The best city hikes and walks around Veurne

Quiet and beautiful surroundings with the necessary information boards to compare the renovated park with the past.

The spider often has negative connotations: it's a dirty little creature, it can be dangerous, etc. But Monique Mol uses the spider as a symbol of (feminine) creative power: the spider weaves a web of connection and solidarity. Source: https://www.strandverblijf.be/nl/wandelingen/beeldenroute-de-panne

In 1877, Benjamin Crombez commissioned the construction of a Neo-Romanesque church, intended for Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish services. Explanation: The St. Bernard's Church in Nieuwpoort-Bad is located a few dozen meters from the seawall. It is the only church along the Belgian coast whose main portal directly overlooks the sea. The first St. Bernard's Church was built in 1877 by commission of landowner Benjamin Crombez. He envisioned the place of worship as a place for all religions and faith communities. The building was destroyed during the First World War. The existing Neo-Romanesque church dates from 1923. During the Second World War, the building suffered considerable damage. The 1947 repairs therefore contribute to its current appearance. The yellow brick facades rest on a bluestone plinth. The stylistic distinction from the Gothic churches of Nieuwpoort-Stad, Ramskapelle, and Sint-Joris is immediately apparent. In the Romanesque style, the round arch dominates, while ornamentation is generally minimal. However, the stylistic purity has been somewhat compromised by the use of buttresses against the tower and aisles, a Gothic element. In 2012, St. Bernard's Church underwent a thorough restoration. This included addressing the facades of the place of worship. The artwork "Procession of the Dutch Army to Ostend" hangs in the entrance hall of St. Bernard's Church. The engravings depict the advance of Prince Maurits van Nassau and his army toward Ostend, following the victory at the Battle of Nieuwpoort on July 2, 1600. The drawings show how 885 people, primarily Utrecht students, re-enacted this remarkable procession on June 16, 1836. Source: https://www.nieuwpoort.be/sint-bernarduskerk-2

This semi-detached cottage-style house, designed by architect Georges Hobé, dates from around 1900. The entrance to villa Les Eglantines (French for honey briar) is shared with that of villa Les Argousiers (French for sea buckthorn) and is situated beneath a projecting gable roof of slate. The bricks are painted, and the windows are strongly divided. The pseudo-half-timbering is reminiscent of Normandy architecture. However, on our coast, we rarely encounter true half-timbering; the beam structure is not made of wood and is not part of the load-bearing elements of the facade. What we see is imitation or pseudo-half-timbering, a stucco grid with a thin wooden cladding that is, as it were, glued to the facade. Therefore, we cannot speak of a structural function. Another typical feature of the Belle Époque period found in the facade of the semi-detached house is the separate cellar entrance for the staff. It reflects the "upstairs, downstairs" principle and allows the staff to work quietly yet efficiently. The basement houses the kitchen, laundry room, ironing room, and storage and pantry spaces, among other things. The "monte-plats," a small elevator, brings prepared dishes close to the dining room, where a servant can serve them quickly and discreetly. Source: Walking Guide Heritage Walk De Panne

For the affluent middle class, the sea wall served as a kind of urban boulevard at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, perfect for strolling. Not only the sea wall, but also the buildings along it reflect this urban living culture. The villas form a continuous development and are situated on narrow plots. Furthermore, the facades always face the sea, ensuring optimal views of the beach and the water. All these characteristics are still evident in Villa Doudou. This cottage-style house from 1901 was designed by Albert and Alexis Dumont and was originally called "Titikot." It is a narrow, deep house with three stories under a mansard roof. The sea view clearly takes precedence here, as the front door is located on the first floor (half a floor above street level) and opens directly onto the living room, making the living space the width of the building plot. The use of beveled windows also contributes to this effect. The house has a separate service entrance that leads directly into the basement and is intended for staff. The villa is a protected monument, but today it sits wedged between two tall apartment buildings, a typical image of current coastal development. Source: Walking Guide Heritage Walk De Panne

When Brussels painter Louis Van den Eynde discovered De Panne and the North Sea coast shortly after the First World War, his life and work took a new turn. In 1927, he commissioned architects Myriam Dumont and Gustave Remy to build this summer residence in a regionally traditional brick style with references to a more minimalist cottage style. The painter's octagonal studio takes up most of the ground floor. This spacious studio, featuring a large central ceiling window, was fully equipped to meet the artist's needs. In 1997, Georges Goossens-Van den Eynde donated his father-in-law's artistic estate to the municipality of De Panne. The studio house has been a protected monument since 2002. The original interior furnishings have been largely preserved. Source: Heritage Walk De Panne Walking Guide

Eastduinkerke

A pleasant, charming square perfect for a relaxing break. Enjoy the beautifully preserved, colorful cottage-style buildings. The flowerbeds and benches create a sense of tranquility. The war memorial, in the form of a bronze Nike with a laureate helmet and dagger on a bluestone pedestal, is the square's focal point. The memorial's inscription reads: "To our comrades in arms, fallen for justice and freedom. 1914-1918."