The Abbey of Villers-Bettnach, old(former) cistercienne abbey based(established) during 1130s, was one of the most powerful and rich abbeys of Lorraine. However, since French Revolution, the Abbey began little by little to decline and to disappear. Today, the Abbey is for its most part in ruins but there remains(subsists) another small chapel, portal(gate) and stone walls manifesting the solidity of the begun(undertaken) work of centuries ago by the monks.
This still present and historical heritage would not be it without the work of volunteers as the Association of the Friends of the Sites of Saint-Hubert and the owners of the site. Every year, the pupils of the School Arts and crafts ParisTech - engineers' non-specialised school - based in Metz organise a weekend in the Abbey where they participate in the renovation of places. This voluntary action(share) placed under the sign of collective work allows of course to restore brightness in the Abbey but also to weld the pupils within a promotion(class) which they will train(form) throughout their life.
This weekend is, this year still, organised during Heritage Days and we invite you therefore to come visit the Abbey to learn first of all History(Story) but also to give an account to you of accomplished maintenance work and renovation during this weekend!
Guided tours will be organised by the pupils of engineers' school around the different parts(parties) of the Abbey, in a place chosen by the monks for its calmness: in the crossing of a small river and of an of Lorraine forest. Also(So), plan(provide for) adapted walkers!