Poperinge Guide by Toerisme Vlaanderen

poperinge Capital of good life

2014

magazine

Jurgen Vanlerberghe Alderman for Tourism

5 The Hop Museum 6 Belgian Hops – Tasty Westhoek – The Hoppelandroute 8 Local beers conquer the world

local colour

Discover the genuine Hop country

first world war

11 Typically from Poperinge

12 first world war 14 Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery – interview 15 Executed by shooting 16 Talbot House 18 A different view on war – Poperinge commemorates the First World War

10 gastronomy 02

An out-and-out hop town

Town behind the front

20 local colour 20 The traditional games route 21 The belt around Poperinge

gastronomy 22 past and present 22 Parading, shopping and nosing about 23 The rich heritage of a “stubborn” town

Everything a pleasure-lover wants

28 past and present A plunge in the past, an eye on the future

Welcome to the Capital of the Good Life. During the past few years and in cooperation with a substantial number of partners and the municipality, we have made joint efforts to bring a breath of fresh air to the tourist sector and provide it with optimum growth opportunities. We, who come from the heart of the hops region, know the taste of the good life and we want to share that taste with with everyone. We are firmly convinced that the numerous trumps that Poperinge has to offer, such as the many surprising and unfamiliar places, the hospitality of the region and the genuine holiday feeling, will charm you. Walk through our town streets and let the “treasures-in-theattic” feeling surprise you. Come and explore the hop region and enjoy what our French neighbours refer to as “le dépaysement” (the unexpected). Close to home, yet in a different world, we wille give you an idea of what you can experience in and around Poperinge in the following few pages. This can be a pleasant single-day outing, a wellearned week end, mid-week or, who knows, perhaps an enriching week’s holiday with excursions to the expansive surrounding area ... In any event, the Tourist Office is at your service to assist you in word and deed, give you tips or work out an itinerary or programme together with you, so that you can still enjoy the memories long after your stay in Poperinge.

4 hop & beer

hop capital

prolonging your stay accommodation

24 prolonging your stay 25 Your home base to explore the Westhoek and French Flanders 26 Accommodation

Welcome

30 events

poperinge Capital of good life 2014

www.toerismepoperinge.be

01 hops & beer

When you say Poperinge, you think of hops. And if you think of hops, you think beer. Among others ... because hops nowadays are used in many more applications than the exquisite brew that makes our country world famous. Hops are all over, in and around the town: from the Hop Museum in the centre to the typical hop fields in the area ... and, of course, the many pub terraces where the hop aroma and hop sprouts are served, in your glass or on your plate. Are you ready to explore the hop capital? Hop along then, off you go!

The Hop Museum: center of Belgian hop and beer culture

Poperinge is called the capital of hops and good life. The surroundings of Poperinge with the typical hop fields gives the area a unique view. In the Hop Museum, which is located in the Municipal Scales complex, you learn everything about this fascinating plant. From cultivation to processing and from the Middle Ages to today… Hop is one of the main ingredients in beer, it influences the aroma, the taste, the bitterness and the foam. Belgian beer collection The museum presents more than 1600 different Belgian beers in a showcase of 20 meters. From May till September 24 Famous Belgians will present their favourite Belgian Beer in a temporary exhibition. In October, after the hops have been picked, samples of the hop harvest are approved and exhibited in the Museum.

Hop calls the tune from now on The winding visitors’ route takes you from the impressive attic down to the ground floor. The tour starts with the history of the Municipal Scales and the hop plant on the third floor. The sandy clay soil of Poperinge is very fertile for the green gold. Hop was actually intended to be an alternative for the once so fascinating cloth trade. The Hop Museum offers you more than just a summary of information,

harvesting and processing: the heavy hand picking which, until the 1950s, made people migrate during the harvesting season, the introduction of hop picking machines and the many applications of the hop plant in beer and other industries.

Hearing, seeing, smelling and tasting The hop story is not restricted only to the Museum. There are a whole number of activities. Hop was actually intended Check the website for the calendar. to be an alternative for There is also a museum the once so fascinating shop where you can cloth trade discover hop products, many different types of facts and figures. You can test your tasty local beers, beer chocolates, different types of gin, hop sprout jam, knowledge on each floor by playing decoration, wellness products and an interactive hop quiz. Old and new hop cultivation is shown on screen on souvenirs. the second floor. Finally, on the next floors, you will learn all about hop

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Hopmuseum Gasthuisstraat 71, Poperinge hopmuseum@poperinge.be T 0032 (0)57 33 79 22 Opening hours March - November: Tuesday Sunday and holidays 10.00 - 18.00 h. Monday closed. December - February: Closed for individuals.Open spring half terl and Christmas holidays: 14.00 18.00h. Group visits (15p.) possible upon reservation.

Admission Adults : €5 60+ : €4 Teachers: €3 Youngsters (6-25 j.): €2,5 Children -6 years: Free Group admission: see www. hopmuseum.be

hops & beer

Beer- & Hopfestival Poperinge September 19th/20th/21st 2014

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THE Hoppelandroute HOP ON YOUR BIKE! Not only is Poperinge the centre of hops but you can also cycle in the country and through picturesque little villages. If you want to combine something useful with something pleasant and stay fit while you discover the tasty and beautiful things in life, then the Hoppeland route (43 km) is exactly what you are looking for. The route lies northwest of Poperinge near the French border. If you leave from the hop city, the route will lead you to charming little places such as Roesbrugge, Haringe and Sint-Jan-Ter-Biezen. In Poperinge proper, you ride past places such as the Hop Museum and Talbot House. Once you are outside the city, the route takes you in the direction of the Abbey of Saint Sixtus, the castle grounds of De Lovie, the Couthof Castle and Helleketelbos (wood). This map with cycling routes is on sale at the Tourist Office.

