The best city hikes and walks in Westhoekduinen, Duinen Van Cabour, De Moeren En Plateau Van Izenberge

Starting point of our bike tour along the Belgian coast...

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

Desmarets' sculpture "Samen op Stap" (Together on the Walk) depicts an everyday scene: a man walking his dog. The dynamism of the sculpture is typical of the artist, who captures human mobility in a static metal like bronze. Source: https://www.strandverblijf.be/nl/wandelingen/beeldenroute-de-panne

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

De Panne's beach is the widest in Belgium and lies near the French border at the western tip of the Flemish coast. This makes De Panne the westernmost coastal municipality before you set foot in France. A mix of this French flair, nature, sports, and the wide beach await you.

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 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."