tourist guide Meetjesland 2011 Welcome to the Meetjesland

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "tourist guide Meetjesland 2011 Welcome to the Meetjesland"

Alexandrina Simpson
6 years ago
Views:

Between Ghent, Bruges and the coast of Zeelandic Flanders (the Netherlands) you will discover a cycling paradise with woods, fields and, to the north, a

1 tourist guide Meetjesland 2011 Welcome to the Meetjesland Meetjesland, it s an experience! Discover a slice of unfamiliar Flanders. Far away from the hustle and bustle. Between Ghent, Bruges and the coast of Zeelandic Flanders (the Netherlands) you will discover a cycling paradise with woods, fields and, to the north, a unique creek area. Toerisme Meetjesland Stationsstraat 21, 9900 Eeklo T info@toerismemeetjesland.be On our website you can select English, French or German at the top right. The major tourist sections are featured in your language.

Active Cycling Join us on the Meetjesland cycling network! The level gradients of Meetjesland are home to a network of cycling routes with various junctions, just like the rest of Flanders.

We are located between Ghent, Bruges and the coast of Zeelandic Flanders just across the border from the Netherlands, which is an additional asset.

2 Active Cycling Join us on the Meetjesland cycling network! The level gradients of Meetjesland are home to a network of cycling routes with various junctions, just like the rest of Flanders. The assets of our cycling network are the landscape, the level gradients of the region and the fine selection of pleasant cycling tours often on little roads with barely any traffic. We are located between Ghent, Bruges and the coast of Zeelandic Flanders just across the border from the Netherlands, which is an additional asset. The large canals in our region are an added attraction. Along these canals are magnificent cycling routes, with miles of easy cycling without ever coming across even a single car. We call these our cycling highways. You can outline your routes yourself on our cycling network map, guaranteeing peace and quite and many different routes. You can also easily connect to the Meetjesland Cycling network from the centre of Ghent (junctions 4 and 5). Simply follow junctions 50 and 51 to outline a lovely cycling tour on our network, starting in Vinderhoute. Cycling Network Meetjesland costs 6 Euros. You can interact with the cycling network for free online on under the section Cycling, with the route planner. We recommend cyclists to keep the cycling network map with them on their tour. Toerisme Meetjesland T info@toerismemeetjesland.be 2

Get to work immediately with the cycling network To give you a taste of our cycling network, we would make two suggestions. We have selected these junction suggestions to create themed tours.

3 Get to work immediately with the cycling network To give you a taste of our cycling network, we would make two suggestions. We have selected these junction suggestions to create themed tours. You can easily work out different routes with these junction combinations. Simply follow the junction combinations below. We recommend that cyclists purchase a junction map (6 Euros) in one of our tourist centres and have this map on you during your tour. De Lieve Tells Its Tale (40 km): This tour takes you along the oldest canal in Flanders. From the moment of its foundation, the city of Ghent wanted a direct connection to the sea. De Lieve is the first excavated canal in Flanders and was meant to grant Ghent a direct waterway connection with het Zwin (in the region of Damme and Bruges). In Lovendegem, Waarschoot and Zomergem this Liefken still serves as a picturesque little canal where fishermen and herons reign supreme. Start this tour in the village of Waarschoot, at the Sint-Ghislenus church. Follow the node markers from the centre of Waarschoot. Tour De Lieve Tells Its Tale The Creeks Speak (35 km and 20 km): To allow you to discover the prettiest part of the region we have outlined two themed tours in the border area between Belgium and the Netherlands. On route 1 you will discover the fascinating Tale of the creeks in Sint-Laureins. This tour takes you along the prettiest creeks in the region. Tour 1 (35 km) starts at the information office of Tourism Sint-Laureins, Dorpsstraat 87 in 9980 Sint-Laureins. Tour 2 tells you the History surrounding Kaprijke and shows you the fair village of Kaprijke, once a proud Flemish city of which the current town hall is a telling reminder. This tour can be started at the information office of Kaprijke, Plein 1 in 9970 Kaprijke. Trajectory The Creeks Speak Tour 1: Trajectory The Creeks Speak Tour 2: Those wanting to combine the two tours (53 km), pay close attention: 1. Start at Tourism Sint-Laureins 2. From the third last junction 85 follow the trajectory of Tour 2 in the direction of junction 76. junction 76 is the seventh junction of Tour 2 3. When at junction 79 in Kaprijke, follow the start of Tour 2 4. From junction 89 you can easily return in the direction of Tourism Sint-Laureins in the direction of junction 90. 3

Hiking Hiking network Sint-Maria-Aalter Provincial Domain Het Leen, paradise for hikers The Provincial Domain Het Leen in Eeklo consists of over 265 hectares of woods.

