Discover Bruges: Nature, Markets and Culture

Discover Bruges through a range of interests: wildlife watching, waterside paths, parks and cultural venues, as well as weekly markets. When planning your hotel stay, you can start by deciding which of these themes you want to focus on. The options range from a nature reserve with observation points to two markets held on different days of the week.

Natural surroundings and guided tours

The Marais de Bruges National Nature Reserve covers 265 hectares and is home to more than 3,500 species across 69 habitats. The 2.5-kilometre visitor trail leads to three observation points; two of them are accessible to people with reduced mobility. When planning your visit, consider the trail length and accessibility separately: the accessibility information applies to two of the three observation points.

The reserve offers guided tours throughout the year. If you are planning to join a tour, check the specific date in advance.

Walks and water

At Lac Lamothe, you can walk along the water. Fishing is permitted there; in fact, Lac Lamothe is the only body of water in Bruges where fishing is allowed. Fishing regulations may change, so it is advisable to check them before your trip.

The “Bruges, Étang et Bassins” route offers two trails in the town centre: one around a pond and the other alongside a basin. The two options differ in their routes and the type of water feature: a loop around the pond or a path alongside the basin.

Markets with their own character

Bruges’ central Saturday market has been held on the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle for more than 40 years. It has around 60 vendors, including butchers, charcutiers, fishmongers, vegetable growers and florists. The number of vendors may change; check the market schedule before travelling.

The open-air market in Tasta is held every Wednesday at Place Jean Moulin. Producers, vendors and food trucks offer goods for sale and tasting. The offerings include a butcher, a cheesemonger, a fruit and vegetable producer, a rotisserie chicken vendor, caterers and food trucks serving international cuisine. Vendors may change; if a particular offering matters to you, check before your visit.

So, when choosing a market day, consider the day of the week, the location and the offerings: on Saturday, it is the central market on the Esplanade; on Wednesday, it is the open-air market in Tasta, with goods for sale and tasting.

Parks and culture

Parc Treulon opened to the public in 1980. The Ludo-Médiathèque de Bruges opened in 2022 in the fully renovated Parc Treulon. The dates mark two distinct events: the opening of the park and the later opening of the media library.

The old oak grove was preserved when Parc Ausone was landscaped. This gives the park its own distinctive connection to the local landscape.

Discover more destinations: Civrac-En-Médoc, Coirac, Pleine Selve, Mazères, Cézac, Le Tourne, Moulis-En-Médoc, Mombrier.

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