"Monastery Our lady of Saint-Benedict- Achel" Achel by globetrotter_2006

Achel Travel Guide: 17 reviews and 70 photos

It was my love for beer that brought me back to Belgium to check out the Trappist Monasteries. I was hoping to check out all six of them, but Chimay & Roquefort were left out this time around. Achel was the very first one on our list. I had made plans with Johan to meet here for a beer on Saturday, August 19th.

It was a short drive from Brussels, probably shorter if you know where you are going. With me were my Grandmother, my Aunt, and my friend Harry. We arrive around 1400 hrs. This Monastery is right at the border of Belgium and the Netherlands. Many people simply ride their bikes over the beer to enjoy the afternoon at the Monastery.

There are several entrances, but we entered through the Monastery Souvenir Store entrance. Next to the Store is an Art Collection Store where you can purchase religious paintings & scultures. The Cafeteria is very simple, contrary to my believe. I actually thought it was going to be a restaurant, but you can't get much more there than a ham & cheese sandwitch. It was ok with me, because I really wanted to sit down and enjoy their beer. As you walk into the Cafeteria look to your left and you will see part of the Brewery.

Around 1500 hrs the afternoon prayers take place inside the Monastery, and we had a chance to walk into the Church. The Monastery also has a Food Market where you can buy not only food, but beer from Achel as well as some of the other Trappist Beers. The Market has a great collection of glasses. I would actually say they had the best collection of Trappist Beer Glasses out of all the Monasteries I visited.

Brewery

At the Monastery's Market Store

Last visit to Achel: Aug 2006
Intro Updated Dec 4, 2006
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Reviews (9)

Walk around the outside of the Abbey - Achel

Walk around the outside of the Abbey Things to Do (5)

By walking around the monastery you can get a better feel as to what the daily life is like within the abbey. more travel advice

Inside the Abbey Things to Do (5)

Walk around the inside of the Abbey if you get a chance, it is clean & quiet. It gives you a better idea as to how the... more travel advice

The Abbey's Church Things to Do (5)

The Church is many time the center of the Abbey. Out of the Trappist Churches I was in (Achel, Westvleteren and Orval),... more travel advice

The Abbey's courtyard Things to Do (5)

During mass & prayers there will be someone at the Courtyard Gate that will give you entrance & show you the way to the... more travel advice

Shopping (3)
See All Achel Supermarket

Restaurants (1)
Achel Cafeteria

Comments (3)

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richiecdisc Mar 3, 2007 at 6:29 AM

Finally had their beer on my last trip there but did not make it to the Monastery. Thanks for the images.
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OlafS Oct 25, 2006 at 7:28 AM

Great page! It seems you saw some parts of the abbey normally closed for visitors.
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mtncorg Sep 18, 2006 at 10:38 AM

A true place for pilgrimmage ;-]