Tasty Westhoek Join us in enjoying local Westhoek products Local products form the foundation of our Flemish gastronomic heritage. They are an asset that we may not let go of. Poperinge organises its third local product market, with a genuine beer village during the third weekend of September. A beer village offering tasty and often unknown beers, will be built next to the local-product market. We have chosen a range of beers brewed with local hops. Since the Belgian Hops quality label was introduced during the 2011 Hop Festival, approximately 30 brewers have joined the project. Visitors can taste the range of beers on offer in the beer village. There will be free musical shows the entire weekend. This year you can also enjoy the triennial Beer and Hop Festival during the

whole third weekend of September. Poperinge puts its two major assets into the spotlight: hop and beer. From hop to beer is just a small step in Poperinge. Come and enjoy this festive third with its hop pageant, hop queen election, Bavarian style music and atmosphere.

20 and 21 September 2014 Grote Markt Poperinge Admission FREE

Cheers! • Friday September 19th 8 p.m.: Festive opening of the festival in the marquee • Saturday September 20th 11 a.m. till 8 p.m.: Lekker Westhoeks, market with local beer and produce 3 p.m.: Tattoo in the town centre 8 p.m.: Hop queen election • Sunday September 21th 11 a.m. till 8 p.m.: Lekker Westhoeks, market with local beer and produce 3 p.m.:

International Hop Pageant (Free entrance)

5 p.m.: Beer fest in the marquee (Free entrance)

www.pigsinspace.eu

There is no doubt whatsoever: Belgium is the land of beer. Nowhere else in the world can you find a greater selection of regional, authentic and colourful beers. People all over the world appreciate Belgian beers for their quality and diversity. Belgian beer brewers obviously deserve great credit for using their expert knowledge in brewing excellent beer but it must also be said that our brewers have exceptional basic local ingredients. One of the most important raw materials needed to produce beer is hop. Using hop in the brewing process has an effect on the beer’s bitterness, aroma, taste and preservability. Hop has been cultivated in Belgium for many centuries and is now concentrated mainly in the vicinity of Poperinge. All hops in Belgium are cultivated in family business that have been growing it with much love and expertise for many generations. This makes the cultivator feel personally involved in his own product and he is rightly proud of the result: Belgian quality hops. The vzw Hop (Hop npo) launched the “Belgian hops” logo to promote Belgian hops even better. Brewers who use Belgian hops to brew their quality beer can now draw even more attention to thisby labelling their bottles with the “Belgian hops” logo.The most important condition to be allowed to use the logo is that the brewer officially recognises that at least half of the hops used for the beer for which the logo was applied for, is of Belgian origin. An independent notified body inspects this by random sampling.

Info and reservation Tourist Office Poperinge Grote Markt 1 - 8970 Poperinge Tel: 0032 57 34 66 76 toerisme@poperinge.be

www.hoppefeesten.be www.toerismepoperinge.be

Local beers conquer the world As hop cultivation epicentre, Poperinge and its surrounding areas naturally have a few breweries. And these are by no means insignificant! Having won prizes both locally and abroad, the brewers from Poperinge certainly know how to whet the appetites of beer lovers from all over the world. If you want to see with your own eyes how beer is brewed, then you can visit some breweries ... and you can do some beer tasting as well, of course!

Brewery Sint-Bernardus Apparently there is something special in the groundwater in Watou which makes it exceptionally suited to brewing beer because the Sint-Bernardus Brewery is also nestled there. Watou is not only a poetry village but it is also a brewer’s village. Perhaps the one does have something to do with the other and one’s spirit becomes slightly more poetic after drinking a few local beers... Whatever the case may be, with a total annual production of 25,000 hectolitres (roughly 550,000 gallons or 4,399,384 pints), Sint-Bernardus Brewery is also not insignificant. The brewery originated in the beginning of the 20th century but the noble Sint-Bernardus beers have only been brewed since 1946. These are blonde, dark and ambercoloured abbey beers that are mainly exported to Italy, America and Scandinavia. In July and August, Tourism Poperinge organises guided cycle tours on the theme of hop and beer every Wednesday. If you go on the cycle tour, you will visit the Sint-Bernardus Brewery and taste beer. Sint-Bernardus made considerable efforts to make the brewery accessible to the public at large. As of May 2011, individuals and groups alike have been able to visit the brewery. The visitor learns about all the aspects of the brewing process and, of course, beer tasting is a must. Read more: www.sintbernardus.be

Abbey of Saint Sixtus You wouldn’t say so at first, and they are probably not doing it on purpose but the people behind the walls of Westvleteren’s Abbey of Saint Sixtus know all too well how to create a “hype”. Their Trappist beer had already acquired some fame but when British beer connoisseur Michael Jackson named Westvleteren the best beer in the world, it really and truly went viral. They are having a difficult time keeping up with the demand, but the monks of the Abbey of Saint Sixtus bravely (or stubbornly?) refuse to increase production. And everyone knows that the more scarce a thing is, the more coveted it becomes. What’s more, the beer can only be bought at the abbey’s sales centre (in 24-bottle crates) after it has been reserved by telephone. No advertising yuppie could ever have come up with a better marketing plan to create a genuine hype. Three Trappist beers are brewed at the Abbey of Saint Sixtus: Westvleteren Blond, Westvleteren 8 (dark) and Westvleteren 12 (dark). You can taste the beer at the abbey’s welcome centre “In de Vrede”, right opposite the abbey. You can get to know all about the life of the abbey community in “the Claustrum”, the abbey’s information room. It shows the history of the brewery and the brewing process. One can’t visit the abbey. Read more: www.sint-sixtus.be and www.indevrede.be