Now it is an ideal hiking wood with hard surfaced walking lanes; ideal for a Sunday walk with a stroller. This is truly a hiking area for all ages.

4 Hiking Hiking network Sint-Maria-Aalter Provincial Domain Het Leen, paradise for hikers The Provincial Domain Het Leen in Eeklo consists of over 265 hectares of woods. Het Leen has been the property of the province of East-Flanders since 1973, and is a former military domain. Now it is an ideal hiking wood with hard surfaced walking lanes; ideal for a Sunday walk with a stroller. This is truly a hiking area for all ages. There is a cafeteria with a playground and playwoods. Don t forget to visit the arboretum and the brand-new forest information centre. At the forest information centre children can borrow a goody bag for free containing research materials to help explore the nature in the woods better. Het Leen is also home to the Eeklo Heem Museum, with a local historical collection mainly on the subject of the history of the city of Eeklo. Provinciaal Domein Het Leen, Gentsesteenweg 80, 9900 Eeklo, T , het.leen@oost-vlaanderen.be Hiking network in the woods of Sint-Maria-Aalter Forest information centre Het Leen Around Sint-Maria-Aalter is a gorgeous hiking network. This hiking region stretches from the Meetjesland across the provincial border to the West- Flemish Bulskampveld around Beernem. This former heathland contains wide coniferous and deciduous forests, lined with straight lanes and practically carfree winding roads. Hiking network Bulskampveld is for sale in all East and West Flemish tourist information offices for 6 Euros and can be ordered online on The map is available only in Dutch, but those familiar with the junction system can make full use of it immediately, irrespective of what language they speak. 4

Zwembad Eurohal Zelzate Oostkade, 9060 Zelzate T Dirk Willems +32 9 345 74 22 dirk-willems@skynet.

5 Swimming If you are looking for an inside swimming pool in the region, we gladly refer you to Zelzate located in the Meetjesland. With a kiddie pool for the toddlers, a rapid and a fun waterslide, Swimming Pool Eurohal in Zelzate has waves of fun for all ages. Zwembad Eurohal Zelzate Oostkade, 9060 Zelzate T Dirk Willems dirk-willems@skynet.be Swimming pool Eurohal in Zelzate Our region does not offer any facilities for swimming outdoors in the summer. There are however some magnificent opportunities in the direct vicinity. We gladly refer you to: nearby recreational domain Blaarmeersen in Ghent (Sporten recreatiedomein Blaarmeersen, Zuiderlaan 5, 9000 Gent, T ) or provincial recreation domain Puyenbroeck in neighbouring town Wachtebeke (Provinciaal Domein Puyenbroeck, Puyenbrug 1a, 9185 Wachtebeke, T ). May we also point you in the direction of the coast of Zeelandic Flanders, which is nearby and has beautiful beaches? The Zeelandic Flanders port town of Breskens is barely 28 km away from Eeklo. Attractions Blokkreek Sint-Laureins The creeks and polders in the north The high point of your visit to Meetjesland is the creek area. Particularly Sint-Laureins and Assenede can rightly be called the main creek towns of the area. Here, on the border between Belgium and the Netherlands where smugglers were once king, a stroll or a cycling tour are truly worth the effort. The creeks are an exceptionally visible presence in Sint-Laureins. They can be found as surprising water pools in the polders of the border area. Between Sint-Laureins and Watervliet lie the greatest creeks of the area. Be sure to visit the quaint little villages of Sint-Jan-In-Eremo, Sint- Margriete and Waterland-Oudeman. Toerisme Sint-Laureins Dorpsstraat 87, 9980 Sint-Laureins T dienstvrijetijd@sint-laureins.be Assenede too has its impressive creeks. These great water pools are even more hidden in the vast polder landscape. This makes the Assenede creeks or gullies a true paradise of rare birds and birds spending the winter. Assenede is a cosy village where you can have a nice bite to eat or enjoy a glass or two. Boekhoute and Bassevelde are just around the corner. Toerisme Assenede Markt 4, 9960 Assenede T toerisme@assenede.be 5

Canada-Poland War II Museum 1995 saw the foundation of the Canada-Poland War II Museum in commemoration of the Canadian and Polish soldiers that liberated the area in 1944.

