The best traffic-free bike rides around Méteren

In 1526 a hall church was built. This had a crossing tower that dated from the 11th century and had a high spire, so that the total height was 45 meters. In 1902 this church was hit by fire. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godewaarsvelde

Church from 1932, by Louis-Marie and Louis-Stanislas Cordonnier. The church has features of the neo-Romanesque, neo-Byzantine and art-deco styles.

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This castle was the seat of the lordship of Flêtre. The Van Vleteren family ruled here, succeeded in 1364 by the Van Houtte family. Between 1364 and 1380, Jan van Houtte had a fortified castle built. It was equipped with a wooden gallery between the castle and the freestanding tower, from which the soldiers could hurl projectiles at the besiegers. Later, as military technology advanced, these were replaced by machicolations. In 1532, the lordship passed through marriage to the Wignacourt family. In 1656, Flêtre, under Jacob van Wignacourt, was elevated to a county. The last Count of Flêtre, Balthasar-Philippe de Wignacourt, died in poverty in 1810. During the French Revolution, the castle was expropriated and largely demolished to reuse the building materials. However, the keep was so massive that demolition was decided against. In the early 19th century, the estate was purchased by an industrialist, who built a house on the site of the demolished castle and converted the keep into a reception hall, with Louis XV-style wall paneling. Later, the estate was purchased by Edmond Vanuxem, a brewer in Ardres. He commissioned the construction of the current brick castle, completed in 1872. After the First World War, the moats were filled in. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasteel_van_Wignacourt

The church originally dates back to the 14th century, as we know that the lord of Vleteren, Jan van Houtte, was buried here in 1398. The church initially had two naves, and a third was added later. In 1727, the two oldest naves were demolished and replaced by two new ones, each as high as the third, creating a hall church. The church had no tower, but the bells hung in a bell tower (a freestanding bell tower in the shape of a closed wooden tower). In 1799, the church was sold publicly. However, the asking price was extremely high. The demolition crew was called in. This led to a popular uprising. Eventually, the parishioners were able to buy back the church for a much lower price. In 1903, a tower was completed and the bell tower was demolished. In 1906, there was another uprising, when the church property was inventoried in the context of the Separation of Church and State Act. The church was damaged during the First World War and also lost some of its treasures, including the 16th-century stained glass windows and a regency altarpiece. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint-Mattheuskerk_(Vleteren)

The current hall church is a 16th century Gothic-style conversion of the original Romanesque church from the second half of the 12th century. The brick part of the nave and the lower part of the tower are remains of the old church. The pseudo-Romanesque gable with rose window and part of the octagonal crossing tower are 19th century. In the church you will find the mausoleums of the first counts of Watou, Karel van Ydeghem (+ 1630) and Maria van Cortewyle and of the mystic Karel Grimminck (1676-1728). The church has been a protected monument since 1939. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint-Bavokerk_(Watou)

Picnic and rest area with benches, close to the top of the Katsberg with beautiful views over French Flanders.

Just 2 minutes from the Moulin de Boescheppe and the Estaminet de Vierpot, you'll find the "La Garonde" guesthouse, perfect for relaxing after a good ride! https://www.lagaronde.com/ This guesthouse has been awarded the "Accueil Vélo" (Cycling Welcome) label for all touring cyclists. ;)