2 Best Sights in Stavelot, The Meuse and the Ardennes

Only a Romanesque tower remains of the original buildings that formed the Ancienne Abbaye (Old Abbey). The grand rose-color building that stands on the site today dates from the 18th century, and it is now home to three museums and the local tourist office. The Musée du Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is dedicated to race cars and the nearby racetrack. Monoplace and Brigatti cars are on display, and one of several films on racing draws you into a virtual ride on the track. The high-tech Musée Historique de la Principauté de Stavelot-Malmedy displays archaeological remains and religious objects found in and around the region. The Musée Guillaume Apollinaire is devoted to the life and work of the French poet and essayist, who spent time here during his youth. Some of his original manuscripts are on display.

Stavelot’s main square is named for St. Remacle, who founded a local abbey in 647. His reliquary, now in the Eglise St-Sébastien, is one of the wonders of Art Mosan. Dating from the 13th century, it is 6½ feet long and decorated with statuettes, of the apostles on the sides and of Christ and the Virgin on the ends.