Tourist Guide 2017 www.toerismemeetjesland.be

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Attractions

Heritage & culture

Out

The Creeks in

Welcome to the Meetjesland meetjesland, it’s an experience! discover a slice of unfamiliar flanders. far away from the hustle and bustle. between , bruges and the coast of zee- landic flanders (the ) you will discover a cycling paradise with woods, fields and, to the north, a unique creek area.

Info Visitor Center Huysmanhoeve, Toerisme Meetjesland, Bus 1, 9900 , T +32 9 377 86 00, [email protected], www.toerismemeetjesland.be www.toerismemeetjesland.be 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. ACTIVE Simply follow the junction combinations below. We recommend that cyclists purchase a junction map Cycling (6 Euros) in one of our tourist centers and have this map on you during your tour. Join us on the Meetjesland cycling network! De Lieve Tells Its Tale (40 km) This tour takes you along the oldest canal in Flanders. The level gradients of Meetjesland are home to a net- From the moment of its foundation, the city of Ghent work of cycling routes with various junctions, just like wanted a direct connection to the sea. ‘De Lieve’ is the the rest of Flanders. The assets of our cycling network first excavated canal in Flanders and was meant to grant are the landscape, the level gradients of the region and Ghent a direct waterway connection with ‘het Zwin’ the fine selection of pleasant cycling tours often on little (in the region of and Bruges). In , roads with barely any traffic. We are located between and this ‘Liefken’ still serves as Ghent, Bruges and the coast of Zeelandic Flanders just a picturesque little canal where fishermen and herons across the border from the Netherlands, which is an reign supreme. Start this tour in the village of Waar- additional asset. schoot, at the Sint-Ghislenus church. Follow the node markers from the center of Waarschoot. The large canals in our region are an added attraction. Along these canals are magnificent cycling routes, with For the tour ‘De Lieve Tells Its Tale’: follow 13-15-28-30-34- miles of easy cycling without ever coming across even 32-53-51-54-55-48-64-25-23-22-12-10-6-61-52-53-65-56- a single car. We call these our ‘cycling highways’. You can 59-9-13-3 outline your routes yourself on our cycling network map, guaranteeing peace and quietness. And many different De Lieve Tells Its Tale routes. You can also easily connect to the Meetjesland Cycling network from the center of Ghent (junctions 4 and 5). Simply follow junctions 50 and 51 to outline a lovely cycling tour on our network, starting in Vinderhoute, a beautiful small village with six castles.

Info Cycling Network Meetjesland costs 6 Euros. You can interact with the cycling network for free online on www.toerismemeetjesland.be 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 + 32 9 377 86 00 or [email protected]) Hiking Hiking Network Woods of Meetjesland

This part of Meetjesland consists of over more than 1000 hectares of woods. Het Leen for example (one of the three woods in the hiking network) 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; nice 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 infor- mation center. At the forest information center children can borrow a goody bag for free containing research materials to help them explore the nature in the woods. The other woods of the hiking network are: ‘Lembeekse The Creeks Speak Bossen’ (Woods of Lembeke’) and Drongengoed (between , Ursel and Kleit).

The Creeks Speak (35 km and 20 km) Info Provinciaal Domein Het Leen, To allow you to discover the prettiest part of the region Gentsesteenweg 80, 9900 Eeklo, T +32 9 376 74 74, we have outlined two themed tours in the border area [email protected] between 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. Hiking Network Creek Area Meetjesland Tour 1 (35 km) starts at the information office of Tourism Sint-Laureins, Dorpsstraat 87 in 9980 Sint-Laureins. Tour The creeks and polders in the north are particulary nice 2 tells you the ‘History surrounding ’ and shows for hikers. This hiking region stretches from the medieval you the fair village of Kaprijke, once a proud Flemish city border village Middelburg in the west almost to the town of which the current town hall is a telling reminder. with his market, cosy pubs and the port of Ghent This tour can be started at the information office of nearby in the east. It’s an area of creeks, dykes and polders. Kaprijke, Plein 1 in 9970 Kaprijke.

