Saint Remy Abbey

Description

The Cistercian abbey of Saint-Remy was founded in 1230 by the Lord of Rochefort, Gilles de Walcourt, and his wife Héluit de Faing, both fervent defenders of the church. The only monastery to have settled in the Famenne area, it was first occupied by nuns from Citeaux (France). In 1464, because of the extremely difficult soil conditions and the very harsh climate, the nuns were replaced by Cistercian monks from Félipré near Givet (France). In 1650, the abbey was destroyed and pillaged by the Lorraine troops in the service of Austria. Soon afterwards, the monks rebuilt the monastery; the turret near the main portal dates from that period. The restored church and monastery buildings were torn down during the French Revolution and, in 1797, the abbey’s possessions were confiscated. A century later the Cistercian monks repossessed the building which was subsequently elevated to the status of abbey in 1925.
The archives mention a brewing activity as early as 1595. Yesteryear, barley and hops were grown locally. The Rochefort (6, 8 and 10°) is the strongest of all 11 Trappist beers. Its specificity is, resides mainly in the quality of the abbey's spring water (the Tridaine spring) and the special yeast, cultivated within the monastery.
The abbey is not open to the public, but you can enjoy the Rochefort Trappist all over town!