Memorial Notre-Dame d'Orval Abbey

Legend has it that the widowed Countess Mathilde of Tuscany accidentally dropped her wedding ring into the spring of the valley. She begged God for help and before long a trout surfaced with the precious ring in its mouth.
Mathilde then exclaimed "This really is a golden valley!" (Orval, "val d'or") and out of gratitude she decided to found a monastery in this blessed place.

This Mathilde spring has been preserved in the ruins of the old abbey of Orval.
On the wall is a drawing of the story in which a memorial plaque is incorporated.
The information board contains the following text.

"Commemorative plaque in honor of Our Lady of the Resistance.

This cast iron plate was designed by Josette Pire.
She thanked Our Lady of the Resistance for saving her the two men dearest to her: her father, Lieutenant General Pire, captain of the Secret Army and Pierre Van Haute, her later husband met during the resistance period.
The Abbot of Orval Abbey, Dom Albert van der Cruyssen and General Pire were
brothers in arms during the First World War and became good friends.
Became the leader of the Secret Army because of his clandestine activities
hunted by the Nazis. Dom Marie-Albert hid him from the occupiers for a while.
Out of gratitude to Our Lady and to commemorate their many years of friendship, Dom Marie-Albert had the memorial plaque placed next to the Mathilde Fountain."

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