Stavelot Abbey: a fantastic cultural site

The Stavelot Abbey, a Benedictine abbey funded in 651, is a fascinating historical site with quite a modern touch: an abseiling experience from the top of the abbey tower.

Built in the province of Liège, the abbey features 3 amazing museums, each taking you on amazing cultural journeys.

An exceptional site

Stavelot Abbey has always been a lively place: monks in the 8th century, revolutionaries, master tanners, municipal administration, museums... Not once has it been empty n 14 centuries. The building itself is listed as an exceptional cultural heritage of Wallonia.

Amazing museums

The restored religious buildings regroup three large museums where temporary exhibitions are organised. One of them, the Historical museum of the principality of Stavelot-Malmedy offers in the renovated 18th century cloisters, a timeline through more than 1,000 years of history. The list of Abbots is reproduced on the floor of the central hall, whilst extracts from the Rule of Saint Benedict in Latin are etched on the windows. The rooms each address a specific theme which the princely abbey was controlling then: its monastic and religious life and its economic and political organisation.

2 other museums have found home in the abbey:

• the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack museum (dedicated to the most beautiful F1 track in the world)
• the Guillaume Apollinaire museum (presenting the work of one of the outstanding French poets of the beginning of the XXth century).

The experience also includes temporary exhibitions, archaeological remains of the abbey's church, dating back to the XIth century, a museum shop and a tavern.

Families

• Activity leaflets
• Video screens presenting 3D reconstructions, little details
• Each museum has its little secret: a stunning 18th century room, a reconstructed skeleton of an abbot, free PS4 to entertain the little ones, a scale model of the Spa Francorchamps racetracks...
• Temporary exhibitions all include objects that can be touched and information for all ages

Practical information

• Your ticket gives you access to all 3 museums and temporary exhibitions.
• Free access to the archaeological site
• Guided tours can be organised for groups and individuals but pre-booking is required.