Attractions and Places To See around Houtkerque - Top 20

In the town hall courtyard, an execution post commemorates the atrocities that took place here during World War I. At least eight soldiers faced the firing squad here. From 1916 onwards, the adjacent police cells were converted into "death cells," where the condemned soldiers spent their last night. At dawn, these soldiers were executed here (shot at dawn). To enhance the experience even further, text panels and a soundtrack explain the "shot at dawn" phenomenon. You can also visit the site with a guide. More information via toerisme@poperinge.be.

An accessible site consisting of cells and an execution post in the courtyard of Poperinge Town Hall, with various memorials and information boards. The town hall is located at Grote Markt 1-4, with a side wall overlooking Guido Gezellestraat. At least eight men were executed in the courtyard of Poperinge Town Hall: Botfield, Simmonds, Poole, Fryer, Stadman, Wall, Morris, and Gore. Perhaps Crampton and Wang Jungzhi should be added. It is also possible that several others buried in Poperinge New Military Cemetery, and perhaps also McFarlane, buried in Nine Elms Cemetery, appeared before the firing squad here. Several soldiers were also arrested here and held in police cells until they were returned to their units to appear before a court-martial: Byers, Eveleigh, Nelson, Roberts, J. Smith, Hyde, Welsh, and Hughes. Thousands of others of various nationalities stayed here briefly because they were on the streets without permission, drunk, or involved in fights.

Here on the left bank there is a picnic area with an information hut: The river IJzer flows through the village centre of Roesbrugge. From its source in Lederzeele and Buysscheure in France, the river flows into Belgium in Roesbrugge after having covered 37 km on French soil, to flow into the North Sea 41 km further on in Nieuwpoort. It is the only river in Belgium that flows into Belgian territory. Today you can take relaxing walks along the towpath through the green landscape. You can do this with the junction map 'De IJzervallei' or with the 'Dode IJzerwandelroute'. The picnic area offers a quiet spot to enjoy the landscape with a snack or a drink. If the Belgian weather lets you down, you can take shelter in the information hut.

Cassel is a fortified town on top of a hill and not far from the Belgian border with Poperinge (20 km). Beautiful views, cozy alleys, unique estaminets and a richly furnished museum in a historic mansion. This is in short what this walk in Cassel brings you. A lot of variety with a bit of history and culture, a lot of nature and local gastronomy. Enjoyment is the motto. Highlights are there for the taking in Cassel. For some, the Musée de Flandre will be the top attraction, for others the estaminets and still others will simply enjoy walking in the alleys. Let it all come over you and enjoy because this is Cassel.

Right next to the monastery is this Marian grotto, which invites you to visit. A place of silence.

In the immediate vicinity there is a highly recommended inn where this beer is served alongside delicious food.

After Benedictine nuns had already lived there from 1260 to 1355 and nuns of the Order of the Redeemer from 1615 to 1784, Trappists from the nearby French monastery of Mont des Cats founded the Belgian Priory of Saint Sixtus across the border in 1831 under Prior François-Marie Van Langendonck, which was elevated to the rank of an abbey (Sint-Sixtusabdij) in 1871. Since 1839 (brewery expanded from 1875 to 1878) the abbey has been associated with a Trappist beer produced by the monks under the name Westvleteren (2005 award as "Best Beer in the World").

Oh so beautiful, enjoying the silence in all seasons.