The Saint Sixtus Abbey is located in a quiet region of northwestern Belgium, near the French border. The Trappist order, under the Rule of Saint Benedict, and the remoteness of Westvleteren are a perfect fit because the monks’ unwavering dedication to a life of solitary prayer, study, and work. Westvleteren provides the peace and solitude this lifestyle demands, so much that, as the abbot told me, "If you've come to the end of the world, the abbey is still a quarter of an hour away!" Despite being ‘off the beaten track’, Saint Sixtus Abbey has become a prime destination for abbey-goers in the world, with a focus on its famous Trappist beers. The abbey and brewery are off-limits to visitors, and day-time visits are restricted to the nearby visitor center, In de Vrede (In Peace).
The center contains an information room, Claustrum (open from 2 - 5 pm), where you can find information about the abbey’s history and the daily life of the monks. In the spacious cafe area, one can try the abbey’s famous Trappist beer.
The abbey was extensively renovated between 2009 and 2012, during which the monks lived temporarily in the guesthouse. The architects designed the new abbey to be austere in style and environmentally friendly in function. The renovation was partly funded with extra sales of the abbey’s beer, which added greatly to its renown.
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