Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Stavelot, Belgium

For over a millennium, this picturesque town in the heart of Haute Ardenne served as the seat of the Princely Abbey of Stavelot-Malmedy.

The abbots of Stavelot wielded influence that extended well beyond the current borders of Belgium, reaching as far as the Loire River, and played a crucial role in shaping Medieval art.

The abbey was disbanded during the French Revolution; however, many of its monastic structures remain intact, along with the remains of an 11th-century Romanesque church, which stands as a captivating archaeological site.

Within the majestic 18th-century outbuildings reside three museums, including one dedicated to the nearby Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, the prominent venue for the Belgian F1 Grand Prix.

1. Abbaye de Stavelot

The Benedictine Stavelot Abbey was established as early as 651, thus making it one of Belgium’s earliest monasteries.

In the 10th century, the abbey became the seat of the ecclesiastical principality, and the abbots adopted the title of Prince of the Empire.

This all came to an abrupt halt at the onset of the 19th century with the French Revolution.

The abbey church, which featured a columned bell tower standing 100 meters tall, was sold and subsequently demolished.

Despite some parts of the complex being in ruins, a significant portion remains, and the abbey houses three museums, as detailed below.

Two courtyards are flanked by an impressive entrance porch from the 16th and 17th century, containing the principality council building, a hospice, an orphanage, a hospital, and a refectory adorned with exquisite stucco decorations.

All of these buildings date from the first half of the 18th century, while their vaults reach back much further in time.

Recently, the foundations of the 11th-century abbey church have been unearthed, allowing clear visibility of the nave, transept, choir, and crypt.

2. Musée de la Principauté de Stavelot-Malmedy

The political, economic, and religious significance of the abbey and principality is vividly illustrated at this museum, located within the corridors of the principality council building.

Visitors can explore over a millennium of history from the 7th to the 18th century, gaining insight into notable abbots through informative displays, multimedia resources, and intricate 3D reconstructions.

The museum showcases a multitude of artifacts, including sarcophagi, ornate fireplace firebacks, engravings, period portraits of abbots, liturgical texts, musical manuscripts, and much more.

3. Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

The site of the Belgian Grand Prix, occurring at the end of August, lies just five minutes from Stavelot, nestled within a wooded valley.

This picturesque location deep in the Ardennes has earned the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps the title of “most beautiful racetrack in the world.” The track’s undulating nature results in iconic segments such as Eau Rouge-Raidillon, where the track descends into a sharp left at the bottom of a valley before ascending rapidly on a long, blind right turn.

This sequence highlights a track tour, available from mid-March to mid-November.

The tour features access to the paddocks for Formula 1 and Spa 24 Hours, along with the podium, commentators’ booths, press areas, and the advanced Race Control Room.

4. Musée du Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

Housed within the ancient vaults of the Abbaye de Stavelot, this museum is dedicated to the illustrious history of the circuit.

Patrons can immerse themselves in a century of the track’s evolution while engaging with informative panels and a treasure trove of memorabilia.

An exhibition displays vehicles significant to various milestones in the circuit’s history, celebrating events such as the Belgian Grand Prix and the Spa 24 Hours, which has been held since 1924. Almost all vehicles are operational, with notable models from Minardi, Lotus, Arrows, Talbot-Lago, alongside Porsche, Ford, BMW 24-hour racers, and a selection of motorcycles.

5. Église Saint-Sébastien

While the church located at the far end of Place du Vinâve may present a modest façade, it houses numerous treasures from the Abbaye de Stavelot, hence it should not be overlooked.

The current Église Saint-Sébastien was established to replace an older structure, and its late-Baroque design dates back to the mid-18th century.

Many elements have been transferred here from the abbey church, including an oak pulpit from the 18th century and a stone baptismal font from the 16th century, while the stations of the cross, dating to 1724, were initially from Église Saint-Marguerite in Liège.

However, the highlight of the church is the abbey’s reliquary shrine of Saint Remaclus, an exquisite example of 13th-century Mosan goldsmithing, measuring two meters and featuring images of Christ and Mary at either end.

Another notable piece includes the 17th-century reliquary bust of Poppo of Stavelot (977-1048), one of the abbey’s most renowned abbots and an early Flemish pilgrim to the Holy Land.

6. RAVeL Ligne 45

Since the mid-19th century, Wallonia has been intersected by numerous railway lines, many of which have since been decommissioned and converted into a regional network of greenways.

RAVeL paths follow former railway beds, providing a convenient means to traverse some of the country’s more challenging yet stunning terrains.

This narrative follows Ligne 45, established between 1867 and 1914, which was completely closed by 2006. The RAVeL route navigates along the Amblève valley, traversing Stavelot on a 20-kilometer path between Trois-Points to the west and Waimes to the east.

Additionally, just west of Stavelot, one can access another greenway, Ligne 44A, which offers impressive views of the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps along its 15-kilometer route.

7. Cascade de Coo

The roar of Belgium’s largest waterfall by volume can be heard from quite a distance.

What makes the Cascade de Coo particularly intriguing is its partially manmade nature; monks from the Abbaye de Stavelot constructed a millrace in the 15th century and altered the course in the 18th century to safeguard the village of Petit-Coo from erosion.