De Plukker Brewery Poperinge bears its honorary title of Hop capital with pride. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that the area still has almost 150 hectares of hop fields owned by some 23 hop growers. One of these hop companies also has its own brewery where it makes beer with its own hops on the spot. If you add to this that De Plukker is Belgium’s only biological hop company, you will find that the beers are not only made with 100% Belgian hops but also, that they are 100% organic. As you can tell, Brouwerij De Plukker offers fair and tasty products prepared with care and attention, as are the raw materials. In addition to the Keikoppenbier, a blond high fermentation beer that is brewed with 3 different hops, De Plukker also brews the Rookop. This brown beer is the home beer of the town of Reningelst’s Kinderbrouwerij (Children’s Brewery). The brewery also uses freshly picked or “green hop” once a year. This can only be done during the September hop harvest and means that the picked hop cones are not dried: they go directly from the bine to the kettle. It doesn’t get any fresher than this! This green hop gives the beer a unique and velvety-soft hop taste. The brewery is open and sells beer from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday afternoon. Guided group visits can be made by appointment. Read more: www.plukker.be www.facebook.com/deplukker

De Struise Brouwers (DSB) The micro-brewery called “De Struise Brouwers” started brewing beers according to traditional methods in about 2001. They quickly made a name for themselves among beer connoisseurs, first abroad and, after that, also in Belgium, with their successful beer called “Pannepot”. They were number one in the ranking on the list of best brewers in the world at Ratebeer.com in 2008. DSB have settled down in their own corner in Oostvleteren since 2009. You can taste beer there or you can stock up to take home. Brewery Van Eecke Brewery Van Eecke’s history dates back to the 17th century! Watou was then elevated to the status of county where the noble Van Yedeghem family owned a castle with a brewery. After the destruction during the French Revolution, the brewery was the only building to be reconstructed. It fell in the hands of the Van Eecke family of brewers in 1862. Until the ’40s of the previous century, the brewery was especially important locally but, as of 1944, that all changed when the family started brewing the abbey beer: “Het Kapittel”. Today the “Het Kapittel” range consists of 5 beers: Pater (6%, dark), Dubbel (7.5%, dark), Prior (9%, dark), Blond (6.5%) and Tripel Abt (10%, blonde)”. But the absolute showpiece of the brewery

is the Poperings Hommelbier, a strongly hopped beer with a refined aroma and having an ever so slightly bitter taste. Finally, there is the Watou Witbier (Wheat Beer) which was added to the range of Brewery Van Eecke local beers in 1988. Van Eecke now brews a total of approximately 10,000 hectolitres (roughly 220,000 gallons or 1,759,750 pints) of beer per year. Cheers! The brewery can only be visited by appointment and in groups (min. 20 people) on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and on Saturday mornings. Price: e 6 per person, which includes a guide, a 45-minute tour and a drink Read more: 057/38 80 30 www.brouwerijvaneecke.be

Adress: ‘t Oud Schooltje, Kasteelstraat 50, 8640 Oostvleteren. More: Carlo Grootaert struisesales@gmail.com

Beverage center Nevejan The Kerelsbier, a low fermentation beer, refers to the Flemish Peasants who rebelled against the French king at Cassel under the leadership of Nicolaas Zannekin in 1328. The Nevejan brothers created this beer and they were inspired by the burly Peasants who drank strong beer. José Nevejan started re-marketing it in 1983. The gold-blonde beer goes perfectly with the local dish from Poperinge, which is known as “kabeljauw aan de schreve” (border cod) – the “schreve” refers to the national border between Belgium and France, which runs right through the “Westhoek” in Flanders. The “Poperings Nunnebier” started out as a joke. Nevejan Off-licence business, a hop farmer from Poperinge, a pub owner and an advertiser stated at a press conference that they would bring out a new beer to compete with the successful “trappist” beer of Westvleteren. The story was published in all newspapers but a few days later it transpired that it had been a stunt by the carnival group known as Sint-Syfilia. There was such a great demand for the non-existent beer, however, that there was a decision to market it after all. The gold-blonde beer has been marketed since the end of June 2007.

Read more: www.drankcentralenevejan.be

www.toerismepoperinge.be

02 Everything a pleasure-lover wants!

The most tasty page of this magazine Anyone who thinks that Poperinge only has niceties that come in bottles or from barrels, has definitely got hold of the wrong end of the stick. The town has a whole number of local dishes and products which will whet any connoisseur’s appetite. Want to bet that your mouth will also start watering after having read these pages?

Hommeldruppel This (35°) gin made from corn is spiced with Poperinge hop and is the product of the cooperation between ‘t Hoppecruyt, a hop cultivator from Proven, a village which falls under the municipality of Poperinge, and the corn distillery of De Jans from Kortrijk. From hops to the kitchen is a very small step. As Capital of the Good Life, Poperinge has everything to offer foodies, gourmets and connoisseurs that they are keen on: tasty local products that you can’t find anywhere else, surprising delicacys and distinctive local beers. The numerous gastronomic restaurants, culinary high-quality bistros, cosy tea rooms and characteristic pubs welcome you with open arms. And with the various breweries in and around the town which are open to the public, Poperinge is the ideal place of pilgrimage for worshippers of the good taste life has to offer.

Hommelientje Hommelientje is a chocolate made from hop extract and dark chocolate. ‘t Hoppecruyt, T. 057/30 05 98 Provenplein 69 - Proven www.hoppecruyt.be Chocolate Poppy Zokola, producer of the Poperingse Hommelknopjes received the exclusive permission from The Royal British Legion to create a chocolate replica of the “Poppy”. “The chocolate is coloured red by using natural substances and is filled with caramel and Baileys Irish liqueur. The Chocolate poppies are available in bags, in boxes and in an attractive gift box,” says Zokola’s Sylvie Allaeys. Part of the proceeds for every Chocolate Poppy goes to the British Legion Ypres Branch. The British Legion supports British military personnel, veterans and their families.

