Priory of Beaufays

Priory of Beaufays is a former monastery located in the village of Beaufays, part of the municipality of Chaudfontaine in the province of Liège, Belgium. The site consists of a group of buildings surrounded by moats and arranged around several courtyards — a convent courtyard and a farmyard — standing as a witness to nearly nine centuries of local history.

Where does the priory's story begin?

The site's history goes back to 1120, when a monk named Robert built an oratory in a place known as Belle-Fontaine. Three years later he was granted a piece of land by Henri, Bishop of Verdun, allowing the foundation to expand. In 1134 the grant was confirmed by Bishop Alberon, and the foundation was formally raised to the rank of priory, with its superior appointed by the Bishop of Verdun and blessed by the Bishop of Liège.

How did the village of Beaufays get its name?

The name of the surrounding village is directly tied to the priory's history. In 1215, Robert, Bishop of Verdun, granted Prior Renier a forest known as Bellum Fagetum — a Latin name meaning roughly "beautiful beech forest." The village that grew up near the priory took its name from this forest, eventually becoming known as Beaufays. A document from 1229 confirms that the community followed the Rule of Saint Augustine.

Who held authority over the priory over the centuries?

The priory's fortunes were closely tied to the political history of the region. In 1226, Bishop Robert ceded Jupille, including Beaufays, to the Chapter of St Lambert's Cathedral in Liège, though the actual transfer of authority only got underway in 1297. From that year until the French Revolution, Beaufays belonged to the Prince-Bishopric of Liège, with the Prince-Bishop of Liège as its overlord.

What happened to the priory buildings?

The building complex, dating back to 1123, comprises structures enclosed by moats and arranged around a convent courtyard and a farmyard. The church that stands on the site today was built in 1701 to plans by G. Cramion, a friar of the Order of the Minims, founded by St Francis of Paola. The building has been rebuilt more than once — after damage sustained during the Second World War, and again after 1983, following an earthquake centred near Liège.

The priory's life as a religious institution came to an end at the close of the 18th century. In 1798, during the French Revolution, the property was confiscated by the Republican authorities. It subsequently passed through a succession of owners until it came into the hands of the Laloux family in 1890.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors tour the Priory of Beaufays today? The buildings are now privately owned, but the historic layout of courtyards and surrounding moats remains visible from the outside, and the complex is listed among the protected heritage sites of the municipality of Chaudfontaine.

Where does the name Beaufays come from? It derives from the forest of Bellum Fagetum, granted to Prior Renier in 1215 — a Latin name for a beech forest, around which the village later grew.

Which religious order built the church on the priory grounds? The 1701 church was designed by G. Cramion, a friar belonging to the Order of the Minims, founded by St Francis of Paola.