Hondschoote: Churches, Windmills and Flax History

When looking for a hotel in Hondschoote, you can choose your destination based on its historical and cultural themes: church architecture, the history of the town hall, windmills and the town’s local connection to flax shape the sights and activities described here. Different periods are represented side by side—from a mill bearing a date from the Middle Ages to a carillon inaugurated at the turn of the year 2000. Visiting arrangements also vary: some places require advance reservations, while the trails have their own themes and seasonal information.

Saint-Vaast Church: Tower and Building Phases

The tower of Saint-Vaast Church is made of white brick, was built in 1513 and is crowned by an octagonal spire that reaches 82 metres. The church itself was rebuilt between 1602 and 1620 as a three-aisled hall church; part of the transept was retained. The dates therefore refer to different building phases: 1513 dates the tower, while 1602 to 1620 dates the church’s rebuilding. If you would like to visit the building, visits can be arranged by booking in advance through the tourist office. Virtual tours are also available in French, Dutch, English and German. Check the visiting arrangements again before your trip.

Town Hall and Museum

The town hall also combines historical dates with distinctive features. It was built in the 16th century and classified as a Monument historique by decree dated 22 January 1910. The date 1558 can be seen in the middle of the cornice; the building features Gothic and Renaissance elements. The town hall contains a former courtroom with panels on the town’s history. The Musée Municipal d’Hondschoote houses several paintings from the church, as well as a series of the Neuf Preuses. Visits to the town hall and museum can be arranged by booking in advance.

Chapel and Memorials

The Chapelle Saint Augustin is a neo-Gothic brick chapel from the late 19th century, built by the Congregation of the Black Sisters of Furnes. Its interior includes a wooden pointed-arch vaulted ceiling and stained-glass windows. Among those depicted are King David, Saint Cecilia and Saint Barbara. Another link to the town’s history is La statue de la Victoire: the monument commemorates the Battle of Hondschoote, was inaugurated in 1890 and was created by the Lille sculptor Darcq.

Windmills with Different Stories

The Moulin Spinnewyn, also known as the Moulin de la Victoire, was built in 1993 in memory of the gendarmes who took part in the 1793 Battle of Hondschoote. It is a post mill. Its millstones produce flour only during local festivals—so flour production is tied to these occasions. The Noordmeulen is also a post mill. The date 1127 appears on its main beam; on this basis, it is considered possibly the oldest windmill in Europe.

Flax Trails and Seasonal Activities

For a walk with a connection to flax, the 10.4-kilometre Promenades des Zwingelaers trail starts in Hondschoote. It leads to flax retting sites and former flax retting sites, and explores the history of the connection between Hondschoote and flax. The trail operates seasonally from May to September. The 10.5-kilometre Circuit de la Tour Blanche has a different focus: it combines Flemish architecture, chapels, oratories and windmills with a walk through the surrounding agricultural landscape. The two trails are similar in length but differ in theme—flax processing and history on the one hand, architecture and rural scenery on the other.

The Route du lin can be explored in Hondschoote on foot or by bicycle; route descriptions and signposting may change. The seasonal Découverte du lin activity runs in summer from the flax fields to the workshops, showcasing local know-how that is still very much alive. Its availability may change. If you would like to learn about flax not only as a historical connection but also through its processing, these two offerings provide different ways to do so: the Route du lin is described as a walking and cycling route, while Découverte du lin includes fields and workshops.

Plan Visits in Advance

Advance booking is required for visits to Saint-Vaast and the Carillon de Hondschoote; a mini-concert is included in the carillon visit. The carillon has 61 bells spanning five octaves and was officially inaugurated on the night of 31 December 1999 to 1 January 2000. Advance booking is also required for the town hall and Musée Municipal. If one of these destinations is important to your travel plans, check the relevant booking arrangements before you arrive. This will help you match your interest in architecture, local history, windmills or flax with the right visits and activities.

Discover more destinations: Dunkerque, Naves, Le Doulieu, Looberghe, Sin-Le-Noble, Potelle, Steenvoorde, Ramillies.

Back to the regional travel overview: Nord.