Blasiusstraat 97 - Krombeke 0473/96 89 72 www.zokola.be and in different sellingpoints

gastronomy

old procession. This cold dish, based on a mixture of chicken, rabbit and veal in a gelatin sauce, is traditional mainly during the week of the funfair (1st week of july) but can be eaten throughout the year.

Typically from Poperinge

Poperingse Hommelknopjes Poperinge Hop buds The “Poperingse Hommelknopjes”, a unique combination of chocolate, local beer and hop. “Hommelknop” is the Poperinge name for the hop cone, which also refers to the shape of the chocolate. The chocolate hop cone, in milk or dark chocolate, is filled with a home-made ganache based on the local Watou Tripel beer, with a dash of hop added to it.

HOPsaKEI The HOPsaKEI is a silver, brilliant aqua vitae with pleasant aromas and flavours of drupe, raspberry & lemon and contains the spiciness of hop. This distillate has the class, timidity and finesse required to be included on the menus of various first-class establishments. Kultuurgemeenschap Haringe Moenaardestraat 95 - Haringe T. 0475/66 57 03 - info@haringe.be The Poperingsche Kruydekoecke The “Couque Royale”, is made and sold by patisserie Vande Casteele as “Poperingsche Kruydekoecke”. The Kruydekoecke is made of honey, yeast, spices, rye flour and a number of other ingredients. Vandecasteele Bakery Ieperstraat 47- Poperinge Poperings Standevleesch This salted, smoked and cooked ham is served with seasonal vegetables and was introduced as a local dish for the 500th edition of the “Maria Ommegang” in 1979. It is generally served with a “plokkerssause” (gravy-like sauce), which is rather more of a sour sauce having a stock base with onions, tarragon and a dash of vinegar. The word “plokker” refers to the “vrimde plokkers” or “foreign pickers” who came to Poperinge en masse in the 50s to hand-pick the hop cones until there were only bare bines left. Various restaurants have the “Poperings Standevleesch” on their menu. Kabeljauw aan de schreve - Border Cod The “Poperingse Keurbroederschap De Witte Ranke” (Poperinge Brotherhood of the White Stalk) - whose objective is to promote the region’s gastronomic qualities - was of the opinion that the menus of the Poperinge restaurants lacked a typical fish dish. Numerous local chefs and creative leaders joined their culinary forces and, in 1986, launched

Poperingse Keikopjes These coffee sweets are made of an egg-white base, almonds and candy sugar and were presented for the 800-year anniversary of the Friday market in 1988. The “Keikopjes” are available at the local pastry of Marc Sansen’. their “Border Cod”, a cod dish consisting of cod in a light sauce with local blonde beer and cream. Everyone knows cod, and the “schreve” (which, literally, means “line”, as in “overstepping the line”) refers to the border between France and Belgium, which is approximately 5 km from Poperinge. We can therefore truly speak of a fish dish pushing back frontiers.

Houblonesse Jam Houblonesse jam is made in the traditional manner and has a hop base. This jam preserves the character of the hop sprouts and its unique crop. There are no aroma, essence or colouring additives added at all.

Hop Sprouts, Poperinge’s white gold Hop plants do not only produce hop cones but also hop sprouts and those hop sprouts form a valuable product. We refer anyone who wants to satisfy his or her hunger with this delicatessen to the many restaurants where hop sprouts are used in a most exquisite local dish. Only available in March.

Marc de Houblonesse This drink is made of hop sprouts which exude their aromas for one month and makes for a rugged mixture. The Marc de Houblonesse is formed by distilling this mixture and allowing it to mature on oak and in this way develops into a drink that caresses your taste buds. The wonderful aromas of the hop sprouts come into their own, both in the nose and the mouth. Pure enjoyment ...

Terrine De Witte Ranke White-Stalk Terrine In 1991, after De Witte Ranke decided that the local cuisine needed a typical starter, a terrine of rabbit combined with the SintBernardus Tripel beer from Watou was selected. The end result that the chefs’ creatively prepared dish produced was a delicate, tasty and soft terrine served with sweet-sour garnishing: a typically Flemish delicacy of rabbit with beer and prunes re-created into a delicious starter.

Keikoppenkaas The Keikoppen cheese was jointly created by ’t Groendal cheese farm and Sowepo. This unique collaboration produced a creamy, fibre-rich cheese, which truly does justice to the flavour of the hop shoots and preserves their character and unique culture. No aromas, flavouring, or colouring agents are used in its preparation. A pure artisan production process guarantees a superb quality product. This is the very first time that a cheese has been produced using hop shoots, making the Poperingse Keikop a world first. The cheese is a genuine farm product and is a designated ‘local’ product. The Keikop cheese won bronze in the white-mold cheese with additions category at the World Cheese Awards 2013!

Hop pate In 1987, Luc Sohier launched the hop pate for the occasion of the Hop Procession. He prepared this paste according an old recipe. A few years later, hop extract was added as natural preservative. This pate is prepared according to an age-old tradition from start to finish, without adding colouring or preservatives and it is available all year round. Hennepot This is the oldest speciality from Poperinge, said to be as old as the Maria-Ommegang, a 500 years

Marc Sansen, Gasthuisstraat 36, Poperinge. T 057/33 50 04

Houblonesse Jenever Houblonesse is a traditionally distilled gin of 35°. Besides the traditional spices, hop sprouts are added during the distilling process. You will find that the Houblonesse Jenever has the genuine, natural aroma of the hop sprouts and a distinctively mild taste. Sowepo vzw Vlaanderenlaan 25 - Poperinge 057/ 33 43 77 www.houblonesse.be

www.toerismepoperinge.be

Bezoekerscentrum Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery © B.AD

City behind the front

Almost 100 years after the First World War, the “Westhoek” (“Western Corner”) is preparing for a historical remembrance of this Armageddon. Although Poperinge, in contrast to Ypres, for example, was not on the front, countless traces of the Great War are to be found in both the inner city and surrounding areas. Talbot House, which strove to be “a home from home” to the British soldiers, evokes the atmosphere of these sombre days. Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery opened a brand new visitors’ centre in 2012. Thanks to permanent research and donations this site has now evolved to a place where visitors frequently can discover new features such as photographs and personal belongings of victims who are buried there. But the many other large and small graveyards all over the city also keep the memory alive. This is a visit that will leave noone unmoved.

Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, discover the visitors’ centre

Lijssenthoek impressive witness of more than four years of warfare. The largest evacuation hospital in the Ypres Salient was established in the hamlet of Lijssenthoek from 1915 to 1920. Today, the cemetery reflects the Great War. The visitors’ centre tells the story of this unique site. Annemie Morisse, who is responsible for the research explains all during a guided tour. She’s already waiting in front of the visitor’s centre when we drive onto the parking lot. The building is based on the design by Luc Vandewynckel, architect from Poperinge. It refers to the old evacuation hospitals barrack structure. It blends harmoniously with the landscape, as if it has always been there. A historic place Annemie takes us inside and it strikes us how much light there is in the building. We can see the fields on one side and the cemetery on the other. “The building was erected here because this is the most historic place on the site. This is the exact spot where the French field hospital was located from 1915 onwards,” says Annemie. “The side entrance to the building, which used to be the entrance to the cemetery, is also historically correct. The first casualties were buried in 1915. The cemetery was then expanded in concentric circles around that spot.”

Story of the day Two large red blocks on both sides of the central lobby stand out in the large hall. On the right is a red wall with a giant calendar page

First World War

Visitor Centre Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery Boescheepseweg 35A, Poperinge www.lijssenthoek.be - daily from 9am to 6pm - free entry - fully accessible to disabled visitors - information in Braille - car park facilities - toilets

in the centre showing today’s date and the name of a soldier who died on the same day. “You can print this soldier’s story in one of four languages. This gives you “story of the day” and a map of the cemetery indicating the location of the soldier’s grave. This is intended to give visitors who are not specifically looking for a family member, a way to get to know the cemetery by looking for the headstone of their “person of the day”. The story of the day is also

tors. And the latter’s reactions are also positive.” On the other side, there is the “red box”. Don’t be alarmed when you see people pressing their ear against the wall during your visit: that is what it’s there for. The whispering wall has a button that children, wheelchair users and adults can reach if they want to listen to excerpts from diaries and letters.

The operation ward After having listened to an The figures on the time excerpt from a letter that was line are linked to a left on one of the number of landmarks headstones, we during war go on to the informative part of the visitors’ centre. “We call this used as a starting point for guided the operation ward,” says Annegroup tours. This avoids situations mie. “One wall tells the story of where everyone always goes out the hospital and another tells that looking for the same “familiar” of the cemetery. And here is a wall graves. The fact that people learn for the people who are really inteabout less well-known stories – rested in what actually happened you might even call them banal during the war.” sometimes – perfectly matches the We see a time line on which each concept of a tear-off calendar. The mark represents a day. A blood-red red wall is covered with a mosaic graph shows the number of casualof pictures of the soldiers buried at ties buried at Lijssenthoek every the site. “The pictures are stuck in day. “You can see at a glance that a type of scrapbook. Since the opemost casualties occurred in 1917, ning event in 2012, we were able to but you will also notice that people add more than 180 new portraits died here throughout the entire war. on top of the thousand pictures that It never stopped. We can even see were already displayed on the wall. a few remarkable peaks in 1916, a People appreciate this effort. They year in which it is said that nothing are willing to cooperate and donate happened at the front. These figufamily pictures”, says Annemie. res are linked to a number of landAs we leave this side of the pavilion marks during the war, to the story behind us, our guide tells us about of the Ypres Salient and to some visitors’ reactions: “There’s a unainteresting details about what hapnimous reaction of praise. We wanpened in Poperinge. We find that ted to build a visitors’ centre that people who come to visit more than caters both for the uninitiated, who once browse through this time line are introduced to the history of the in search of new information.” place, and for well-informed visi-

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Group visits Tourist Office Poperinge Grote Markt 1, Poperinge toerisme@poperinge.be T 00 32 57 34 66 76 www.toerismepoperinge.be Research WWI-office Poperinge Gasthuisstraat 67, Poperinge lijssenthoek@poperinge.be T 00 32 472 46 12 17 www.lijssenthoek.be

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Behind the frontline A stop motion video illustrating the continuous flow of injured soldiers arriving and leaving by train is projected on the fourth wall of the “operation ward”. There is a touch table in the middle of the room: a long table with built-in computers for research and display cabinets containing objects linked to the site. Maps and aerial photographs literally map out the situation at the front. “Many visitors arriving at the centre can’t always position Lijssenthoek and Poperinge in relation to the front. Here we clearly show that Poperinge was located behind the front line,” Annemie explains. We are slowly reaching the end of our visit, which brings us to the practical matter of opening hours. “The visitors’ centre is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., 7 days a week. We really owe this to ourselves to some extent,” says Annemie, “because we want to tell the daily story of the war, literally from day to day. There would be no point in having a tear-off calendar if the place wasn’t open every day.” This is where our guided visit ends. We leave the visitors’ centre through the historic side entrance and walk a little further along the street side, where a line-up of 1,392 rust-coloured poles serves not only to ensure the pedestrians’ safety but also to show the graphs of those buried in the cemetery. Small indentations indicate the daily death toll. With our story of the day in our hands, we set out to look for the grave of a certain soldier named John Armitage Hartley, who died on 19 December 1915, a cloudy day...

