The best MTB trails around Bousbecque

St. Eligius Church: a church with scars ⛪ The St. Eligius Church in Westouter has a history dating back to the Middle Ages. The striking Romanesque octagonal east tower largely survived the devastation of the First World War. The bricked-up arch at the bottom still reveals the origin of the former basilica church. The rest of the church was rebuilt in 1922-1923 to a design by Jules Coomans, in the typical yellow polder brick. Around the church lie the Westouter British Cemetery and an impressive bluestone war memorial. A place where centuries of history and the scars of the Great War meet.

St. Eligius Church of Westouter: a church that remained standing ⛪ The St. Eligius Church of Westouter appears at first glance to be a neo-Gothic church, but a closer look reveals a much older story. The octagonal Romanesque east tower largely survived the destruction of the First World War. The bricked-up arch at the bottom still recalls the medieval cruciform church. After the war, the church was rebuilt in 1922-1923 to a design by Jules Coomans, with the typical yellow polder brick. This was not superfluous luxury, as the church had already experienced setbacks: in 1794, a fire destroyed the building, after which it was extended in the early 19th century. Even today, the war is still palpable here. The Westouter British Cemetery lies around the church, and in front of the church stands an impressive bluestone war memorial. A place where centuries of history and the scars of the Great War meet beautifully.

The summit of the slope lies between the Rodeberg and the Vidaigneberg. Near the summit stands the Lijstermolen (Listers Mill). A chairlift runs between the Baneberg and the Vidaigneberg, gliding over the saddle valley between the two "mountains" and the vineyards of the Entre-Deux-Monts, offering panoramic views of northern France and the Belgian coastal plain. The summit is 140 meters high. The name comes from the Bane family, who owned the mountain in the 13th and 14th centuries. The slope is also sometimes called Gildestraat (Gilde Street). https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baneberg

The parish was founded in 1069. Originally, there was a Romanesque cruciform church. Eventually, there was a three-aisled hall church with a crossing tower and an octagonal superstructure. In 1794, the church was destroyed by fire. From 1805 to 1807, the church was restored. The eastern choir was demolished, leaving the crossing tower, particularly its lower structure, to form a portal. On the west side, the nave was extended and a new choir was built. During the First World War, the church was largely destroyed, but the tower was more or less spared. The church was rebuilt in the 1920s under the architecture of Jules Coomans. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint-Eligiuskerk_(Westouter)

Fun to train with the mountain bike.

Beautiful bridge, beautiful views and border.

Small ditch to cross followed by a climb with a left turn

The Broel Towers are a protected monument, first dating back to 1386 & 1415 (second tower). They were built to control the traffic on the River Leie. They had to be rebuilt after the first and second world wars