The Canada-Poland War II Museum uses dioramas to tell the tale of mobilization, occupation and liberation. It also showcases uniforms, weapons, posters, newspaper cuttings and other wartime materials.

6 Canada-Poland War II Museum 1995 saw the foundation of the Canada-Poland War II Museum in commemoration of the Canadian and Polish soldiers that liberated the area in Witnesses to this military operation are the Canadian Military Cemetery, some three kilometres from the museum. The Canada-Poland War II Museum uses dioramas to tell the tale of mobilization, occupation and liberation. It also showcases uniforms, weapons, posters, newspaper cuttings and other wartime materials. The museum offers an important testimonial of the liberation of Europe, not in the least because the Canadians and Polish had fought so hard here to gain access as quickly as possible to the vital port of Antwerp, a crucial part in the fight for victory in the Second World War in Western Europe. Canada-Poland War Museum Heulendonk 21, 9991 Adegem (Maldegem) T info@canadamuseum.be Canada-Poland War II Museum Drongengoed-Maldegemveld Drongengoed-Maldegemveld is the largest wood in East Flanders. With a surface area of 550 hectares the forest is a remnant of the medieval forest belt between Ghent and Bruges. The main attraction of the forest is the Drongengoedhoeve in ursel (between nodes 75 and 68). The former abbey farm of the Norbertine order of Drongen dates back to It now houses a regional visitor centre and a cafeteria. On Sundays fresh bread is baked and on Saturdays the ceramics workshop is open to visitors. You can also take a stroll in the herb garden. Landschapsinfocentrum Drongengoedhoeve Drongengoedweg 9, 9910 Ursel T toerisme@knesselare.be The prettiest places along Lieve and Kale De Lieve is the oldest canal in Flanders and originally connected Ghent with the Zwin region (region of Bruges and Damme). The river Kale was long ago part of a tributary system of the Scheldt river; the water of the Kale then stretched from the area of Tielt via the Durme through Lokeren up to Tielrode on the Scheldt. The Kale as a natural river has in the meantime been cross-cut numerous times by new canals. In the Southern Meetjesland we on occasion come across the meandering Kale, particularly in the Land of Nevele. This region is home to countless wonderful natural spots, numerous slices of paradise where tranquillity is key. An interesting start for a cycling tour. Tip: Along the Lieve you can start a magnificent cycling tour on the cycling network that stretches from Ghent to Bruges. Mind you, the route from Ghent to Bruges along the Lieve is no less than 52 km long! One useful tip would be to return by train. To take your bicycle on the train adds a 5 Euro surcharge to your passenger ticket. Drongengoed 6

The steam trains ride on Sundays from May until the end of September. In July and August they also ride out on Wednesdays and Fridays.

7 On the steam train between Maldegem and Eeklo Maldegem is home to a charming railway station from 1862, protected by its monument status. This railway station was crowned with the 2007 Flemish Monument Award. The station was transformed by volunteers into a unique centre housing steam locomotives and old railway carriages. The steam trains ride on Sundays from May until the end of September. In July and August they also ride out on Wednesdays and Fridays. The high point of your ride between Maldegem and Eeklo is the antique railway bridge near Balgerhoeke across the Schipdonk canal. Stoomcentrum Maldegem Stationsplein 8, 9990 Maldegem T info@stoomcentrum.be. For a ride schedule ask the tourist information offices of the Meetjesland or call the Steam Centre in advance. On the railway line Maldegem-Eeklo Heritage and culture In and around monuments In and around the Meetjesland monuments you relive part of the region s past. The monuments are remnants of the tall tales of yore. A few must-see locations: The fishing village of Boekhoute is a noteworthy Meetjesland town. The town is some 20 km away from the Western Scheldt. But the fishing history of the village, which until 1953 had its own fishing port thanks to the Braakman arm leading towards the sea, is still very much alive in the hearts of the townspeople of Boekhoute. To this day two of Boekhoute s fishing boats are still in active service, departing for their catch from the Dutch fishing ports of Breskens and Terneuzen. Learn more on this remarkable village in the brand-new Visitor Centre. It is advisable to call ahead of your visit. Bezoekerscentrum Boekhoute, Vissersdorp Zonder Haven Boekhoutedorp 3, 9961 Boekhoute T toerisme@assenede.be, (between nodes 54 and 50) 7

