フールネでの周辺の簡単なハイキングとウォーキング

"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.

Really good in the early morning, when you are all alone

In 1968, Argentinian artist Oscar Bony had a family pose as a "living sculpture" on a pedestal. The performance, titled La Familia Obrero (The Working-Class Family), earned the family an amount exceeding their monthly social security benefits. In the spirit of May 1968, Bony criticized the double standards of a government that considered the family the cornerstone of society, yet neglected the poor working class. More information can be found on the information board.

In 1877, Benjamin Crombez commissioned the construction of a Neo-Romanesque church, intended for Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish services. Explanation: The St. Bernard's Church in Nieuwpoort-Bad is located a few dozen meters from the seawall. It is the only church along the Belgian coast whose main portal directly overlooks the sea. The first St. Bernard's Church was built in 1877 by commission of landowner Benjamin Crombez. He envisioned the place of worship as a place for all religions and faith communities. The building was destroyed during the First World War. The existing Neo-Romanesque church dates from 1923. During the Second World War, the building suffered considerable damage. The 1947 repairs therefore contribute to its current appearance. The yellow brick facades rest on a bluestone plinth. The stylistic distinction from the Gothic churches of Nieuwpoort-Stad, Ramskapelle, and Sint-Joris is immediately apparent. In the Romanesque style, the round arch dominates, while ornamentation is generally minimal. However, the stylistic purity has been somewhat compromised by the use of buttresses against the tower and aisles, a Gothic element. In 2012, St. Bernard's Church underwent a thorough restoration. This included addressing the facades of the place of worship. The artwork "Procession of the Dutch Army to Ostend" hangs in the entrance hall of St. Bernard's Church. The engravings depict the advance of Prince Maurits van Nassau and his army toward Ostend, following the victory at the Battle of Nieuwpoort on July 2, 1600. The drawings show how 885 people, primarily Utrecht students, re-enacted this remarkable procession on June 16, 1836. Source: https://www.nieuwpoort.be/sint-bernarduskerk-2

Wide promenade where walkers and cyclists can each find their own way.

A nature reserve with a rare wealth of fauna and flora unequaled in Belgium, except in the Zwin nature reserve. The freshwater of the Yser, the only river in Belgium that flows directly into the North Sea, mixes with the salty seawater. Tidal action has created a unique mudflat and salt marsh area, an ideal breeding ground for a rich variety of benthic organisms such as worms, snails, seaweed, shells, and crustaceans. The constant interaction between salt and freshwater in the Yser estuary also creates a unique biotope, characterized by salt-tolerant plants such as samphire, sea plantain, and sea aster. Source: https://www.dekust.be/natuurreservaat-de-ijzermonding

Eastduinkerke

First of all, this boundary marker on the beach is completely new, as an earlier one was irreparably damaged in 2021. The date and initials refer to the brief period from 1814 to 1830 when France bordered the Netherlands. The former boundary marker was first erected in 1819. Now, this boundary marker 2.0 marks the border between Belgium and France. The point also indicates the westernmost point of Belgium combined with the northernmost point of mainland France.