Trajectory ‘The Creeks Speak’ > Tour 1: 90-86-83-41-42-44-45-47-60-46-43-75-82-81- 85-89-90 > Tour 2: 79-80-93-91-89-85-76-73-74-79 > Those wanting to combine the two tours, follow this trajectory from Sint-Laureins (53 km): 90-86-83-41- 42-44-45-47-60-46-43-75-82-81-85-76-73-74-79-80- 93-91-89-90

Woods of Meetjesland Creek Area Meetjesland

A hiking region where silence reigns. And where the natural environment is astonishing. You will discover the Swimming gorgeous creek Boerekreek (6 km) and the beautyful pol- If you are looking for an indoor swimming pool in the ders around it. And you will also see small villages, hear region, we gladly refer you to Zelzate located in the ancient Flemish stories and meet nice people there. Meetjesland. With a kiddie pool for the toddlers, a rapid and a fun waterslide, Swimming Pool Eurohal in Zelzate Info The Hiking networks in Meetjesland are for sale has waves of fun for all ages. in all East-Flemish tourist information offices for 6 Euros and can be ordered online on Info Zwembad Eurohal Zelzate, Oostkade 1, 9060 Zelzate, www.toerismemeetjesland.be The map is available T +32 9 345 74 22 only in Dutch, but those familiar with the junction system can make full use of it immediately, irrespective of what language they speak. Online routeplanner on the website.

Creek Area Meetjesland

Our region does not offer any facilities for swimming outdoors in the summer. There are however some mag- nificent opportunities in the direct vicinity. We gladly refer you to: nearby recreational domain Blaarmeersen in Ghent (Sport- en recreatiedomein Blaarmeersen, Strand- laan 24, 9000 Gent, T 09 266 81 70) or provincial recreation domain Puyenbroeck in neighbouring town (Provinciaal Domein Puyenbroeck, Puyenbrug 1a, 9185 Wachtebeke, T +32 9 342 42 42). 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. The creeks 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.

Creeks of Sint-Laureins 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.

Info Toerisme Sint-Laureins, T +32 9 218 76 47, [email protected]

ATTRACTIONS Creeks of Assenede Assenede too has its impressive creeks. These great water Provincial Regional Visit pools are even more hidden in the vast polder landscape. This makes the Assenede creeks or ‘gullies’ a true paradise Center ‘Huysmanhoeve’ of rare birds and birds spending the winter. Assenede is Provinciaal Streekcentrum Huysmanhoeve (Provincial a cosy village where you can have a nice bite to eat or Regional Visit Center) is an interesting place to be in enjoy a glass, or two. Boekhoute and Bassevelde are just the summer. This old Flemish farm is a new regional visit around the corner. center. The gateway building is the oldest building in Eeklo, probably from the 12th century. The gateway and Info Toerisme Assenede, Visitor Center Boekhoute, the farmhouse are official monuments since 1993. Boekhoutedorp 3, 9961 Boekhoute, T 09 373 60 08, The regional visit center comes alive during the summer [email protected], www.assenede.be thanks to the many heritage activities on the site, organ- ized by Plattelandscentrum Meetjesland. A place to enjoy and to stay until the evening, indeed. In the old farmhouse you can find the central Tourism Board of the region.

Info Provincial Regional Visit Center Huysmanhoeve, Bus 1, 9900 Eeklo, T +32 9 327 04 47 (farm), +32 9 377 86 00 (tourism) or +32 9 379 78 37 (Plattelandscentrum Meetjesland)

Drongengoed Paradise for hikers near the village Ursel. The Drongen- goedhoeve is a Norbertine farm. It was built in 1746 by abbot De Stoop. Visit the landscape information centre where you’ll learn about the farm’s history and the sur- rounding landscape ‘Cuesta Zomergem-Oedelem’, a gently rolling clay strata. There is an information centre on Sun- days, when fresh bread is frequently baked. Visit the herb garden. With a bit of luck the ‘Cuesta’ pottery atelier will be open and you can so works of art in progress. Drink a beer in the cafeteria (also open during the week)

