Almost 800 years of history

The Abbey of Notre-Dame de Saint Remy of Rochefort, founded in 1230, is located in Belgium in the province of Namur.

© Guy Focant

The monks live according to the Rule of Saint Benedict: “ora et labora”: “pray and work”.

This rule has governed the lives of the monks since the 6th century. Punctuated by the seven daily offices, the monks organise their day as follows: eight hours of sleep, eight hours of work and eight hours of prayer.

The monks lead a life dedicated to prayer, silence and contemplation.

© Guy Focant
© Guy Focant

The Rule of Saint Benedict

The Rule of Saint Benedict also stipulates that they will not be true monks until they live by the work of their hands.

For many centuries, the monks devoted themselves to farming. Economic changes in society have steered monastic work in other directions: namely, making beer.

The brewery provides them with the minimum resources they need to lead a simple life, pursue serious intellectual endeavours, maintain the buildings and help those most in need.

© Guy Focant

International Trappist Association

In 1997, Trappist abbeys around the world, led by those with breweries, joined forces to form the International Trappist Association. This association has defined 3 main rules to qualify for its “Authentic Trappist Product” label:

  • The beer must be produced in the immediate surroundings of the abbey
  • Production is supervised by the monks
  • Profits from production must be used for the needs of the community, solidarity, development projects and charitable work

Only the church is open to the public, and anyone wishing to do so can attend a service in the presence of the monks.

© Guy Focant