Spotlight on ...

of monuments And every house has its own story The town hall, a delightful stroll away, is an iconic building along with the 14thcentury Cloth Hall and the 16th-century Belfry in Brabant late-Gothic style It comes as no surprise, therefore, that it is duly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ename: a mix of ancient history and contemporary experience Ename catapults you back in time and treats you three times to centuries-old heritage Eight hectares of archaeological park with the foundations of the Benedictine abbey, a gentle slope that leads you to the woods ‘Bos t' Ename’ and the beautifully restored church of St Laurence Three surprising sights interwoven into one story The old harbour town has even more to tell

Provincial Heri tage Centre

visit to Huis Beaucarne is definitely not to be missed For generations, the Beaucarne and Fredericq families have cherished this 18th-century manor house The family is passionate about revealing the fun facts of each curiosity Add to this rare collections and archive material from Ename Abbey. After the visit, enjoy an afternoon tea by arrangement

We al so li ke

Tapestri es

The MOU has even more of Oudenaarde’s rich history on display And you can take that literally, as the meandering museum trail takes you to the heyday of the weaving crafts From the 15th to the 18th century.

Mul lem, cas tle vil lage

Oudenaarde is a provincial town with a global reputation Located on the Scheldt’s left bank, with an impressive history Highlights include Oudenaarde’s late-Gothic town hall with its Cloth Hall and famous tapestries, its Beguinage and MOU municipal museum

This gem of the Flemish Ardennes is also a cycling Mecca. For a century now, its undulating roads, cobblestones and hills have played crucial roles in Flanders’ spring classics The Tour of Flanders Centre covers this extensive history from start to finish.

We pi ck a few of our favou rites for gr oups to expl ore:

Oudenaarde is often associated with the heart of the Flemish Ardennes Whether you love nature, culture, delicious regional products or sporting challenges, there’s a startling discovery around every corner. Let’s start with the city’s vibrant heart: the market square A welcoming place, peppered with restaurants, cafes and inviting terraces In the heart of Oudenaarde, you come across buildings in Gothic and Renaissance style, Baroque and Classicism With more than 100 cultural-historical buildings, the city seems like a patchwork

At the push of a button, an old castle rises from the ashes A look behind the scenes of the heritage depot discloses unique revelations Experience the virtual walk in the 13th-century Ename Abbey With an audio guide or by yourself, anything goes You can relax in the artistic heritage foyer, where you can admire Ben Benaouisse's installation ‘Invasif ’ From the second floor, you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the archaeological site and the undulating Scheldt landscape

Check the diary for new temporary exhibitions at www oostvlaander en be/ erfgoedcentr um

Hu is B eau car ne, afternoon tea the noble styl e

If you’re group like afternoon tea the time-honoured way, then a

In the midst of the Oudenaarde fields, the pristine castle village of Mullem shines in the yellow lustre of its authentic cottages The early medieval village centre is a protected heritage

Mater

In the undulating landscape of fields between Horebeke and Mater, the Tissenhove Mill is visible from afar. At the top of the 105 metre high plateau, take a moment to admire the beautiful panorama The proud wind fighter is one of Flanders’ oldest windmills

Br ewer y Roman

Roman is the oldest family brewery in Belgium and is famed for its vast range of beers These are all brewed in the traditional way, with attention to craftsmanship and a passion for beer that goes back nearly five centuries... vis it oudenaarde be or contact Vis it Oudenaar de at vi sit@oudenaar de be