Holiday apartment in Retranchement: Ramparts, forts and border history

Retranchement is a charming destination for anyone who would like to combine nature, border history and distinctive buildings during their trip. The main attractions are the Wallen van Retranchement, Fort Berchem, the Drieling van Retranchement and several paths through the landscape. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Retranchement, you can plan your days around these different experiences: a hike across historic defensive structures one day, a detour to the windmill and village church another, or a longer route towards the Zwin.

Holiday apartment in Retranchement between ramparts and nature

The Wallen van Retranchement were built in 1604 during the Eighty Years’ War as a defensive structure. Today, they form a nature area of approximately 27 hectares with a varied landscape. The hiking route across the ramparts passes pollard willows, boundary posts and bunkers. With a little luck, you may hear European tree frogs there, combining the historic character with attentive nature observations.

When planning a hike, the rules for dogs are also important: dogs are allowed on a lead on the hiking trails of the Wallen van Retranchement. However, in areas where cows roam freely, dogs are not allowed, even on a lead. On Molenstraat, there is an unpaved car and bicycle parking area along the hiking route across the Wallen van Retranchement.

Fort Berchem and the Drieling van Retranchement

Fort Berchem was built around 1643 as Redoute Berchem on the site of the vanished Fort Terhofstede. It was reconstructed in 2010 based on archaeological research. The fort can be reached from the Oude Zeedijk via a drawbridge and can be entered freely. This allows visitors to directly understand both the historical development and the later reconstruction at this location.

Another striking testament to the border is the Drieling van Retranchement. It consists of three boundary posts in a straight line marking the Dutch-Belgian border and is considered unique in the Netherlands. The two marker boundary posts were placed 135.5 ells from the actual border. A third post, numbered 364, was added in 1869.

Windmills and village architecture

At Dorpsstraat 16 stands the Dutch Reformed Church of Retranchement, a modest hall church with wall surfaces reinforced by pilasters, arched windows, a hipped roof and a roof turret. The former church building is used for cultural and social events such as concerts, exhibitions and lectures.

The Molen Retranchement on Molenstraat is a grain and flour mill dating from 1818 and is one of the oldest post mills in the Netherlands. Extensive restoration work took place at the windmill “(Naamloos) te Retranchement” in 2025 and 2026. In January 2026, the sails were removed; they are to be replaced. These different mill histories add technical and village-related perspectives to the picture of Retranchement.

Hiking and route ideas along the Zwin

The “Wandelen langs ’t Zwin” hiking route runs from Cadzand-Bad to Retranchement and passes the Het Zwin nature area along the way. Het Zwin is characterised by mudflats, salt marshes and dunes. In addition, the 39-kilometre Zwinroute passes the Wallen van Retranchement. The different route lengths and courses provide a concrete basis for planning your excursions around accommodation in Retranchement in a variety of ways. The network of charging points for e-bikes in West Zeeuws-Vlaanderen also includes a charging station in Retranchement.

For further planning, you can also discover Schoondijke, Cadzand-Bad, Nieuwvliet, Zuidzande, Breskens, Oostburg, Cadzand and Aardenburg.

To the overarching travel overview: Sluis.