The best cycling routes around Lo-Reninge

The harbor in Ypres, known locally as "De Kaaie," is actually the Ieperlee, which runs beneath the city of Ypres and becomes visible again there. At the Drie Grachten (Three Canals), the Ieperlee is joined by the Martjevaart canal, which originates in Merkem. Drie Grachten is a hamlet in the west of Merkem where the three canals converge: the Martjevaart canal, the Ypres-IJzer canal (also known as the Ieperlee Canal), and the Ieperlee itself. Drie Grachten is also known for the battles during World War I, in which the French, including the Zouaves, fought against the Germans. After a failed attack on the German outpost at Luigem, the Germans captured a number of Zouaves. They launched a counterattack but hid behind the captured Zouaves to prevent the French Zouaves from firing on them, thinking they were their own men returning. At one point, one of the captured Zouaves reportedly shouted: "Tirez donc au nom de Dieu, ce sont les Boches!" (For God's sake, these are the Boches!). Immediately after the warning, a French salvo erupted, mowing down both the Germans and the captured Zouaves. The Zouaves of Northern France (Union des Zouaves du Nord) continued to commemorate this after the war. Luigem is a hamlet 1 kilometer east of Drie Grachten and 1 kilometer west of the center of Noordschote. The Zouaves (French: zouaves) were a light infantry unit of the French Army, associated with French North Africa.

The castle isn't open to the public except for specific events, so check the calendar. It's located just across from Beauvoorde's beautiful church and cemetery. A little further down the street, you'll also find the old pancake bakery and pancake house. You used to be able to visit both, but now there's a vending machine selling the famous Beauvoorde pancakes.

The Caesarsboom is an old yew tree (also known as poison tree) in the town of Lo in the Belgian Westhoek region. The tree is one of Lo's typical symbols and is located next to the medieval Westpoort gate. The name refers to a legend about Julius Caesar, who is said to have taken a nap under the tree in 55 BC on his way to Britain and tied his horse to it. The story goes back to the historian Jean-Baptiste Gramaye, who was the first to allow Caesar to pass through Lo in 1612. In reality, the Caesarsboom is approximately 250 years old. A painting from the late 18th century depicts its predecessor in full maturity. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesarsboom

ON 23 JULY 1827, THE FOUNDATION STONE WAS LAID BY THE HIGHLY HONOURABLE COUNT FERDINAND DEBAILLET, GOVERNOR OF THE PROVINCE OF WEST FLANDERS, CHAMBERL OF HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF THE NETHERLANDS, WILLIAM THE FIRST.

Sailing junction between Yser and Lovaart

Well-preserved old city gate

The Boezinge - Drie-Grachten cycle path is a beautiful route along the Ypres-IJzer Canal, ideal for cyclists who love peace and nature. This path runs for miles along the water and offers a historical and picturesque environment.

The canal played an important role in Ypres’ medieval cloth industry and was a strategic location during the First World War, with monuments commemorating the war, such as the John McCrae Site and the Van Raemdonck brothers monument. Today, the canal is mainly used for recreation, such as walking, cycling and boating.