Tourist Guide. meetjesland Welcome to the Meetjesland

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1 Pure bliss 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. Tourist Guide meetjesland 2014 Info: Provinciaal Streekcentrum Huysmanhoeve, Toerisme Meetjesland, Bus 1, 9900 Eeklo, T , info@ toerismemeetjesland.be,

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. Dykes in the Meetjesland Info: 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 or info@toerismemeetjesland.be) Tourist Guide Meetjesland

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 1: 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. Tourist Guide Meetjesland

4 Forest information centre Het Leen Hiking 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. Info: Provinciaal Domein Het Leen, Gentsesteenweg 80, 9900 Eeklo, T , het.leen@oost-vlaanderen.be Hiking network Creek Area Meetjesland The creeks and polders in the north are particulary nice for hikers. This hiking region stretches from the medieval border village Middelburg in the west almost to the town Zelzate with his market, cosy pubs and the port of Ghent nearby in the east. It s an area of creeks, dykes and polders. A hiking region where silence reigns. And where the natural environment is astonishing. You will discover the gorgeous creek Boerekreek (6 km) and the beautyful polders around it. And you will also see small villages, hear ancient Flemish stories and meet nice people there. Info: Hiking network Creek Area Meetjesland (Meetjeslandse Kreken) is for sale in all East Flemish tourist information offices for 6 Euros and can be ordered online on be 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. Hiking Network Creek Area Meetjesland Tourist Guide Meetjesland

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. Info: Zwembad Eurohal Zelzate, Oostkade, 9060 Zelzate, T Dirk Willems , dirk-willems@skynet.be 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 (Sport- en 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 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 Belgian-Dutch border The Great Gully in Assenede 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. Bezoekerscentrum Boekhoute Vissersdorp zonder haven, Boekhoutedorp 3, 9961 Boekhoute, T , toerisme@assenede.be, 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 Blokkreek Sint-Laureins Swimming pool Eurohal in Zelzate Tourist Guide Meetjesland

6 Canada Poland Museum for peace and freedom 1995 saw the foundation of the Canada Poland Museum for peace and freedom 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. Particulary beautiful are the English, French and Japanese gardens around the museum. They can be visited, with guide, every hour. Info: Canada Poland Museum, Heulendonk 21, 9991 Adegem (Maldegem), T , info@canadamuseum.be, Landscape Park Drongengoed Drongengoed The Landscape Park Drongengoed 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. Info: Landschapsinfocentrum Drongengoedhoeve (met infopunt open op zondag), 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. Info: De Lieve from Belzele to Zomergem Canada-Poland War II Museum Tourist Guide Meetjesland

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. Info: 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. 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. Info: Bezoekerscentrum Boekhoute, Vissersdorp Zonder Haven, Boekhoutedorp 3, 9961 Boekhoute, T , toerisme@assenede.be, (between nodes 54 and 50) The centre of Eeklo with the neo-gothic Sint-Vincentius church On the railway line Maldegem-Eeklo Tourist Guide Meetjesland

8 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 Huysmanhoeve), Bus 1, 9900 Eeklo, T , toerisme.meetjesland@ oost-vlaanderen.be, or the tourism infopoint of the city, Library, Molenstraat 36, 9900 Eeklo, T (Node 94) Visit Centre Huysmanhoeve in Eeklo The Meulekreek in Middelburg The town hall of Kaprijke Provinciaal Streekcentrum Huysmanhoeve (Provincial Regional Visit Center): An interesting place to be in the summer. This old Flemish farm is a new regional visit centre. The gateway building is the oldest building in Eeklo, probably from the 12th century. The gateway and the farmhouse are official monuments since The regional visit centre comes alive during the summer thanks to the many heritage activities on the site, organized by Plattelandscentrum Meetjesland. A place to enjoy and to stay until the evening, indeed. Info: Provincial Regional Visit Centre Huysmanhoeve, Bus 1, 9900 Eeklo, T (farm), (tourism) or (Plattelandscentrum Meetjesland) 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. Info: 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. Info: Bezoekerscentrum Middelburg, Groene Markt 8a, 9992 Middelburg, T Toerisme Maldegem: (between nodes 5 and 70) Tourist Guide Meetjesland

9 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. Info: Toerisme Maldegem (in the Oud Schepenhuis), Marktstraat 7, 9990 Maldegem, T , toerisme@maldegem.be, (node 10) 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. Info: Toerisme Sint-Laureins, Dorpsstraat 87, 9980 Sint-Laureins, T , kathleen.seynhaeve@sint-laureins.be, Around the Sint-Barbara church in Maldegem The Nood Gods by the Master of Frankfurt Heart of Zomergem Tourist Guide Meetjesland

10 Out Folk game of Krulbol 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 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. Info: Expo Krulbol, Doornzele Dries, 9940 Evergem, Belgische Krulbolbond T , often 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, 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. Info: 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 Eel in Sint-Laureins years. The people of Bardelaere will welcome you with open arms. Bardelaere is a funny place full of petites histoires. 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. Info: 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 ) 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. Info: Toerisme Sint-Laureins, Dorpsstraat 87, 9980 Sint- Laureins, T , dienstvrijetijd@sint-laureins.be, Krulbol in the Meetjesland Bardelaere Museum on the edge of the Lembeekse Bossen Tourist Guide Meetjesland

11 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. Beer museum t Aards Paradijs 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. 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-turned-café 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. Info: Het Biermuseum, Kuipstraat 36, 9940 Ertvelde, T , hetbiermuseum@hotmail.com Regional beer Augustijn Tourist Guide Meetjesland

12 Colophon This digital tourist Guide Meetjesland 2013 in foreign languages is an initiative by Tourism East Flanders vzw and Tourism Meetjesland vzw. This publication finds his origin in the Interreg IVB project Collabor8 (period ) in which we promoted collaboration between regional tourist entrepreneurs. Responsible Editor: Toerisme Meetjesland, Mevr. Rita De Coninck, Bus 1, 9900 Eeklo, T , info@toerismemeetjesland.be Editing: Bart Van Damme 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, Sirka Lüdtke Campaign styling: Lay-out: Photography: Toerisme Meetjesland, Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen, David Stockman, Michel Vyncke, Daniël de Kievith, Koen Van Waesberghe David Stockman, Michel Vyncke, Daniël de Kievith, Koen Van Waesberghe