The pale stone Benedictine abbey on the hillside opposite Clervaux Castle was founded in 1909 by monks from Solesmes Abbey in France, fleeing the French Third Republic's expulsion of religious orders. Built in a neo-Romanesque style, it still feels new — and the monastic community of about a dozen brothers is still active, following the original Solesmes liturgical tradition with daily sung Gregorian chant.
The abbey church is open to visitors throughout the day; a crypt under the church holds an exhibit on Benedictine monastic life and the history of the community. Attending vespers (around 5pm) or the daily mass is open to all and gives the best sense of the place — the chant in the high stone nave is exceptional.
The monks' shop sells books, religious goods, and ceramics made on site. Walking back down the hill, the view of the castle across the valley is one of the great photographs of northern Luxembourg.