History

Legend of Orval

Countess Matilde of Tuscany with the Orval trout at her feet


Stain-glass by Jean Huet

This stain-glass is evocative of the legend of Orval foundation. The monastery was born of an act of gratitude : Matilde was a widow and her weddin-gring had accidentally fallen into the fountain. She prayed to the Lord and at once a trout rose to the surface with the precious ring in its mouth. Matilde exclaimed : "Truly this place is a Val d'Or! " In gratitude, she decided to establish a monastery on the site.