The centre of Eeklo with the neo-gothic Sint-Vincentius church The Meulekreek in Middelburg Toerisme Meetjesland (in historic building of the Justice of the Peace) Stationsstraat 21, 9900 Eeklo T +32

The most notable sights are: the 17th century town hall and the magnificent Square where people came from far and wide in the Middle Ages to trade in textiles.

The founder of this miniature city is the wealthy Bruges burgher Pieter Bladelin, friend of the family to the kings of Burgundy Philip the Good and Charles the Bold.

8 The centre of Eeklo with the neo-gothic Sint-Vincentius church The Meulekreek in Middelburg Toerisme Meetjesland (in historic building of the Justice of the Peace) Stationsstraat 21, 9900 Eeklo T info@toerismemeetjesland.be (node 94) Town hall and Square in Kaprijke: Kaprijke is now a village but was once a city of weavers. The most notable sights are: the 17th century town hall and the magnificent Square where people came from far and wide in the Middle Ages to trade in textiles. Toerisme Kaprijke, Plein 1, 9970 Kaprijke T , toerisme@kaprijke.be (between nodes 79 and 74) Visitor centre Bladelin in Middelburg: Middelburg- In-Vlaanderen has a rich castle history. The founder of this miniature city is the wealthy Bruges burgher Pieter Bladelin, friend of the family to the kings of Burgundy Philip the Good and Charles the Bold. The visitor centre in Middelburg offers a glimpse into the past of the town. The wonderful Meulekreek forms the border between Belgium and the Netherlands. It is also worth a small stroll starting at the Meulekreek to visit the reconstructed ramparts surrounding Middelburg. The neo-gothic and sculpture trail in Eeklo: The charming corners of Eeklo with folk singer Tamboer, Flemish Music in small cafés, the narrow streets, the many statues and the little squares will not offer up their secrets without some effort. Admire the 17th century town hall. Discover the belfry which was made a world heritage site by Unesco, and which was added to the town hall in 1932 as a tribute to the veterans of the First World War. Feel free to pay a visit to Tourism Meetjesland to get better acquainted with the fine corners of the city. Bezoekerscentrum Middelburg Groene Markt 8a, 9992 Middelburg T Toerisme Maldegem: (between nodes 5 and 70) Town hall in Kaprijke 8

Around the Sint-Barbara church in Maldegem Around the Sint-Barbara church in Maldegem: Maldegem has always retained its character and it really pays off to wander through the centre of Maldegem.

The most impressing part of Maldegem is reached when taking a small street at the tourist centre to walk in and around the Sint-Barabara church.

9 Around the Sint-Barbara church in Maldegem Around the Sint-Barbara church in Maldegem: Maldegem has always retained its character and it really pays off to wander through the centre of Maldegem. Note the Sint-Anna church in the heart of the town. Or the neo-gothic town hall with its belfry tower and its location along the Ede. The most impressing part of Maldegem is reached when taking a small street at the tourist centre to walk in and around the Sint-Barabara church. This is an oasis of tranquillity in the middle of the busy town centre of Maldegem. At the tourist office is the whimsical statuette of Rietje Koane. Toerisme Maldegem (in the Oud Schepenhuis) Marktstraat 38, 9990 Maldegem T toerisme@maldegem.be (node 10) The walking park at Poeke Castle: One particularly beautiful walking park is located in the far south of the Meetjesland around the magnificent Poeke Castle. A walk around this park and you seem to have been immediately transported to the Loire region. The green splendour of the park is sure to leave an impression. And the nearby town square of Poeke is a pleasant resting point on your trip. Poekekasteel Kasteelstraat Poeke (Aalter) Master of Frankfurt in Watervliet: In the list of top paintings by Flemish Primitives is found the painting Nood Gods (1520), attributed to the Master of Frankfurt. This work is located in Watervliet. The Master of Frankfurt has paintings on display in Frankfurt, Madrid, Heidelberg, Antwerp, and Watervliet. The church is a magnificent building with a unique organ where organists from far and wide come to play. The town square is called Stee. Toerisme Sint-Laureins Dorpsstraat 87, 9980 Sint-Laureins T kathleen.seynhaeve@sint-laureins.be Poeke Castle 9

