History
Legend of Orval
Countess Matilde of Tuscany with the Orval trout at her feet. This stain-glass by Jean Huet (1903-1976) 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.
