The best running trails in Natuurreservaat De Westhoek

"Westerpunt" is a six-meter-high architectural gem on the promenade leading to France. Studio MOTO designed it as a symbolic connection between the sea, dunes, and humanity. From the top, you can enjoy a magnificent 360° view of the surroundings. At high tide, part of the structure is submerged, making it seem as if you are literally suspended "above" the sea.

The Dune du Perroquet is a nature reserve in the town of Bray-Dunes, part of the Nord department of France. The 179-hectare area consists of dunes that are directly connected to the North Sea coast, making it the northernmost point of France. It has been a protected nature reserve since 1985 and is the easternmost of a series of dune areas along the French North Sea coast. The dunes are home to more than 350 plant species, 70 breeding bird species, and various amphibians. Typical dune plants include sea rocket, common evening primrose, sticky stork's bill, blue sea holly, Parnassia, and bird's-foot trefoil. Many bunkers can be found in the area. Some are remnants of the Atlantic Wall from World War II, but there are also a number of bunkers built by the French during the interwar period as part of the Maginot Line. Although this line was particularly strong along the French-German border, it was also constructed in a weakened form along the Belgian-French border to prevent a potential breakthrough by German troops through Belgian territory. Source: Wikipedia

A well-maintained bike path that can get busy at times. Courtesy is key. Enjoy together, each at their own pace.

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