(node 4) Dining No lack of dining opportunities in the Meetjesland. Each town centre has its brasseries, eateries and pubs, with Maldegem, Aalter, Zelzate and Eeklo as centres of regional horeca.

10 the region surrounding Beernem and in Zeelandic Flanders. On top of the mill you have a fantastic view of the Dries (3 km long!) and the Ghent port. Expo Krulbol, Belgische Krulbolbond Doornzele Dries, 9940 Evergem T Open on weekend afternoons during the summer. Kindly phone ahead. (node 4) Dining No lack of dining opportunities in the Meetjesland. Each town centre has its brasseries, eateries and pubs, with Maldegem, Aalter, Zelzate and Eeklo as centres of regional horeca. We would still like to draw your attention to some remarkable places or regions with regional tasty treats. This local history museum showcases the Flemish spirit of self-deprecation and the Burgundian way of life. Certainly worth a visit for this reason alone. Bardelaere Museum Ledestraat 42, 9971 Lembeke T bardelaeremuseum@skynet.be Open on Sundays from March to the end of October. More information available from Tourism Kaprijke (T ) Out Folk game of Krulbol Krulbol in the Meetjesland In the mill on the prettiest dries of Flanders in Doornzele the exhibition Expo krulbol tells the tale of the folk game from the Meetjesland. The game of krulbol is centuries old. The game as we know it in this region is still played in Meetjesland, the Ghent region, The Heihoek on the Lembeekse Bossen: The Heihoek is an ideal starting point for a brisk walk through the Lembeekse Bossen. Ample parking, cosiness, an ice-cream truck during the summer and most of all plenty of restaurants and eateries. There is also the Bardelaere Museum. With over 16,000 collection pieces (!) distributed across 112 professions and spread out over 1,200 square metres of exhibition space Bardelaere is sure to break at least some records in the world of museums. It paints, in a nutshell, a wonderful picture of the Flemish, their habits and culture over the last 100 years. The people of Bardelaere will welcome you with open arms. Bardelaere is a funny place full of petites histoires. Bardelaere Museum on the edge of the Lembeekse Bossen 10