Lijssenthoek ON YOUR SMARTPHONE An app was developed within the European project entitled “The Great War Remembered”. You can follow the story of nurse Jane, researcher Guillaume and gardener Tom on your smartphone. They lead you to ten interesting sites, each of which is linked to a story. Images bring the evacuation hospital back to life. The application is part of the “Dagboek 14-18” (“14-18 Diary”) series that connects five war sites.

03 Executieplaats © archief Lijssenthoek

‘Executed by shooting, the war behind the lines’ Renovation of the execution spot and death cells

Although Poperinge was situated a few kilometres behind the front line, the war atrocities are still present in the heart of the city. The death-row cells and the execution pole in the city hall courtyard are silent witnesses to a particularly tragic page in First World War history. Today, visitors can experience the haunting feeling that came over the condemned prisoners during the final hours before their execution. The cells in the “new town hall” were put to use in October 1913. Many Belgian, British and French soldiers spent one or more nights in these cells during the First World War. They were convicted of drunkeness, civil disobedience, making noise in the streets, being in an area that was restricted for soldiers (usually a pub) or failing to return to their place of residence. Death-cell graffiti Some people left behind graffiti trails: drawings of busty ladies, lewd remarks, names and dates, emblems, etc. For a number of soldiers, these cells were their death cells where they spent the last night before their execution. The executions were carried out on the courtyard of the city hall at first light, hence the phrase “shot at dawn”. Two cells have remained intact.

Executed by shooting 3,080 soldiers were sentenced to death in the British army. 346 executions were actually carried out. The other sentences were converted into prison sentences. The bulk of the 346 soldiers executed (77 %) were convicted for desertion, 10% for murder, 5% for cowardice. Other offences punishable by the death were: mutiny, disobedience, sleeping on duty, abandoning one’s post, throwing down one’s arms

and striking a superior officer. Twenty-five British soldiers and two Canadian soldiers were executed in Greater Poperinge. Today, seventeen executed soldiers lie at Poperinghe New Military Cemetery. There are other graves of soldiers who were shot at dawn on Poperinge territory, at the British military cemeteries of Lijssenthoek, Poperinge Old, Reninghelst New, Nine Elms, Mendinghem. All in all, the British

army carried out sixty-nine executions in the Westhoek. The Westhoek victims with headstones are divided over twenty-three cemeteries. Four of them are remembered on the Menin Gate and three on the Ploegsteert memorial. The town hall courtyard and the death cells are symbolic. This is the only site where the story of the executions is told with such directness.

Greater experiential value The renovation of this WWI site was intended to provide it with a greater experiential value. One cell is closed and visitors look in through a crack in the cell door. They see a cinematic impression of the wait: How do you experience these last moments, waiting for your death? How do you deal with the fear and defiance? This question goes far beyond the mere historic aspects. One can visit the other cell, where there is an explanation about the graffiti on the walls. Bleak intimacy The execution pole was moved and is now clearly visible from the death cell. A seat and wall, both of which are constructed in concrete, enclose the pole and increase the bleak intimacy of this place of execution. Cement clinkers have been replaced by cobble stones, with the imprint of a bird’s paw here and there. This refers to man’s fragility. Here, too – just as at the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery – a poem by Erwin Mortier exhibits the deeper dimension of the location. Shot at dawn At least four soldiers were executed in the town hall courtyard. They are buried at Poperinghe New Military Cemetery. Seventeen executed soldiers lie in this cemetery: a sad record. The personal stories of these young men, some of whom died very young, add even greater poignancy to the notion of the executions.

Light, bleak dawn. The worn out night bursting open in my chest and fading. My hands holding the glass – my last one. The priest bringing his god, the doctor and his opiates. Mother of God. Out there she’s warming her feet against the coal. Out there she’s turning in her sleep. Do not aim at me, lads. Aim at the white cloth on my chest. Light, bleak light etching words, bare words in the walls. -Erwin Mortier-

Execution spot & Death cells Town Hall Poperinge Guido Gezellestraat 1, Poperinge Daily open from 6 am to 10 pm. Free entry. Group visits Tourist Office Poperinge Grote Markt 1, Poperinge toerisme@poperinge.be T 00 32 57 34 66 76 www.toerismepoperinge.be

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Talbot House: welcome yourself to T.H.

Historic night

Lt. Gilbert TALBOT 30 July 1915, Sanctuary Wood Cemetery Zillebeke (Ypres)

Do you want to make your visit to Talbot House an unforgettable experience? Are you looking for the same peace, quiet and relaxation that the British soldiers found here during World War I? Be our guest and stay the night at Talbot House. The house offers sleeping accommodation for 18 people, spread over ten rooms.

You will find Talbot House, “Every man’s Club”, where British soldiers could get some peace and quiet in the midst of the acts of war, about 100 metres from the Hop Museum. Today, just as it was then, Talbot House is a peaceful stop in the “Westhoek”. You you get acquaisted with historical figures and of the people who run the house today. It breathes history, while fresh cuppas are made every day. And there is no sign above the piano saying “Do not touch, please” – on the contrary.

Some history During the First World War the German advance was halted just to the northeast of Ypres, while the area on the ‘friendly’ side remained in Allied hands. Both armies dug in around the town, which became known as ‘the Ypres Salient’. As it happened, Poperinge found itself a few kilometres away from the noise (and range!) of all but the heaviest gunfire. This little place, that had been so peaceful before the war, was now taken over by the British, who turned ‘Pop’ into a near garrison town. The small provincial town rapidly expanded into a busy metropolis with approximately 250,000 men crisscrossing its busy centre by the infamous

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to temporarily block out the war on many a dark and dreary night. Just like for its wartime audiences, the ‘Happy Hoppers’ will convince you that there is a world beyond, until the curtain falls and your visit to the Talbot House has come to an end... A bed with real sheets Although the original owner came back to live in the house again after the war, Talbot House continued its life in the spirit of the veterans and their relatives. Then, at last, the house could be purchased from its private owner. It was reopened and a new destination was added; since the 1970s it has also been possible to stay the night at Talbot House (see part in the frame).

