The continuous row of tall apartment blocks that characterize the Belgian coast stands in sharp contrast to the open polder fields directly behind it. The contrasting coastal town of De Haan, on the other hand, represents the Belle Epoque, which was characteristic of the entire Belgian coast until half a century ago. The cottage style was built here, inspired by Normandy and England. In De Haan, high-rise construction was discontinued and much of this beauty has been preserved.The Uitkerkse Polders, right behind De Haan, sketch an authentic polder landscape with extensive wet meadows, without trees and hedges and only scattered farmhouses here and there. This nature reserve enjoys international fame as a meadow bird area. The picturesque, medieval-looking Damme, just before Bruges, is also worth a visit.