The monks would be pleased to see that the falls continue to generate revenue by powering a hydroelectric plant.

The Cascade de Coo gained popularity among tourists in the 19th century and is now part of an estate featuring a children’s amusement park and an animal park with local wildlife, accessible via a tourist train.

The falls consist of two channels, cascading 15 meters, and visitors can take a chairlift operated by the amusement park Plopsa Coo to a viewing platform.

From this vantage point, one can admire both the waterfall and the scenic Haute Ardenne landscape beyond.

8. Musée de Guillaume Apollinaire

The esteemed French writer and art critic Guillaume Apollinaire (1880-1918) spent the summer of 1899 in Stavelot while his mother, a Polish aristocrat, frequented the Casino de Spa.

This has led to the establishment of the only museum globally dedicated to Apollinaire, also located at the Abbaye de Stavelot.

Apollinaire was a passionate advocate for Cubism, and his play, The Breasts of Tiresias (1917), is considered one of the first surrealist literary works.

In this historic Monastic building, visitors can immerse themselves in the artistic milieu of the author of the renowned Chanson du Mal-Aimé (1913) and perceive his life through the lens of friends and collaborators like Chagall, Picasso, Derain, Gertrude Stein, Jean Cocteau, and Henri Rousseau.

9. Place Saint-Remacle

Stavelot’s enchanting main square features cobblestone paving on a steep slope from west to east.

Place Saint-Remacle exhibits solemn hues of grey, attributed to the slate cladding, natural limestone from Ardennes, and the cobbles.

From the elevated western side, the hills of Haute Ardenne may be glimpsed beyond the buildings, across the Amblève valley.

The architecture surrounding the square dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries, with the central focus being the 18th-century Fontaine du Perron, symbolizing Stavelot’s historical freedoms.

10. Vinâve

On the western side of Place Saint-Remacle, take a moment to explore the oldest inhabited area of Stavelot.

This area is characterized by the cobblestone Place du Vinâve and the narrow Rue de la Fontaine and Ruelle Delbrouck, which are accessible by foot only.

Wandering through these historic alleys, visitors will encounter houses exhibiting Stavelot’s distinctive architectural style, adorned with slate-tiled facades.

One noteworthy sight to seek out is a water fountain originating from 1777, capped with a stone ball finial.

11. Plopsa Coo

Located within walking distance of the Coo Waterfall, this small theme park, operated by Belgian broadcaster Studio 100, caters to children up to ten years old. An amusement park has existed at the base of the falls since the 1950s, with Studio 100 taking over management in 2006. Visitors will find rides tailored for younger audiences, many themed around Studio 100 characters such as Mega Mindy, Kabouter Plop, Wickie de Viking, and Piet Piraat.

Moreover, a variety of other enjoyable attractions features a log flume with three drops, a bobsleigh ride, pedal boats, a carousel, and pedal karts, among others.

12. Stavelot Plage

Just a short distance from Stavelot’s historic center lies a serene locale for relaxation along the Amblève River.

Historically, Stavelot Plage served as a swimming area up until the 1970s; however, swimming is no longer permitted. Visitors can still appreciate the tranquil wooded banks and the views along the Amblève, sheltered by broadleaf trees.

The area features paved surfaces and a newly renovated picnic area equipped with a barbecue grill and chimney at its center.

13. American Half-Track

Cross the Amblève from the town center, and on the left bank, visitors will find a relic from the Second World War.

This is an M3 half-track, positioned in a recently refurbished square that now includes a new fence.

Stavelot was a battleground during the tragic Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944-45, where over 100 civilians and American prisoners of war lost their lives between December 18-20.

A memorial dedicated to the 30th Infantry Division accompanies this vehicle, which is mounted with a machine gun and displayed alongside the flags of Belgium, the United States, and Wallonia.

14. Coo Adventure

Upon observing the stunning scenery along the Amblève at the Cascade de Coo, one may be inspired to seek adventure.

This activity center has been operational in Coo for two decades, providing equipment for a diverse range of adventure sports.

The river is a primary attractor here, with Coo Adventure offering kayaking and rafting excursions along the Amblève, along with an optional shuttle service back to Coo.

The company also organizes climbing expeditions, horseback riding, mountain biking, paintball, high ropes courses, caving, and numerous additional activities.

15. Laetare de Stavelot

On the fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday), Stavelot presents one of Wallonia’s most vibrant traditional festivals, a remarkable claim given the region’s reputation for its carnivals.

The celebrations commence on the Saturday evening with an enchanting illuminated procession.

The following Sunday features a grand parade with 2,500 participants, showcasing whimsical floats, colorful costumes, and bands playing lively music.

This leads to the arrival of the 400 Blancs Moussis, attired in white cloaks, wearing masks with elongated red noses, distributing confetti throughout the crowd.

Ultimately, the Blancs Moussis engage in a Farindole (traditional chain dance) around the fountain on Place de Saint-Remacle, posting humorous posters around the historic town, poking fun at notable residents.

The tradition of the Blancs Moussis traces back to the early 16th century when the abbot forbade the abbey monks from participating in public celebrations. To mock this ruling, townspeople disguised themselves as monks, but after facing repercussions, they simplified the costumes to resemble white monastic attire instead.