beer: for beer lovers, pairing Westmalle and Westvleteren in a single day is feasible (one in West Flanders, one in the Antwerp Kempen -- an east-west tour).
- Make a proper trip of it: the Ardennes abbeys Orval-Stavelot-Villers deserve a two-day visit.
- Don't forget your Belgian Railways assistance if you are taking the train -- Postel and Westvleteren are difficult to reach by public transport, but most others are within 30 minutes of a station.
In closing
Belgian abbeys are a fascinating mix: active communities, historic ruins, breweries and churches. For wheelchair users, it is important to know in advance which parts are accessible -- some abbeys themselves are closed, while the visitor centre or shop next door is step-free.
Visiting an abbey not listed here? Let us know and we will add it to this guide.