Bruges and the coastal route

A ferry operated here until 1917. The canal connecting Ostend and Bruges was formerly called Yperleet, a residue of the schorre and silt region after the Dunkirk Transgression. The Yperleet was transformed into a canal in the 17th century and remained a point of contention between the cities of Ypres and Bruges. Nieuwege is a hamlet where ships used to stop. Numerous farmhouses lined the water. Two old ones remain before the bridge. The southernmost inn was called St. Antheunishoeve and the other one St. Clarahoeve. One of these boatmen's lodgings is still open, on the other side of the bridge. Author: BMW Cycling RoutesMore information

Plasschendaele, in Dutch Plassendale, is a hamlet of Oudemburg. It is situated at the junction of the Nieuwpoort-Plasschendaele Canal with the Bruges-Ostend Canal. It is best known for its old protected locks that still have to be opened by hand. The historical maritime connection between Bruges and the North Sea via the Zwin was silted up in the 17th century. During the Eighty Years' War, access from Ghent to the Westerschelde became impossible due to the blockade of the Sea Beggar who had taken over Zeeland Flanders. Flanders no longer had a link to the sea. Ostend was presented as the most important port. The Ghent-Ostend canal was built with a lock in Plasschendaele. This lock was therefore of great economic importance and a real fort was built around it. When Sas-Slijkens was completed in Ostend, the locks and the importance of Plasschendaele disappeared. Author: WikipediaMore information

The polar explorer Adrien de Gerlache was responsible for the design of this imposing sailing ship, which set sail in 1932. The Mercator has made dozens of sea voyages and carried illustrious passengers, including the remains of Father Damien and two 'Moai' sculptures from the Easter Islands. Author: TouringMore information

Mu.ZEE is the museum par excellence of Belgian art, offering optimal openness and accessibility. It tells stories through a unique collection of Belgian art from 1830 to the present day. Its authoritative exhibition programme and collection policy enable it to engage with the international art scene. Artists and the public find themselves in this museum where they can experiment, question and discover.Additional information:-Suitable for children-Accessible for people with disabilities-For young people between 12 and 16 years oldContact:- Mu.ZEE- Romestraat 11, 8400 Oostende- Tel: +32 59 50 81 18- Fax: +32 59 80 56 26- E-Mail: info@muzee.be- Web: www.kunstmuseumaanzee.beauteur: Westtoer's bezienswaardighedenFurther information

3rd April 1995. On that day, the Amandine returned to port for the last time and dropped anchor for the last time. The crew disembarked and returned home without looking back. Thus ended the story of Ostend fishing in the Icelandic seas. 13 years later, the Amandine began a new career as an interactive museum. It took two years of hard work and concentration in the former 'Seghers' shipyard to restore the ship to its former glory. But it is there. Today you can visit it in the very heart of Ostend, on the renovated Fisherman's WharfAdditional information:-Tourist group-Suitable for children-For young people between 12 and 16 years oldContact:- Amandine- Vindictivelaan 35-z, 8400 Ostend- Tel: +32 59 23 43 01- Fax: +32 59 23 77 29- E-Mail: info@museum-amandine.be- Web: www.museum-amandine.beaccès: 2/2 euroAuthor: Westtoer's bezienswaardighedenFurther information

The Leopold II-laan elegantly skirts around Ostend's most famous female statue: 'De Zee' (the Sea). Sometimes called 'Liggend Naakt' (reclining nude), it is popularly known as 'Dikke Mathille'. Grard emphasises the volume of curved, full forms. In 'De Zee', he depicts the generosity and sensuality of the sea in a female body. The work of art adorned the Kursaal until 1963.Contact:- Dikke Mathille- Leopold II-laan, 8400 Oostende- E-Mail: info@visitoostende.be- Web: www.visitoostende.beauteur: Westtoer's bezienswaardighedenFurther information

Do not be afraid to cross the threshold. To understand the master, you must have visited his house at least once. The display cabinets full of crazy, bizarre and surprising objects will already put you in the mood. Additional information:-Individual tour-Tourist groupContact:- James Ensorhuis- Vlaanderenstraat 27, 8400 Oostende- Tel: +32 59 50 81 18- Fax: +32 59 80 56 26- E-Mail: info@muzee.be- Web: www.muzee.beaccès: 2 euroAuthor: Westtoer's bezienswaardighedenMore information

Free ferry between the centre (Visserskaai) and the 'Oosteroever' (Maritime Square) for up to 30 persons and up to 10 bicycles. Accessible for wheelchair users. Disembarkation is obligatory after each crossing! Daily crossings in the period 1/10 - 31/3: From 07.45 hrs. Pause between 12.40 and 13.30 hrs. Last crossing Centre > East Banks: 17.55 hrs. Last crossing East Banks > Centre: 18.05 hrs. Daily crossings in the period 1/4 - 30/9: From 06.30 hrs. Last crossing Centre > East Banks: 20.40 hrs (23.40 hrs on Friday/Saturday/summer holidays). Last crossing East Banks > Centre: 20.50 hrs (23.50 hrs on Friday/Saturday/summer holidays).

At the end of the 18th century, our regions were annexed by France and Napoleon, fearing an English attack on the port of Ostend, had a fort built in the dunes in 1811. After the fall of Napoleon in 1814, the building fell prey to theft and vandalism.During the two world wars, the fort served as an artillery headquarters for the German army. For a time, the fort was used as a museum and later as a children's playground. Then the monument started to fall into disrepair. Since 1995, Fort Napoleon has been managed by the Flemish Heritage Association. After 5 years of restoration work, it was opened to the public in April 2000. Additional information:-Audio guide-Educational programme-Tourist group-Suitable for children-Accessible for disabled peopleContact:- Fort Napoleon- Vuurtorenweg z/n, 8400 Oostende- Tel: +32 59 32 00 48- Fax: +32 59 32 00 56- E-Mail: fort.napoleon@erfgoed-vlaanderen.be- Web: www.fortnapoleon.beaccès: 75 euroAuthor: Westtoer's bezienswaardighedenMore information

This area of Anglo-Norman villas was built on a large piece of dune granted in 1889 by an emphyteutic lease to private individuals to build a romantic Belle Époque neighbourhood. De Haan owes its architectural style to the German town planner Joseph Stübben. The listed tram station and the villa district to the north of the tram line are eloquent examples of Norman half-timbered architecture, typical of the Belle Époque style on our coast. A walk through this area is highly recommended and gives you a taste of the atmosphere in 1900.Author: Westtoer's bezienswaardighedenMore information

On the second highest dune (31 m) on the coast, a small white pavilion with a red roof stands: the Spioenkop. It offers a superb view of the polders, the hedged farmland and the coastal plain. At the foot of the dune is the Rotunda, 'the place to be' for sun worshippers, fishermen, bowlers and children.Author: Westtoer's bezienswaardighedenMore information

Would you like to discover the deepest secrets of the underwater world? Visit Sea Life, where more than 50 aquariums and 2500 animals await you. As you walk through the spectacular ocean tunnel, you'll even see sharks swimming over your head and alongside you. Don't miss the seals and penguins either. Children can also have fun at the Pirates' Minigolf course next door. Additional information:-Tourist group-Child-friendly-Shop-Accessible for disabled people-For young people between 12 and 16 years oldContact:- National Sea Life Marine Park- Koning Albert 1 Laan 116, 8370 Blankenberge- Tel: +32 50 42 43 00- Fax: +32 50 42 44 27- Web: www.sealife.beaccès: 10/10 euroAuthor: Westtoer's bezienswaardighedenFurther information