Info Drongengoedhoeve, Drongengoedweg 9, 9910 Ursel, T +32 473 64 81 84, [email protected] Drongengoedhoeve Canada Museum TIP Along the Lieve you can start a magnificent cycling tour on the cycling network that stretches from Ghent ‘for peace and freedom’ to Bruges. Mind you, the route from Ghent to Bruges 1995 saw the foundation of the Canada Poland Museum along the Lieve is no less than 52 km long! One useful tip ‘for peace and freedom’ in commemoration of the Cana- would be to return by train. To take your bicycle on the dian and Polish soldiers that liberated the area in 1944. train adds a 8 Euro surcharge to your passenger ticket. Witnesses to this military operation are the Canadian Info: www.b-rail.be Military Cemetery, some three kilometres from the museum. The Canada-Poland War II Museum uses dio­ ramas 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 libera- tion 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. Particulary beautiful are the English, The Lieve French and Japanese gardens around the museum. They can be visited, with guide, every hour. On the steam train between Info Canada-Poland War Museum, Heulendonk 21, and Eeklo 9991 Adegem (Maldegem), T + 32 50 71 06 66, [email protected], www.canadamuseum.be 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 center housing steam locomotives and old rail- way 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 rail- way bridge near Balgerhoeke across the Schipdonk canal.

Info Stoomcentrum Maldegem, Stationsplein 8, 9990 Maldegem, T +32 50 71 68 52, [email protected]. For a ride schedule ask the tourist information offices of the Meetjesland

Gardens around the museum or call the Steam Center in advance.

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 tribu- tary system of the Scheldt river; the water of the Kale then stretched from the area of Tielt via the Durme through 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 occa- sion come across the meandering Kale, particularly in the ‘Land of ’. This region is home to countless wonder- ful natural spots, numerous slices of paradise where ‘tranquillity’ is key. An interesting start for a cycling tour. The neo-gothic church Sint-Vincentius 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.

Info Toerisme Meetjesland (in historic building HERITAGE Huysmanhoeve), Bus 1, 9900 Eeklo, T +32 9 377 86 00, [email protected], & CULTURE www.toerismemeetjesland.be or the tourism infopoint of the city, Library, In and around monuments Molenstraat 36, 9900 Eeklo, T +32 9 218 27 00 In and around the Meetjesland monuments you relive Town hall and Square in Kaprijke part of the region’s past. The monuments are remnants Kaprijke is now a village but was once a city of weavers. of the tall tales of yore. A few “must-see locations”: The most notable sights are: the 17th century town hall and the magnificent ‘Square’ (Plein) where people came The fishing village of Boekhoute is a noteworthy from far and wide in the Middle Ages to trade in textiles. Meetjesland town. The town is some 20 km away from the Western Scheldt. But the fishing history of the village, Info Toerisme Kaprijke, Veld 1, 9970 Kaprijke, which until 1953 had its own fishing port thanks to the T +32 9 323 90 54, [email protected], Braakman arm leading towards the sea, is still very much www.kaprijke.be (between nodes 79 and 74) 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 Center. It is advisable to call ahead of your visit.

Info Visitor Center Boekhoute, Boekhoutedorp 3, 9961 Boekhoute, T 09 373 60 08, [email protected], www.assenede.be

Town hall in Kaprijke

Visitor Center Boekhoute Wippelgem Castle Park Around the Sint-Barbara church in Maldegem Not far from Ghent, ‘Goed Ten Hulle’ is better known as Maldegem has always retained its character and it really the ‘Wippelgem Castle’ because it’s located in the village pays off to wander through the center of Maldegem. of Wippelgem. The domain also includes a coach house, Note the Sint-Anna church in the heart of the town. horse stables, an icehouse and a gardener’s residence, Or the neo-gothic town hall with its belfry tower and now a bistro. (between nodes 41 and 46) its location along the Ede. The most impressing part of Maldegem is reached when taking a small street at ‘Oud Schepenhuys’ to walk in and around the Sint-Barabara church. This is an oasis of tranquillity in the middle of the busy town center of Maldegem. At the old ‘Schepenhuys’ is the whimsical statuette of Rietje Koane.

Info UiTloket Maldegem (town hall), Marktstraat 7, 9990 Maldegem, T 050 72 86 22, [email protected], www.maldegem.be

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

Wippelgem Castle 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 magnifi- cent building with a unique organ where organists from far and wide come to play. The town square is called ‘Stee’.

