The history of Laval Dieu begins in this place formerly called “la Bouche de Semoy” when the Archbishop of Reims, Hincmar, had a chapel built in 867, that was dedicated to Saint Rémy and entrusted it to the secular canons from the Braux Collegiate Church with a view to evangelising the region. Twelve canons from Prémontré arrived in the month of June 1128, at the beginning of the Semoy Valley which then became for evermore the “Vallis Dei”, the Vallée de Dieu, Laval-Dieu. Right from the moment it was founded Laval Dieu Abbey received as alms or in exchange for prayers, the inherited lands in Monthermé and further beyond in the neighbouring areas situated in the Empire, such as Auton wood in the Roc la Tour direction, owned by the Orchimont family. That is how Monthermé became an entity, a village, a seigneury whose lord of the manor was the Abbot of Laval Dieu. The inside of the church’s walls is entirely covered with oak panelling up to a height of 3.50 m that was installed in the early years of the 18th century.
References:The Broch of Clickimin is a large and well preserved, though somewhat restored broch near Lerwick. Originally built on an island in Clickimin Loch (now increased in size by silting and drainage), it was approached by a stone causeway. The water-level in the loch was reduced in 1874, leaving the broch high and dry. The broch is situated within a walled enclosure and, unusually for brochs, features a large 'blockhouse' between the opening in the enclosure and the broch itself. Another unusual feature is a stone slab featuring sculptured footprints, located in the causeway which approached the site. Situated across the loch is the Clickimin Leisure Centre.