De Haan: Villa District, Dunes and Beach

If you are considering De Haan as a destination for a hotel stay, its beach, architectural history and church art offer different points of interest. The beach stretches for more than ten kilometres. There is also the Concessie, a historic villa district that developed in the dunes of Klemskerke and Vlissegem from 1889 onwards.

The Concessie and its architectural history

The “de Concessie” villa district is designed in the Anglo-Norman style. Its late 19th-century urban plan takes the contours of the dunes into account and is loosely based on the garden city concept that was emerging at the time. Protection of the entire Concessie was extended on 8 March 1995. The district’s history can also be linked to Albert Einstein: he spent six months in De Haan in 1933. The walking guide “In de voetsporen van Einstein” takes visitors to about 18 places in the protected villa district. It offers a distinctive perspective on the district without suggesting that any individual buildings are associated with Einstein’s stay.

Landscape architect L. Van der Swaelmen is also part of the area’s history. He was commissioned to transform the dunes into a large park where tourists from Oostende and Blankenberge could stroll. The cultural offering also includes a permanent open-air sculpture park.

Churches and windmills in the districts

The Sint-Monicakerk in the centre of De Haan has three naves. Its simple tower is octagonal; the church combines neo-Gothic design with distinctive Byzantine artistic influences. In Klemskerke stands the Sint-Clemenskerk, a three-aisled hall church with an octagonal west tower. Its origins date back to a church building from the 13th or 14th century. Paintings, confessionals, churchwardens’ pews and polychrome sculptures from the 17th century have been preserved inside.

The wooden Geersensmolen marks the southern edge of the polder village of Klemskerke. The present mill was built in 1693 on the old mill mound and is an exact copy of the original mill. It has been protected as a monument since 26 August 1943. In Vlissegem, the neoclassical Sint-Blasiuskerk stands within a protected village setting; valuable paintings and sculptures from the 17th and 18th centuries are kept there. The churches thus differ not only in their architecture but also in the artworks associated with them.

Dune trails, polders and waterbirds

Two described walking routes start at De Haan’s historic little tram station: the Duinbossenwandelroute and the walk “Belle Epoque midden in de duinen”. Check the local signage before setting out; route details for the second walk may change in the future. Another route, “Van duin en bos naar polder”, passes grazing Konik horses, Scottish Highland cattle, Saanen goats and dairy cows. Which animals graze there may change. Put van Vlissegem is a nature area for waterbirds, adding a natural dimension to the historic themes.

Wenduine: procession and blessing of the sea

In Wenduine, the giants invite their giant partners to a procession every July, a tradition that has continued since 1986. The procession travels 2.5 kilometres through the centre, with around 60 giants walking and dancing. Since details of recurring events may change, it is advisable to check the dates before making plans. On Whit Monday, a dance and music spectacle takes place on the beach by the Rotonde, followed by a blessing of the sea.

Religious tradition is also part of Wenduine’s history. Veneration of the cross and the pilgrimage to the Heilige Kruisverheffingskerk began in the 16th century, inspired by a legend about a cross recovered off Wenduine. It is said to have been caught by fishermen from Blankenberge or retrieved from the sea and brought to the parish church for veneration. The church houses the Mirakelkruis from the 17th century, which was repainted in 1992.

A guided visit and practical information

On a guided visit to the artisan coffee roastery Koffie Kàn at Kerkstraat 84 in Wenduine, you can watch the process, smell the aromas released and then sample freshly ground coffee. Details of the visit programme may change, so check the current arrangements in advance. De Haan’s tourist information office is located on Tramlijn-Oost. Check the address before you arrive.

Discover more destinations: Vosseslag, Wenduine, Oostrozebeke, Oudenburg, Zonnebeke, Moorslede, Kortemark, Koksijde.

For the overarching travel overview: West Flanders.