The best traffic-free bike rides around Pecq

Due to a breach in the wall near Ellestraat (approximately halfway along the canal), the canal completely emptied in 1959. The damage was later linked to the digging work of muskrats. (Wikipedia)

Super nice when there are no others to be seen. And doubly pleasant when you have the wind at your back.

The castle of Anvaing is a strictly symmetrically built water castle with four corner towers. Dating from the 19th century, the castle is the main residence of the Count de Lannoy. Stephanie de Lannoy, the Grand Duchess consort of Luxembourg, grew up in this castle with her family. The 18th-century gardens are French in style and were laid out at the behest of the Marquis Jean de Mesgrigny. The large pond by the castle is filled with water from the neighboring river, the Rhosnes. On May 28, 1940, the castle was the scene of an important historical event: the Belgian capitulation to the Germans was signed there. The castle is not open to the public... but from the street side, you get a beautiful view of the castle and its reflection in the pond. For a few years now, wine has been cultivated on the castle estate. In 2022, the first vines were planted on the estate, located on a south-facing slope with a well-draining loamy-calcareous soil. On an area of three hectares, there are approximately 18,000 Chardonnay and 2,000 Pinot Meunier vines, which equates to a relatively high planting density of around 6,600 vines per hectare compared to the Belgian average. The chosen rootstocks and planting density are intended to produce grapes with a high concentration. The estate focuses primarily on the production of still wines from a single grape variety. Source: Wikipedia

This is truly a very special place: the ruins of the Sint-Amelberga Church in Bossuit, transformed into a publicly accessible work of art. It was the British artist Ellen Harvey, living in New York, who designed this work, entitled "Repeat." The art church is a new meeting place for residents and visitors, preserving the sacred and ritual significance of the church site. The church in Bossuit has existed since the 10th century, originally as a two-aisled Romanesque church. In the 19th century, architect Pierre Nicolas Croquison drew up the plans for the new three-aisled hall church in the Neo-Gothic style. Construction began in 1857, and the church was officially consecrated nine years later. The church was partially destroyed during the First World War and then rebuilt. When the Sint-Amelberga Church was declared dilapidated in 2007, the municipal council of Avelgem began searching for a new purpose. They viewed the church not as a standalone building, but as part of a larger whole: the village of Bossuit. In the village plan for its development into an attractive and livable village, the church had to maintain its key role in the village life. The official opening of the artwork 'Repeat' took place on July 13, 2014. The art church is open daily and admission is free. The art church can be used as a venue for events. Source: information board on site

Between 1857 and 1860, the old Bossuit-Kortrijk canal was dug using spades and wheelbarrows, as well as horse and cart. After the construction of the new canal in the early 1970s, this old section of the canal remained in place. As a result, an ideal spawning ground was created here. Fish find few suitable opportunities to spawn and lay their eggs. They do this on aquatic and riparian plants, which are present in limited numbers in the canal. Species such as rudd and pike require plants to complete their reproduction. The creation of fish spawning grounds gives the fish population a "natural" boost. However, it is not only fish that benefit from this nature development zone. Dragonflies, amphibians, waterfowl, and breeding birds also find an ideal habitat there. Source: information board on site

The Kortrijk-Bossuit Canal was built between 1858 and 1860 to connect the Leie and Scheldt rivers, primarily to transport coal from the Borinage to Flanders.

This original, enormous artwork consists of a table and 10 robinia wood chairs. These pieces of furniture enhance the illusion of oversized space and transport the viewer back to childhood. It's one of the artistic works you can discover along the Arty trail, which runs between Roubaix (FR) and Tournai (BE) along the Roubaix and Scheldt Canal (www.parcoursarty.com).

This original, enormous artwork consists of a table and 10 robinia wood chairs. These pieces of furniture enhance the illusion of oversized space and transport the viewer back to childhood. It's one of the artistic works you can discover along the Arty trail, which runs between Roubaix (FR) and Tournai (BE) along the Roubaix and Scheldt Canal (www.parcoursarty.com).