Discover Menen: Belfort, Fortifications and Cycling Routes

Menen combines distinctive fortification architecture with paths that bring history and activity together. The Belfort, the preserved fortifications, Menen-Wald Cemetery and several cycling and hiking routes give the town a range of different facets. Those planning a trip with cultural discoveries and active excursions can therefore consider Menen as a starting point for a variety of day plans.

Fortifications, Belfort and Ter Walle Park

One landmark building is the Belfort. The tower is 33 metres high and has a four-sided base and an octagonal upper section. In Menen, the Belfort also houses a carillon with 49 bells. Its distinctive cultural character is therefore expressed not only in its external form, but also in its sound.

The surviving fortifications of Menen include Dutch fortifications. Their foundation stone was laid on 1 May 1817. The historic structures form the backdrop to Ter Walle Park and make the history of the fortifications visible in the modern urban landscape as well. The Blekerijvesting walking route runs through the south of the town over the old fortification walls of the main rampart. Those interested in architectural history can include this route as a separate focus in their travel plans.

Cycling with Routes of Various Lengths

Several clearly described options are available for active days. The Wieltjespad is a signposted 14-kilometre circular route. There are also shorter loops of 5 kilometres and 9.5 kilometres; these two variants are not signposted. This allows you to choose between a marked longer circuit and shorter, unmarked loops when planning your day.

Those looking for a longer cycling tour will find a 57.8-kilometre route in the Grensleiefietsroute. The bike ride takes approximately 3.5 hours. The route passes the Oude Sluizen in Menen. These date from 1921 and today form a pedestrian and cycling connection to Leie-eiland and France. The Oude Sluizen are therefore both a historic landmark and part of the regional network of routes.

The Martinusroute also offers a special perspective. It follows in the footsteps of Saint Martin from Utrecht to Tours and crosses the border at Delorsplein in Menen. From Menen, cycling also provides the opportunity to explore the wider Grensleieregio. Depending on your preferred travel pace, you can therefore focus on short circular routes, a longer cycling tour or a route with a historic and cross-border connection.

Memorial Sites and Travel Character

Menen-Wald is located on the border between Menen and Wevelgem and is the largest German military cemetery from the First World War in Western Europe. In 2017, a permanent exhibition about the cemetery was established in the reception building at Menen-Wald, shedding light on the lives of several fallen soldiers. This site adds a contemplative historical dimension to the themes of fortifications and routes.

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Menen, it is worth deciding on your preferred focus in advance: would you mainly like to get to know the Belfort and the fortifications, explore the paths on foot or plan several cycling tours? The different route lengths make it easier to plan your days deliberately, while the historic sites are also of interest for trips that aim to combine culture and activity.

Discover More Destinations

If you would like to continue planning your trip beyond Menen, you can also view information about Koksijde, Bruges, Zedelgem, Oostkamp, Wingene, Ingelmunster, Ostend and Zuienkerke.

To the main travel overview: West Flanders.