Little Paris

Different forms of recreation and commercial entertainment quickly sprang up in a town behind the front line, turning it into a haven where soldiers momentarily forgot about the misery of war. Not without reason, Poperinge was referred to at that time as ‘Little Paris’ or ‘Little Soho’. The thematic itinerary ‘Imagine you’re in Paris’ (see p. 24) tells you all about this aspect of daily life in ‘Pop’.

That is how you can follow the course of the war: by looking at the highest and lowest number of fatal casualties.

year 1917! It was here that Chaplain Philip ‘Tubby’ Clayton, opened a club for weary soldiers, an ‘Every Man’s Club’ as all men – irrespective of rank – would be welcome here. The Club was named ‘Talbot House’ after a recently-killed young officer, and became a place where everything reminded the visitor of a world without war. The piano on the veranda made sad souls lift their spirits. On the first floor the only victory one had to fight for was at a game of billiards or chess. And in the attic a discarded carpenter’s bench was rejuvenated to serve as the altar of the House’s ever-peaceful chapel.

A memorable visit The permanent exhibition will introduce you to the hinterland of the Ypres Salient. Rest camps, field hospitals, stores and laundries were dotted all over the Poperinge countryside. Soldiers and citizens, locals and refugees, doctors and nurses, Chinese labourers... they all tell their own poignant stories. After this preliminary visit, Chaplain Clayton takes you through the hustle and bustle of the town to his Talbot House, right from the day the Club opened in December 1915 until it was officially acquired and re-opened in 1931. The trees and flowers in the garden, which made soldiers forget the war for a moment, are as appealing as

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ever. In the house the walls and decorations still tell of an unimaginable past, and of the house’s erstwhile visitors, some of whom quite literally left their fingerprints – like on the old army map in the hall. From hopstore to Concert Hall Your visit ends in a different part of the estate. What was once a hopstore is still accessible from the garden. Although the first floor used primarily to celebrate mass, very soon all manner of entertainment was organised in what became known as the ‘Concert Hall’. Especially the Hall’s theatrical and musical shows helped

Talbot House Gasthuisstraat 43, Poperinge info@talbothouse.be T 0032 57 33 32 28 F 0032 57 33 21 83 Opening hours Tuesday – Sunday from 10 am to 17.30 pm. Last entry at 16.30 pm. Prices - 7 years FREE 7-22 years €5 22-65 yearts €8 65 years €7 groupprices: see website www.talbothouse.be

www.toerismepoperinge.be

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A different view of war: taking an (inter)active walk through the war years of the Westhoek...

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Poperinge commemorates the First World War Commemoration events: 2014-2015

6 September 2014 - 5 September 2015 I Poperinge, railway station and surroundings

Do you want to experience the tragic but sometimes also surprising story of the First World War differently? This is now possible ... both Talbot House and the Tourist Office have developed numerous formulas offering you the opportunity of discovering the little stories behind historical events. We have selected a few.

Heavy Traffic - railway traffic and other means of transport in Poperinge 1914-1918’ interactive diorama and outdoor exhibition The railway station of Poperinge was a logistic turntable and central turning point for the medical evacuation towards France. Not only soldiers and freight were moved to and from the frontline through railway line L.69 Poperinge-Hazebrouck. Wounded and sick soldiers as well as refugees passed through Poperinge. A multilingual app L.69 leaves the railway station and guides hikers and cyclists along several WW I sites with a story. Images of bygone days emerge and old railway maps reveal an ingenious network of routes. The launch of the app is linked to the editing of an authentic road map and to the outdoor exhibition ‘Heavy Traffic, railway traffic and other means of transport in Poperinge 1914-1918’. The interactive diorama of a station scene from 1914/1917 will fascinate all ages.

The Soundtrack of 14-18

28 March 2015 – 13 September 2015 I Kinderbrouwerij (kids factory), Reningelstplein, Reningelst

musical dinner with songs that won the Great War

Illustrated by the War

During the Great War, Poperinge was the first city behind the Ypres Salient. Soldiers there found relative rest after enduring the cruelties in the trenches. During four years, the city witnessed war violence. For many people, Poperinge was the final destination. At this juncture, between front line and home, between amusement and intense loss, the musical dinner “The Soundtrack of 14-18” takes place. In a unique setting, you are offered a three-course meal. After each dish, the stage is taken by musicians. They’ll tell you stories, recite poems and bring a variety of songs dating from the Great War.

During 2014 six illustrators will reside in the ‘Kinderbrouwerij’. During WW I this building served as a bathing facility for 40,000 British soldiers who had their quarters at Reningelst. After having explored the neighbourhood, they’ll return home to contemplate on WW I and its effect on the modern landscape. In 2015 their interpretational drawings will be displayed at the kids factory and it will be linked to a digital bike and experience tour for kids.

From 12 March 2014 - each Wednesday from 7.30pm - Hotel Palace at Poperinge - groups from 30 people can choose their own day or moment of performance (on demand)

Americans. The soldiers came to POP to rest for a few days behind the front. They came to relax there and also worked or trained for new actions. People who had misbehaved were judged there. The highest sentence was the death penalty by firing squad. A considerable number of executions were carried out in Poperinge between 1916 and 1919 (see also p. 20-21). The POP route takes you along many cemeteries but there are also less remarkable relics and remains of the gigantic infrastructure of an army of

Wind Dangerous

- For further information, tickets and data, consult www.lijssenthoek.be (events 2014-2018) or call the Tourist Office via T 0032 (0)57 34 66 76

Sound & light event and artistic circuit On April 22nd 1915, the German army launches the second battle of the Salient with a new weapon: gas. The attack starts at 5.30pm and at 8pm the first casualties reach Poperinge. When the wind blows from the East, Poperinge is particularly on the lookout. At the outer wall of the Town Hall a sign was attached with the warning ‘Wind dangerous’. The wind as power, as flow, as source of energy, as wrongdoer, as omen, as conductor of odours and colours, as source of inspiration for artists : this is the starting point of ‘Wind Dangerous’. Odour artist Peter De Cupere is the curator of the artistic circuit. An international production house creates a sound and light event on site. The event is staged in the historic setting of the Lovie domain. In the manor, the headquarters of the British Forces was installed.

