Holiday apartment in Rijsbergen: Nature, Chapels and History

Rijsbergen combines nature, religious history, a place of remembrance and specific route options. Between woodland landscapes, an exercise route, chapels and an annual event, different sides of the town emerge. The themes range from the fens and rare species of Pannenhoef to the sculpture group, church, chapel route and monument. This provides points of interest for landscapes, exercise, religious history and remembrance.

The De Pannenhoef natural area

The De Pannenhoef nature area covers 706 hectares and lies between Etten-Leur, Zundert, Rijsbergen and Sprundel. Eleven fens have been excavated again there; the area includes mixed woodland. Rare plants include Heidekartellblatt and marsh St John's-wort. Amphibians such as the moor frog and heath frog are also found there. De Pannenhoef offers many walking trails and extensive opportunities for cycling. Bodies of water, woodland, rare plants and amphibians therefore shape this same natural area. For a day on foot, the walking trails are the main focus; by bicycle, the landscape can be traversed at a different pace. Alongside the trails, the plants and amphibians give the landscape a natural-history dimension.

The Fit Route in Rijsbergen

The Fit Route in Rijsbergen is 2.4 kilometres long and features 13 different exercise stations. Pavement slabs set into the road surface mark its course. The specific length and defined range of exercises can be taken into account when planning a day alongside other activities. In the town, the slabs indicate the route and connect the exercises with a visible course.

Maria Chapel Route in the countryside

A cycling route connects 12 Marian chapels in the countryside around Rijsbergen. The Rijsbergen Maria Chapel Route starts at St Bavo's Church on Sint Bavostraat and is approximately 23.5 kilometres long. St Bavo's Church in Rijsbergen was founded by St Bavo's Abbey in Ghent. The Marian chapels and the start at St Bavo's Church give the route a religious focus. Its approximate length can be taken into account when planning a cycling trip with scheduled breaks. The twelve chapels form the stops along the cycling route in the countryside.

Religious and historical sites

The town centre also offers points of interest related to cultural history. The Sacred Heart sculpture group on St. Bavostraat in the centre of Rijsbergen dates from 1936 and 1940. The Vloeiweide Rijsbergen monument commemorates the sacrifice of the Neefs family and resistance fighters shortly before the liberation of the southern Netherlands.

Boerendag throughout the year

Another regular event is Boerendag Rijsbergen. It takes place every year on the first Saturday in August. This recurring Saturday provides a clear reference point in the annual calendar. Anyone in Rijsbergen on that day can incorporate the event into their own plans; Pannenhoef, the Fit Route, the Maria Chapel Route and the cultural sites remain independent themes for other periods.

More destinations for your travel planning

Zundert, Achtmaal, Wernhout

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Zundert.