Daley Family Travels

We went to Belgium with our two little girls in between Christmas and New Years (read more about our days in Brussels and Bruges). We visited a good friend of ours near Brussels who was so nice to show us around everywhere. We decided to drive because of all the necessary baby/toddler items (double stroller, carseats, portable crib, etc.) and the relatively short distance between Paris and Brussels (about 4-5 hours once you factor in a lunch break and stops for children… We’re from the Western United States though so it really wasn’t a bad drive at all for us…. And much prettier!). There is a train that you can take as well that would get you there in half the time, but we decided that for our family, driving would be the best option.

The drive went great for everyone – The girls were fantastic and we got lunch at a little rest stop along the freeway that had a great little kid’s sandwich and a wonderful changing room. We got to our friend’s house in the evening and he took us over to Villers Abbey.

It was so cool just wandering around and seeing what we could come across.

Tickets are 6 euros for adults and 2.50 for children (under age 6 are free!). You can also get an audioguide for an extra 1.50 euro (although I’m not sure what languages they’re offered in).

Villers Abbey was originally built in 1146, but was rebuilt in the 1200’s into what you see ruins of today. At its height, 100 monks and 300 lay brothers lived at the abbey.

The abbey began to decline in the 1500’s and was completely abandoned by 1796 during the French Revolution.

In the Spring and Summer, there are also some very beautiful gardens that would be worth seeing.

Getting some energy out after being in the car for so long.

Isn’t that just so beautiful?

We had a wonderful time walking around the site! It was perfect for pushing Adeline in the stroller (very stroller friendly) and for London to run around.

It was such a neat experience to visit the abbey in ruins. Very different from our visits to other cathedrals in France. I loved seeing the grass growing in the old corridors and vines growing up the walls. It was completely unlike anything else we’ve ever done before.

 

For more information:
http://www.villers.be/fr
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villers_Abbey