The 10 things to do in Oriental Flanders

Get out of the beaten paths with these 10 essential things to do in Oriental Flanders!

Without access to the sea unlike its western neighbour, the province is surrounded to the north by the Netherlands and to the east by the province of Antwerp . Its capital and main tourist city is Ghent but outside this, the Oriental Flanders remains little known.

She has more than one attraction. We discover the richness of its architecture, a testament to its flourishing business and its textile industry. You can also learn that it was a French day under the name of the department of Escaut.

There are famous cycling stages before enjoying some comforting gastronomic specialties. In short, to make it short, she deserves to go for a ride.

Here are some ideas of escapades with these 10 essential things to visit in Oriental Flanders.

1. Ghent

It is the pearl to visit in Oriental Flanders but it is often uncommon compared to Bruges or Antwerp. Yet spending several days is the promise of making beautiful discoveries.

Just like its almost neighbor Bruges, it offers beautiful buildings, including the cathedral, which recall the richness of the medieval city. It is fun to stroll along the canals whose docks fill in the beautiful days.

Among the unmissable visits, there is also the impressive castle of the Counts of Flanders, which dates back to the 12th century. The huge fortress stands a bit away from the city centre, surrounded by doves. Not to mention his museums, including the Beaux-Arts, which house masterpieces by Van Eyck, Rubens and Magritte.

But Ghent is not content with his old stones and modern architecture lovers are not left behind. The municipal hall or the De Krook library are beautiful examples with the Tour des Livres designed by Van de Velde.

Finally, the city is the new spot of gastronomy with a young scene that turns to beer and vegetarian. We take the bets that you will not be disappointed by this city-trip in Ghent!

2. Audenarde

Oudenaarde , in Flemish, saw Charles Quint pass and is the birthplace of his daughter, Marguerite de Parme, future governor of Netherlands .

Today, the city is worth a stop for its large square and its old buildings that range from medieval to baroque style to classic. All is dominated by the belfry and the Gothic city hotel which is undoubtedly the most beautiful building in the city.

If you have the opportunity, visit the interiors. Take a tour also at the MOU Museum in the 14th-century flag hall to discover the history of the Flemish Ardennes and traditional tapestries of the city.

You can finish your getaway by following the "Udenaarde ride over the centuries" designed by the city.

3. The tour of the breweries

Visit the Oriental Flanders without passing through the local beer discovery box is a sacrilege. Indeed, the region has some of the most famous beers in the world.

Belgian brewing culture has been ranked in Unesco since 2016. And the city of Oudenaarde houses two famous ones. The Liefmans brewery has been in existence since 1679 and produces a cherry beer. An exceptional fact that deserves to be emphasized, it is directed by the first master-brewer woman of Belgium.

The buildings built on the banks of the Escaut are visiting. It is an opportunity to learn more about the unique local microflora that would give all its flavour to beer.

You can also discover the Roman brewery, also located in Oudenaarde. It is the oldest family brewery in the country and the visit is necessarily unique.

If you are rather attracted to the stars, the city of Melle houses a size, the Huyghes brewery that produces Delirium and its pink elephant.

4. Grammont and Bosberg

What if to visit the Oriental Flanders rimmed with measuring themselves to the great cyclists? Amateurs know it, the region welcomes the famous Tour de Flanders. And among the most famous stages are the Bosberg and the Grammont wall.

That’s how you’re warned and you know that you’re going to have to press the pedals. You can really measure yourself to the stars of discipline thanks to a chip that you put on your bike and which time you. But if you prefer to declare a package against professionals, no worries!

It is always possible to climb the paved road on foot to see the chapel of Notre-Dame d’Oudenberg in neo-baroque style. The rest with views of the surrounding bucolic landscapes will be equally deserved.

Also enjoy being in Grammont to see the real Manneken Pis. Indeed, that of the city is much older than that of Brussels , dated 1459. You should be able to take it in a photo without anyone around.

5. The maton pie

As long as you are in Grammont and especially if you have climbed the famous wall, take the time to taste a maton pie. Since 2007, there is only one in this city and in Lierde you can eat it, it is the local specialty.

For ingredients, it’s very simple, you need paste, sugar, eggs and this maton. It’s actually a scrambled milk obtained from whole milk and battered milk. Nothing like that to get used to.

