East - Flanders

A few good reasons
Regions
Maps
Usefull links

A few good reasons

A variety of landscapes, arts and culture, water recreation, gastronomy and numerous cycle and walking routes
are the ingredients of the tourist menu that East Flanders is offering

Landscapes

Ghent, situated in the centre of East Flanders, is surrounded by rural regions, each with its own specific landscape and character, worth to be discovered.

The most northern part of East Flanders is criss-crossed by channels and creeks, remnants of the countless floods that have ravaged this area in the past. They are a favourite dwelling for many different types of birds and other fauna. This is flat countryside at its best; an ever-changing, green sequence of long distance views. An organised trip by covered wagon is highly recommended to discover this peaceful pastoral region.

In the southern part of East Flanders, the Flemish Ardennes is a particularly picturesque region with wooded hills, stunning panorama's, numerous wind and watermills, farmhouses and castles, the valley of the Scheldt, and many idyllic village centres, often hidden, but always a revelation. This magnificent countryside, only a stone’s throw away from cities like Ghent, Brussels and Tournai, is a treasure any tourist will cherish.

East of Ghent, lies an area which has gained international fame for its floriculture and plant growing. Here are cultivated the world famous azaleas and begonias, that are shown twice a year at the flower show in Beervelde and at the Ghent Floralies, an international five-yearly horticultural exhibition. Next exhibition is planned from April 15th until April 24Th 2005

West of Ghent, the river Lys meanders picturesquely through a charming landscape that has been a source of inspiration for many artists living in the area.

Art & Culture

The fine decor of the river Lys inspires visitors to enjoy art and nature, as it was one of the favourite subjects of the Lys school of painters, the ‘Latemse School’, whose work is shown in several museums and art galleries in the area.

One of Belgium’s most important contemporary artists, Roger Raveel, has his own striking museum in Machelen aan de Leie, with a large collection of graphic works, objects, about 300 paintings and more than 2500 drawings.

Situated in one of the bends of the river Lys, at about 15 kilometers of Ghent, the Castle Ooidonk is undoubtedly one of the pearls of the region. Being a shining example of the 16th century Hispanic-Flemish architecture it is known as one of the most beautiful castles in Flanders. Both the exterior and interior will impress the visitor.

At about 12 kilometers East of Ghent, in the renowned floriculture and plant growing area, the Castle of Laarne can be visited as well. This medieval fortress houses not only many pieces of furniture and art objects, but also a remarkable collection of European silver from the 15th till the 18th century.

But also Oudenaarde, about 25 kilometers from Ghent, was a centre of the silversmiths’ trade from the 15th till the 18th century. In the Silverroom of the Town Hall a magnificent collection of silverware is exhibited.
And Oudenaarde has more to offer. With its 1000 years old history, the city has beautiful examples of monumental architecture, and a historic but lively centre, which is so typical for many Flemish cities. The highlight is the late Gothic Town Hall with its Cloth Hall. Together with over 100 other classified monuments and houses it makes Oudenaarde the 2nd most important art town in East Flanders. Historic tapestries from Oudenaarde, ‘the verdures’, decorate walls all over the world! Oudenaarde still cherishes the memory of its master weavers. The Cloth Hall houses a treasure of tapestries. In the House of Lalaing the restoration of antique tapestries is shown and new tapestries with contemporary designs are woven using classic techniques.

A little downstream along the Scheldt lies Ename, one of Oudenaarde’s municipalities. In the Provincial Archaelogical Museum, one can dig into the past by means of Timescope. The emphasis lies on the evolution of the region from some thousand years ago to date.

In Sint-Niklaas, halfway between Ghent and Antwerp, the Mercatormuseum shows the original maps of the world and terrestrial globes made by this famous cartographer, Mercator whose native village was Rupelmonde, another beautiful town at the banks of the river Scheldt.

Water recreation

A glance at a map suffices to determine that East Flanders is rich in rivers, waterways and canals. For those who wish to discover East Flanders by water, there are numerous possibilities.
Boat trips are organised on the Scheldt, the Lys, the Dender and the Moervaart. You can choose from a variety of ready made packages. Excursions can be customer made as well. Lunch or dinner on board is highly recommended.

But also individual watersports are possible on the East Flemish rivers and canals and on the pools en lakes in the recreation centres e.g. De Gavers in Geraardsbergen and Puyenbroeck in Wachtebeke. Mini-yachts can be rented and canoeing trips can be organised for smaller and larger groups.

Gastronomy

Beer, gin, chocolate, pastries and ham… all made in East Flanders.

The art of brewing is understood nowhere better than in East Flanders. The tradition of fermenting and ripening brown ales and fruit beers is hundreds of years old. Oudenaarde once had a dozen breweries, nowadays this tradition lives on in 4 active breweries. Also in other smaller cities and towns as Buggenhout, Ninove, Zottegem and Herzele there are still several small family breweries. Learn more about the secrets of brewing and taste the delicious beers during a guided visit.

Visiting and tasting is also possible at gin distilleries.

Coming to Flanders, tasting chocolate is a must! Making chocolate truffles is an art, you can learn more about watching the artisanal confectioners.

Every city or town is very proud of his own pastry speciality. The 'mattentaart' is tourist ambassador of the city Geraardsbergen. This pastry biscuit is puffed with white cheese, made by adding buttermilk to boiling milk, and makes a tasty dessert or snack.
The name Ganda is the old Celtic name for the city of Ghent, these days it's part of the brand of a real delicacy. The colour, taste and aroma of Ganda Ham are the result of a long maturing process, without the addition of nitrates and nitrites.
Another famous ham is the Breydelham , made in Gavere.
At both firms, company visits can be arranged on request.

Cycle and walking routes

More than 50 signposted cycle and walking routes criss cross the countryside.

Guided cycling tours are highly recommended for an easy an comfortable discovery of the wide variety of landscapes in East Flanders’ rural regions from the flat countryside in the northern part to the green hills and valleys in the southern part. Guided tours can also be organised in themes as gastronomy, arts, etc.

Cyclists can emulate the competitors of the famous Tour of Flanders cycling race and try to conquer the frighteningly steep cobblestone roads.

February 2003, the Centre of the Tour of Flanders (Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen) was opened in Oudenaarde. This modern museum with an interactive multimedia approach offers 10 themes, 12 alter egos and lots of sportive experiments to make you feel the heroic ambiance of the biggest sporting event in Flanders.

Regions

De Vlaamse Ardennen
Leiestreek
Meetjesland
Waasland
Schelde- en Denderstreek

Map

Usefull links

Tourism East-Flanders www.tov.be
Official website of East-Flanders www.oost-vlaanderen.be
Tourism Flanders www.visitflanders.be
Groot Vleeshuis - Promotional center for regional products of East Flanders http://www.oost-vlaanderen.be/public/economie_landbouw/