The best running trails around Calmeynbos

A modernist religious building, original in its form, the materials used, and its very simple interior: constructed of concrete, glass concrete, and steel, the color of its walls evokes that of dunes, its shape that of a hull. Its steel roof, covered with blue tiles, is shaped like two waves breaking into one another; it is surmounted by a copper sphere 1.20 meters in diameter and a cross 5.5 meters high. The light that enters through contemporary stained-glass windows, the work of the Chartres master glassmaker Gabriel Loire, has given rise to its other name, the "cathedral of lights." When the sun's rays pass through them, the effect is magnificent. A protected monument since 2005, it is well worth a visit.

These striking statues can be placed alongside monuments like the Statue of Liberty (New York) or Christ the Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro) thanks to their heroic-realistic character. Originally, such statues served as guides, but now they've become true must-sees. The three heads are also true wiseguys: each stubbornly looks in a different direction: towards France, England, or the Belgian countryside.

With only a pedestal for a body and their identical faces, the Three Wise Men of De Panne brave the elements. Their monolithic stature towers over the coastline. They fit into a tradition of realistic, public sculptures with a heroic function, such as the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, the Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro, or, in the distant past, the Colossus of Rhodes. They stand as guardians or guardian angels for those sailing the sea, and as symbolic protectors of a port or coastal city. Originally serving as a welcoming beacon or guidepost, these statues have become a tourist attraction over time, from a point of reference to the destination itself. Originally, "wisdom" was a colloquial term for a scholar or wise person; now, it's used to describe a know-it-all who confuses wisdom with arrogance. With "The Three Wise Men of De Panne," Jos de Gruyter and Harald Thys have combined the original meaning with an extremely literal interpretation: the "pointing" of the nose. Nothing is as effectively guiding as a human nose; as laughable and banal as it is insurmountable and fundamental. Over each other's heads, the wise men look towards England, France, and the interior respectively, their gaze fixed on infinity. The thoughts, observations, and enigmatic knowledge of their gigantic minds likely extend from these three areas and reach much further. Source: https://www.dekust.be/beaufort-de-drie-wijsneuzen-van-de-panne

On July 17, 1831, then-Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg arrived in De Panne, shortly after Belgium's independence. In 1958, this statue was unveiled by then-mayor Gevaert in the presence of King Baudouin.

Petrus Decreton may not sound familiar, but you'll probably recognize his nickname, Pier Kloeffe. The Icelandic explorer who regularly fished on the beach after the First World War was immortalized in a bronze statue by Louis Van Den Eynde. Source: https://www.strandverblijf.be/nl/wandelingen/beeldenroute-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

The sculptor is Fernand Vanderplancke, and the bronze caster is Peter Berghman (Roeselaere, 1964). In 1994, De Panne commissioned Bruges sculptor Fernand Vanderplancke, who lives in Oostduinkerke, to create a work of art that references the sea and is constantly in motion. The result is three seagulls atop a 7-meter-high pole. "The stylized seagulls symbolize the freedom that is central to a beach holiday at De Panne. The seagulls are connected at only a few points and hang on a pole at a height of seven meters." Source: De Panne, beeld voor beeld, Cultuurdienst

A magnificent viewpoint on the edge of the nature reserve. Climb this platform and be tempted to dive into the dunes. Hiking trails lead you through an oasis of tranquility.