Around Villers-la-Ville and the Abbey

A circular walk that brings nature in the immediate vicinity of the abbey into focus. In addition to the abbey (which can be visited), you’ll get a view of the castle "Le Châtelet," a rare fortification from the 11th century. You can park your car at the café "Châlet de la Forêt." Opposite the café, you’ll see an unpaved path leading into the forest, the drève des Quatre Chênes. An ascending hollow way that partially follows the wall of the abbey grounds. You’ll pass the access facility and the gate structure of the abbey courtyard. The path takes you to the Bois de Bachet. You will pass an arboretum and some chapels (2). At the edge of the forest, you will encounter a third chapel, a Niskapelle. The plateau path that you come to now gives you an unobstructed view over the region. Via a field path and along a beautiful slope, you reach the valley of the Thyle. The path leads over and slightly left to the bridge, to find quieter places again. If you want to visit the castle "Le Châtelet," you must briefly follow the ascending path to the left at the next intersection. The castle is privately owned and cannot be visited! On the return journey, you’ll walk over the ascending hollow way over limestone (do not follow the bank of the stream!). Then you descend into the village of Villers-la-Ville. Through the courtyard Ferme de Franquenouille, you reach the road. A short stretch of paved road takes you past the Hollers water mill. Immediately after the mill of the canalized Thyle (left), follow to the parking area (resting place with benches). Go over the church to Place des Combattants, cross the street to the right and a little further left over the railway line. Following the path, you cross the small square. Back on the paved Rue de Mellery. Follow until you see a pretty white corner house with blue shutters (dentist). Here you turn left up the Boulevard Neuf. Follow until the second curve, then continue straight onto Chemin Notre Dame. Follow to the chapel Notre Dame des Affligés, a pilgrimage chapel from 1773. If you go left here, you’ll pass the abbey of Villers-la-Ville, through the narrow Brussels gate and soon back to the car. For the complete hike, cross the road and go into an unpaved forest path. At the next six-branch intersection, go straight ahead. Do not pay attention to the GR signage, but follow the small stream to the former abbey ponds and the water mill of Chevelipont. Keep left, cross the street, and go around the lonely house to then hike up the ascending forest path. Where this leaves the forest, follow the houses to a small chapel. Here, follow the footpath back into the valley. After 400 m, you have a turnoff to the left; a hiking path with a yellow triangle and the GR colors will take you back to the abbey through the other valley.