Info Toerisme Sint-Laureins, Dorpsstraat 87, 9980 Sint-Laureins, T +32 9 218 76 47, [email protected], www.sint-laureins.be

Around the Sint-Barbara church in Maldegem Master of Frank- furt in Watervliet

Middelburg-in-Flanders

Middelburg-in-Flanders 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. 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 recon- structed ramparts surrounding Middelburg.

Follow the hiking network on the trajectory 54-28(NL)-45(NL)-53-54 Info Expo Krulbol, Doornzele Dries 1, 9940 , Belgische Krulbolbond, T +32 476 46 60 02 Kindly phone ahead. (Node 4)

Dining No lack of dining opportunities in the Meetjesland. Each town center has its brasseries, eateries and pubs, with Maldegem, Zelzate and Eeklo as centers of regional horeca. We would still like to draw your attention to some remark- able places or regions with regional tasty treats.

Info www.horecameetjesland.be

The Heihoek on the Lembeekse Bossen The Heihoek is an ideal starting point for a brisk walk through the Lembeekse Bossen. Ample parking, cosiness, Bardelaere Museum 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 out over 1,200 square metres of exhibition space Barde- laere is sure to break at least some records in the world Folk game of Krulbol of museums. It paints, in a nutshell, a wonderful picture of the Flemish, their habits and culture over the last 100 In the mill on the prettiest ‘dries’ of Flanders in Doornzele years. The people of Bardelaere will welcome you with the exhibition ‘Expo krulbol’ tells the tale of the folk game open arms. Bardelaere is a funny place full of ‘petites his- from the Meetjesland. The game of krulbol is centuries old. toires’. This local history museum showcases the Flemish The game as we know it in this region is still played in spirit of self-deprecation and the Burgundian way of life. Meetjesland, the Ghent region, the region surrounding Certainly worth a visit for this reason alone. and in Zeelandic Flanders. On top of the mill you have a fantastic view of the Dries (3 km long!) and Info Bardelaere Museum, Ledestraat 42, 9971 Lembeke, the Ghent port. T +32 9 377 04 22, [email protected], open on sundays from March to the end of October. More information available from Tourism Kaprijke (T 09 323 90 54) 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 The nearby town of Zomergem is also worth noting. This are some excellent eel eateries with colourful Flemish is a village with little cafés in the market square and fine names: Roste Muis, Polderzicht, Krekenpoort, etc. manor houses in the town center.

Info Toerisme Sint-Laureins, Dorpsstraat 87, Cheers, our regional beers! 9980 Sint-Laureins, T +32 9 218 76 47, The most renowned regional product is undoubtedly the [email protected], www.sint-laureins.be Augustijn beer from the one true large regional brewery, Brewery Van Steenberge. Besides the other Van Steen- Top restaurants in castle villages near Ghent berge products on the market such as Piraat and Gulden If you like class look no further than Hansbeke, Merendree Draak, you can also find a microbrewery or small-name en Vinderhoute, a short distance away from Ghent, for regional beers that have garnered great acclaim in the some magnificent restaurants. They are certainly worth beer market. The Troubadour beer by The Musketeers in noting. The villages of Hansbeke, Merendree and Vinder- Ursel, for instance, was awarded a gold medal at the houte are cosy and typical Meetjesland towns where you World Beer Cup in Chicago. Microbrewery Den Tseut will gladly step off the pedals during your cycling tour. from Oosteeklo is another pleasant surprise. Colophon this digital tourist guide meetjesland 2017 in foreign languages is an initiative by tourism vzw and tourism meetjesland vzw.

This publication finds his origin in the Interreg IVB project Collabor8 (period 2009-2012) in which we promoted collaboration between regional tourist entrepreneurs. Responsible Editor Toerisme Meetjesland, Mevr. Rita De Coninck, Bus 1, 9900 Eeklo, T + 32 9 377 86 00, [email protected] Editing: Bart Van Damme With thanks to: the municipal administrations, the municipal tourist departments, Erik Hennes, Ilse Huyvaert, Inge Slock Lay-out: Karakters, Ghent Campaign styling: Magelaan cvba, Gent Photography: Toerisme Meetjesland, Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen, David Stockman, Daniël de Kievith, Koen Van Waesberghe and David Samyn

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