Discover Watou: Village Culture, the Heidebeek and Special Trails

Watou is a destination for anyone who wants to combine village culture, landscapes and unusual art. The village core of Watou is designated as a protected village landscape. The cultural and historical qualities of its structure and visual appearance are decisive for the protected village center. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Watou, you can therefore first decide whether the historic village center, the paths along the Heidebeek or cultural experiences should be the focus of your stay.

Market Squares, Church and Traces of the Village’s History

The village center comprises two market squares: Watouplein and Kleine Markt. The Heidebeek, also called the Warandebeek, runs between them. The centrally located parish church of Sint-Bavo is a defining feature. Inside are the ornate tombs of Karel van Ydeghem (+ 1630), Maria van Cortewyle and the mystic Karel Grimminck (1676–1728). This gives the village center specific historical points of reference, without requiring you to reduce the character of the village to a single attraction.

Outside the church, too, you will encounter distinctive evidence of the past and art in public spaces. On the former castle grounds of Watou, a Renaissance-style entrance gate and the castle moat have been preserved. Hoeve Blauwhuis was the former seat of the court and lordship of Watou, as well as the residence of the lords of Watou and the first Count of Watou. A farmhouse with a tower building dating from the late 16th to the early 17th century in the regional late-Renaissance style has been preserved there.

The Claus Monument, designed by Roger Raveel, stands on Watouplein. Another Raveel tableau from 1993 on the Douvieweg is visible from the road. The annual Kunstenfestival Watou creates an idiosyncratic dialogue between the village, visual art and poetry. For your travel planning, this results in an interesting combination of historic village structure and contemporary culture.

The Heidebeek, Border Landscape and Walking Trails

The Heidebeek follows a strongly meandering, very natural course. A row of trees and shrubs accompanies the watercourse, whose banks have a natural profile. At the same time, the Heidebeek forms the national border between Belgium and France. The landscape of the Heidebeek valley extends from the area around Watou to the mouth of the Heidebeek into the IJzer at Haringe in Poperinge.

Trails with clearly indicated distances are available for different day plans. A 5 km walk around the St.Bernardus Brewery leads through Helleketelbos and along the Trappist Trail. The 10 km Warande Walk begins in Watou and follows the 1677 artificially drawn French-Belgian border between French Flanders and the Westhoek.

Special Experiences for Your Stay

The St.Bernardus Brewery Tour is an interactive visitor experience that can be enjoyed at your own pace. The Greeters of Watou also offer free, personal village tours. These can cover the history of the village, nature and village life. At Fazantenheuvel on Stoppelweg, one of the highest points in Watou at an elevation of 62 m, an orientation board was installed on 30 April 2000.

Near Watouplein, there are quieter parking areas in natural surroundings. You can also have a picnic there and leave your car for longer. It is best to choose a suitable holiday apartment or holiday home according to the pace you want for your trip and the excursions you actually plan to take.

The historical theme also includes the Abeele Aerodrome Military Cemetery. The cemetery was established by French troops in April 1918 during the German Spring Offensive. According to the current register, 104 identified dead from the United Kingdom are buried there. For more travel ideas, you can also view Roesbrugge-Haringe, Reningelst and Proven.

For the broader travel overview: Poperinge.