Flanders Coastal Cruise
The Westhoek, also known as Flanders Fields, is much more than the many memories and memorials of the First World War. The region is sandwiched between the Belgian coast with its dune ridge and the West Flemish hills, between Bruges-Ostend and the French border.
This is a land of plenty for gourmets as well. Veurne is known for its potjesvlees and babelutten. Who doesn’t know Westvleteren Abbey beer? Here Jules Destrooper bakes his world-famous butter waffels, called “lukken”. And when we are in Nieuwpoort, you certainly must taste the fresh North Sea grey shrimps.
The Westhoek is also ideal to explore some very picturesque cities like Poperinge, Kemmel, or Cassel and Belle (Bailleul), just across the French border. You can experience all this and much more on a boating holiday with barge Johanna. Read more…
Westhoek tour full of surprising gems...
On all our cruises, you can choose what you want to do and which places you wish to visit. Below are just a few options.
Bruges, on the edge of the polders
First, we sail along the ramparts of beautiful Bruges with its historic gates and windmills. After 9 movable bridges and the Dampoort Lock, the canal continues through the polders towards Ostend. Lined with trees, the canal meanders between flat fields and farmlands, where a pumping station pumps water from the streams into the canal.
Oudenburg: Romans and St. Arnold
Passing through the Plassendale lock, classified as a historical monument, we reach the canal to Nieuwpoort. Oudenburg is our first stop. Here, Saint Arnold, patron saint of brewers, founded the Saint Peter’s Abbey in 1184. Today, it is also home to the Roman Archaeological Museum and the St. Arnoldus Visitor Centre. After your visit, don’t forget to sample the beer of the same name.
An excursion to Ostend is another option: the lively spa with the James Ensor house, Mu.ZEE with Belgian artists, the Atlantikwall in Raversyde or the Napoleontic Fortress
Nieuwpoort and the coast
After a few hours of sailing on the Plassendale – Nieuwpoort canal, we moor near the De Ganzepoot lock complex. Here, in 1914, the Yser Plain was flooded to halt the advance of the German armies. From the top of the Albert I Monument, you have a beautiful view of the five locks. Fresh fish and shrimp are delivered daily to the fish market, which is certainly worth a visit. Or perhaps you’re more in the mood for a dune walk, a bike ride along the “Frontzate,” or enjoying contemporary art… it is all possible here in Nieuwpoort.
Diksmuide, war and peace
Sailing on the Yser, we pass the Trench of Death and stop in the center of Diksmuide beneath the Yser Tower and PAX Gate. The First World War has certainly left its mark on this small town and its surroundings. An excursion including a visit to the Jules Destrooper biscuit factory is also an option. Nature lovers will certainly get their money’s worth in De Blankaart or one of the 7 other nature reserves in the vicinity.
Ypres and the hilly country
Sailing between Diksmuide and Ypres, between the locks of Boezinge, you briefly imagine yourself on the Canal du Midi in France. Ypres is best known for its Flanders Fields Museum, the Menin Gate with the Last Post, and its triennial Cat Parade. By minibus, we drive to the Kemmelberg or even just across the border to Belle (Bailleul) or Cassel. The Saint Sixtus Abbey in West Vleteren is also nearby.
Veurne, the good life...
From Ypres, we sail back towards the Yser, to follow the narrow Lo Canal from Fintele to Veurne. During the war, this was the only remaining piece of free homeland, which can be viewed in the museum of the same name. Beer lovers might prefer to visit the Malt and Brewery De Snoek in nearby Fortem for a tasting of local beers. For those with a sweet tooth, there are also babelutten and other regional dishes to discover.
Depending on the schedule, the journey can also proceed in the reverse direction.
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