Discover Eersel: market history, land art and heathland

Eersel combines a historic town centre with art and cycling routes, as well as nearby Cartierheide. When looking for a hotel in Eersel, you can consider whether market history and local sites of remembrance or outdoor activities better suit your plans.

The Market Square, Hint and Eersel’s history

The Market Square is considered the historic heart of Eersel and is surrounded by monumental buildings. The area around the square has been a protected village landscape since 19 October 1967. The original layout and buildings along Hint have also largely been preserved. Together, the Market Square and Hint offer more than individual historical details: they also show how the townscape is arranged.

The statue “Contente Mens” stands on the Market Square and symbolises the character of the people of the Kempen. Another insight into the region’s past can be found at the Kempenmuseum, housed in an authentic, long farmhouse dating from 1890. It shows how the lives of the poor small-farming population of the Kempen changed over a period of 100 years. The museum thus connects the history of an old farmhouse with changes in everyday life.

Individual sites of remembrance also tell stories of Eersel’s past. De Perenboom is part of the “Op Oorlogspad” route and is designated as a monument because of its historical significance, not its appearance. A stained-glass window in the Onze Lieve Vrouwe Chapel tells the story of the unmarried Hoeks brothers. The Vredesduif Monument was created by Marja van Riel and unveiled in 2001.

If you would like to explore the historic Market Square on a guided tour, you can join the walk offered by Visit Eersel. Contact the provider directly for information about dates.

Art and cycling routes

“Het Groene Lint” is a 24-kilometre art walking trail and land art project connecting the centres of Eersel and Eindhoven. “De Gloeiige, Landheer van Eersel” offers another way to explore the area along a route: the legend of the cursed lord of the manor has been turned into a cycling route through the municipality of Eersel. It is 29.2 kilometres long, starts at Natuurpoort Terspegelt and follows the official junction system of the national cycle network.

The route lengths refer to different activities: Het Groene Lint is an art walking trail, while De Gloeiige is a cycling route. You can therefore compare the two options based on your preferred way of getting around, rather than just the number of kilometres. Another cycling option is the “Witrijroute Eersel” mountain bike route, which runs through the Witrijt woodland and around Cartierheide in the south-east of the municipality of Eersel.

Cartierheide and finding your way around

Cartierheide, near Eersel, offers heathland scenery and opportunities for hiking, cycling and horse riding. Signposted hiking trails cross the area. Together with the Witrijroute, this gives you a useful distinction for planning: the hiking trails run through the area, while the mountain bike route passes through Witrijt and around Cartierheide.

The Visit Eersel information point offers maps for walking and cycling junctions. It is also listed as the starting point for the “Monumentenroute” and is located at Markt 30a, 5521 AN Eersel. Regional products such as Beerze beer and local liqueurs are also available there. Eersel can be reached by car, bus or bicycle; you can use the available maps to plan your routes.

When looking for a hotel, choose based on the themes you want to shape your stay: the Market Square and museum offer local and social history, Het Groene Lint features land art to explore on foot, and De Gloeiige is a themed cycling tour. For trips into the countryside, there is also Cartierheide and the surrounding trails. Check the location details in each hotel’s listing to make sure they suit your plans.

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