6. Alost

Aalst is one of his small towns which he makes a good visit to Flanders Orientale. Built on the edges of Dendre Brussels and Ghent, of course, has one of her big places that make the reputation of the region.

Do not miss the belfry and the House of the Echevines or the Stock Exchange. Close to the train station, you can go to a Art Nouveau neighbourhood inspired by Vienna’s style.

At the municipal museum, stop in front of the reproduction of the press that served Dirk Martens, the first in his profession, to print the writings of Christopher Columbus.

There are still lots of other curiosities to discover in Alost like buffalo, statues scattered this and there without forgetting some sweets.

7. The hauling paths

They designate the paths that were used to fly from the land of river boats inside the continent. Some are still used today.

Cycling is one of the many activities you can do in Oriental Flanders because the region is not missing. Among the best known, you have those who walk along the Scheldt between Ghent and Antwerp.

On the programme, there are beautiful landscapes, of course, with bird watching but also the discovery of charming cities and villages like Termonde. The paths of Lys are also known.

8. The Verbeke Foundation

The least we can say is that this museum to visit in Oriental Flanders decodes! It is located in Kemzeke and is the realm of insane and unusual works. To give you an idea, you can sleep in a giant reproduction of an intestine.

Don’t worry, it’s not just that, but it’s better to be warned. The owner, Geert, is a former manager in road transport, passionate about contemporary art, who decided to keep the buildings and park of his company to expose artists.

There is, among other things, a huge collection of collages, several thousand, including Geert. The foundation covers all periods of the art of the contemporary era of Dadaism to bio-art.

It is also towards this last, controversial trend, that many of the works presented turn out. We're not gonna hide it from you, some might give high-hearts, you know before.

9. Dendermonde

In Dutch, the name of the city means "the mouth of Dendre". You know where to find her now, but in French, she's called Termonde. You are greeted by several statues of the "Chance Bayard", legendary mount celebrated in the songs since the Middle Ages.

Legend says henniating it at night in the valleys and forets. Start your stroll through the large square where you can admire a beautiful built heritage at a terrace.

Push the city hotel door and listen to the belfry carillon ring the hours. You can also go for a tour of the old hall transformed into a museum.

Then take the direction of the edges of Dendre to see the beautiful courthouse. Push the curiosity to the charming crushing, a place of calm par excellence. Hidden behind a little covered passage, he deserves the detour.

10. The Castle of Ooidonk

With the castle of Ghent, it is certainly the one you should not forget to visit in Oriental Flanders. The site is worth a look at itself because the monument is built in a meander of the Lys and is surrounded by water.

The architecture is original with a Hispano-Flemish renaissance style. Its towers are particularly overcame with bulbs, while the gabled gables are typical of Northern Europe. Let's be chauvins, there's a little air Chambord too!

The building, though still inhabited, is visiting, as well as the gardens with an additional ticket. If you are lucky, maybe it will be the Count himself who will serve you as a guide.

The advantage is that the castle has preserved its elements of interior decors and its old furniture intact.

How to get to Oriental Flanders?

By plane

To visit the Oriental Flanders by the air, you have a choice. The province is easily accessible from Antwerp and Brussels international airports.

You just need to take a train or a bus to rally the destination of your choice. To have in a blink of an eye all the available options, you can go to a flight comparison like Skyscanner and choose according to your criteria.

By train

The high-speed trains of the European network serve Brussels and Antwerp stations. Correspondence must then be taken to the chief town, Ghent, or other cities in the province.

By car

The Oriental Flanders is located in the Antwerp-Gand-Brussels triangle which corresponds to the country's highest population density. The province is very well served by the motorway network.

From Lille For example, just follow the A22 To get to Ghent.

Where to stay in Oriental Flanders?

With Ghent at the forefront of tourist cities to visit in Oriental Flanders, you will not have trouble finding charming accommodations.

With their beautiful architecture typical of Northern Europe, the old houses of the province are privileged settings for charming hotels and Airbnb with sharp design.

And this, even in villages like Alost and Dendermonde . You also find in the countryside of guest houses and gites. To give you an idea of the offer available, do not hesitate to go to a site Compare hotels .