11 Eel in Sint-Laureins: Since 2010 Sint-Laureins has the honour of bearing the title East-Flemish Ambassador to Vlaanderen Lekkerland. This is in no small part thanks to the decades of tradition in eel dining. People from far and wide make the trip here, to the creek area, to come and savour the delicious fish dishes in typical eel eateries. Around Sint-Jan-In-Eremo are some excellent eel eateries with colourful Flemish names: Roste Muis, Polderzicht, In den Draaiput, Elmare, Krekenpoort, etc. Toerisme Sint-Laureins Dorpsstraat 87, 9980 Sint-Laureins T dienstvrijetijd@sint-laureins.be Eel in Sint-Laureins Top restaurants in castle towns near Ghent: If you like class look no further than Hansbeke, Merendree en Vinderhoute, a short distance away from Ghent, for some magnificent restaurants. Names like Vredesdreef 2, t Aards Paradijs, De Bestemming, De Stekvogel, t Oud Gemeentehuis and Onder De Toren might ring a bell? And have you heard of De Paddenhouck in Ertvelde or De Warande in Bentille? They are certainly worth noting. The villages of Hansbeke, Merendree and Vinderhoute are cosy and typical Meetjesland towns where you will gladly step off the pedals during your cycling tour. The nearby town of Zomergem is also worth noting. This is a village with little cafés in the market square and fine manor houses in the town centre. Cheers, our regional beers! The most renowned regional product is undoubtedly the Augustijn beer from the one true large regional brewery, Brewery Van Steenberge. Besides the other Van Steenberge products on the market such as Piraat and Gulden Draak, you can also find a microbrewery or small-name regional beers that have garnered great acclaim in the beer market. The Troubadour beer by The Musketeers in Ursel, for instance, was awarded a gold medal at the World Beer Cup in Chicago. Microbrewery Den Tseut from Oosteeklo is another pleasant surprise. Info And then there is the Beer Museum! The Beer Museum is located in Ertvelde, which also happens to be home to the large Augustijn Brewery, and can therefore rightly be called the premier beer village of the Meetjesland. In this cellar-turnedcafé visitors will discover over 5,000 different beer bottles, filled with the original beer. Prepare to be charmed by the history of the many Meetjesland breweries, an extensive beer glass collection and Remi s amusing laugh. Het Biermuseum Kuipstraat 36, 9940 Ertvelde T hetbiermuseum@hotmail.com Genièvrerie Van Hoorebeke Jenever Van Hoorebeke, an original Eeklo product, still distilled by Filliers in Deinze, is one of the bestselling jenevers in Flanders. Discover the secrets to jenever distillation in the former building of the Van Hoorebeke distillery in Eeklo. Jeneverhuis Van Hoorebeke Van Hoorebekeplein 2, 9900 Eeklo T of T The jenever house is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 12 noon. Kindly phone ahead. 11

Information offices Toerisme Meetjesland (in historic building of the Justice of the Peace) Stationsstraat 21, 9900 Eeklo, T +32 9 377 86 00, info@toerismemeetjesland.

12 Information offices Toerisme Meetjesland (in historic building of the Justice of the Peace) Stationsstraat 21, 9900 Eeklo, T , info@toerismemeetjesland.be (click for different language) Toerisme Maldegem (in the Oud Schepenhuis) Marktstraat 38, 9990 Maldegem, T , toerisme@maldegem.be Toerisme Kaprijke (in Galerie Stadhuis), Plein 1, 9970 Kaprijke, T , toerisme@kaprijke.be Toerisme Sint-Laureins Dorpsstraat 87, 9980 Sint-Laureins, T , dienstvrijetijd@sint-laureins.be Bezoekerscentrum Boekhoute Vissersdorp zonder haven Boekhoutedorp 3, 9961 Boekhoute, T , toerisme@assenede.be Toerisme Assenede Markt 4, 9960 Assenede, T , toerisme@assenede.be Heemmuseum & VVV Eeklo (in provincial domain Het Leen) Gentsesteenweg 80, 9900 Eeklo, T , vvv@eeklo.be Landschapsinfocentrum Drongengoedhoeve (Information point open on Sundays), Drongengoedweg 9, 9910 Ursel, T , toerisme@knesselare.be Colophon Responsible Editor Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen vzw, Dhr. Pierre Goffaux, Sint-Niklaasstraat 2, 9000 Gent, T , toerisme@oost-vlaanderen.be This digital tourist Guide Meetjesland 2011 in foreign languages is an initiative by Tourism East Flanders vzw and Tourism Meetjesland vzw. This publication is part of Interreg IVB project Collabor8 in which regional tourist entrepreneurs collaborate. Editing Bart Van Damme With thanks to With thanks to the municipal administrations, the municipal tourist departments, Erik Hennes, Hannah Pector, Heidi Schaght, Inge Slock, Ilse Huyvaert, Koen Trenson, Paul Van De Woestijne, Regina De Meyer General design, campaign photography and cartography Layout Photography: Toerisme Meetjesland, Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen, David Stockman, Michel Vyncke, Daniël de Kievith, Koen Van Waesberghe 12

Belgium - The Historical Art Cities Bike Tour (2018) Individual Self-guided 7 days / 6 nights

Belgium - The Historical Art Cities Bike Tour (2018) Individual Self-guided 7 days / 6 nights Surprisingly close by and remarkably beautiful, that s how to describe Brussels and the various regions of