Ypres Museum in BelgiumYpres Museum in Belgium
©Ypres Museum in Belgium
Resto Pacific EilandResto Pacific Eiland in Ypres, Belgium
©Resto Pacific Eiland in Ypres, Belgium
In Flanders Fields MuseumIn Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres, Belgium
©In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres, Belgium
The Belfry of YpresThe Belfry of Ypres in Belgium, night view.
©The Belfry of Ypres in Belgium, night view.
Vestingen in BelgiumVestingen in Ypres, Belgium
©Vestingen in Ypres, Belgium
+2 photos
Menenpoort in BelgiumMenenpoort in Belgium
©Menenpoort in Belgium

Ypres, the Belgian cousin

Posting your suitcases in the Pays de Saint-Omer during the vacations, also means having the opportunity to make some magnificent excursions less than 1h30 away. Among the visits we recommend, there’s a wonderful Belgian city which the Director of its Tourist Office, Peter Slosse, tells us about. Let’s discover Ypres.

Introducing Ypres

Ypres is a town of 35,000 inhabitants located in the Westhoek region, just 20 kilometers from the French border. It has a rich historical past dating back to the 10th century. In the Middle Ages, Ypres was one of Flanders’ three main cloth-making centers, along with Bruges and Ghent. During the First World War, the charming town was reduced to a vast mess. The inhabitants rebuilt their town, respecting the past. Today, Ypres is a sparkling town, surrounded by a green belt of fortifications, with many sites worth visiting, pleasant cafés, plenty of culinary specialties and plenty of lovely accommodation.

Must-sees in Ypres

  • The “In Flanders Fields” museum, installed in the Cloth Hall, presents the history of the First World War through personal accounts and modern techniques.
  • The new Ypres Museum, opened in July 2018, also in the Cloth Hall, immerses visitors, via an interactive tour, in life in Ypres and the province of Westhoek, from the Middle Ages to the present day.
  • The fortifications, which still surround two-thirds of the town center, represent a pleasant place to stroll between nature and history.

Major events in Ypres

"Last Post

This daily ritual takes place at 8pm at the Menin Gate. It’s a solemn ceremony not to be missed if you’re visiting Ypres. Since 1928, more than 31,000 Last Posts have been held.

De gevleugelde stad

It’s an international festival of circus and street performances. This unique event takes place on the 2nd weekend in April at the many historic sites in the town center and fortified area.

The procession of cats

Held every 3 years (the next one is scheduled for May 2021), it’s a breathtaking spectacle, with new floats, giants, music, theater and dance groups every time. Folklore at its best!

A little advice

for your visit to Ypres

Climb the 232 steps of the belfry and enjoy a fantastic view of the city center and surrounding area, with panoramic views as far as France, Mont Cassel and Mont des Cats. Afterwards, sample the delicious “Wipers Times”, a beer brewed in Ypres, at the “De Kazematten” brewery.

Peter SlossePeter Slosse, Director of the Ypres Tourist Office
©Peter Slosse, Director of the Ypres Tourist Office
Peter Sloss, Director of Ypres Tourist Office.

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