Cycling theme itinerary May 2015 – July 2015 I Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery visitor centre, Boescheepseweg 35A, Poperinge

millions. Above all, this route brings you close to the stories of how the soldiers experienced this war and how they tried to lead a normal life there again.

Flanders Fields - final destination Poperinge

Musical production - Set up in association with ‘Musical van Vlaanderen’ Flanders Fields is a new musical production, a creation especially written and composed in remembrance of 1914-1918. The play will be staged on location, next to Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. On this former hospital site, almost 11,000 victims are buried. The musical production focuses on the stories behind the headstones. A professional cast of actors and musicians will create a meaningful night for all ages and stimulate reflection. For further details, contact the Tourist Office, Grote Markt 1, Poperinge, T. 0032 (0)57 346 676 toerisme@poperinge.be

For more information : info@westtoer.be or www.fietsen-wandelen.be The cycle route itinerary is available at the Poperinge Tourist Office. © Music Hall nv

24 April 2015 - 31 August 2015 I Poperinge, domain and manor De Lovie, Krombeekseweg 82

- €55/per person

POProute - Cycling behind the front Do you have an inclination for sport and do you want to combine an exciting history lesson with a relaxing cycle outing in the beautiful area around Poperinge? Then this 34-kilometre cycle route is just what you are looking for. This cycle route takes you along to the traces of the First World War behind the front. Poperinge – or POP, as the foreign troops called it – and the surrounding villages were swamped with troops from the British Empire and France and, in the end, even with

Illustrators’ view on WW I

www.toerismepoperinge.be

The traditional games route lively national sport from the days of yore Discover the genuine Hop Land

If you are looking for authentic tradition, want to discover the typical atmosphere of a town or region, you will have to be prepared to leave the well-trodden path. Leave the safe town centre behind you and start walking around in the many remarkable villages around Poperinge. There you can see how traditions are preserved, how certain folk tales and legends arose, how age-old folkloric games are still popular and how, in this era where speed is of the essence, you can take off time to really enjoy life. Prepare yourself for a sound dose of local colour along the Schreve...

Leave that PSP at home! Leave your Nintendo DS in your suitcase! No, you don’t need an iPad or any other high-tech modern games to enjoy yourself when you come to Poperinge, either for a short or a long stay. The traditionail games route has quite successfully survived the modern forms of recreation in various cosy pubs in and around Poperinge. Start off and travel along the traditional games route to discover our ancestors’ home entertainment.

Pleasure and enjoyment About ten traditional games routes have been worked out in and around Poperinge. The routes are all set loop-shaped routes and can only be reserved for groups (of at least 10 adults). It is the ideal outing to experience a day of pleasure and enjoyment with friends. Or an excellent idea for an original family celebration. Or perhaps an absolute must as an incentive for colleagues ... No matter whom you take along, the traditional games route is guaranteed to offer you the ideal opportunity to experience the Westhoek traditions and authentic atmosphere in a cosy environment. Horse and Cart Do you want to go all the way with your “journey in time” experience? You can do so by going on one of the two routes, which have been designed for horse and covered wagon. After a day full of inspiring cosiness,

everyone goes home all the richer for having experienced so many new things. Children’s route There are many experiences to be enjoyed by the whole family. The children’s brewery in Reningelst opened at June 2012 and plays an important role in our children’s route. During this pleasant (half) day, children and adults alike can get to know numerous new games. There is an extraordinary menu in the family pub, which shows where you can find beers in the Westhoek (including the organic Rookop beer of the house) and an extended menu of the sweets for the children (including the homemade Rookop tart). So, games to be played and festive food to be had by all, big and small! All information on the traditional games route is available at the Tourist Office

Vleteren

local colour

We have already visited Poperinge’s own boroughs but if you would like to continue your search for authenticity and picturesque little places, then you may certainly not ignore West- and Oostvleteren. Westvleteren is particularly famous for its St. Sixtus Abbey and the world-famous beer. Two walking routes introduce you to the other facets of these two villages which, together with Woesten, form the community of Vleteren. Please contact the Poperinge Tourist Office for further information.

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The belt around Poperinge exploring the remarkable villages around the hop town Watou is undoubtedly the most famous village in the vicinity of Poperinge but it is not the only one. We will take you along for a surprising exploratory journey that is submersed in the local culture of the hop country’s picturesque villages.

We start our journey outside Poperinge, in Watou. It is situated to the west of Poperinge and borders on France. Watou has its two breweries established there and the Poetry Summer, which has made way for the Arts Festival of Collected Stories during the last few years, to thank for its fame. After Watou, we continue our circle trip of Poperinge in Abele, which literally lies on the “schreve” (the literal meaning of which is “line”, as in “overstepping the line”) as the French-Belgian border is commonly referred to here. In the past, it was an important border crossing for international goods carriage. The more nostalgic among you, who still appreciate the charms of the border crossing and controls of the non-united Europe, can still see the red and white barrier in the place where the customs office used to be, currently referred to as “Kommiezenkot” (“customs hut”). The Kommiezenkot was actually refurbished to its original state and is now a retro pub with a small exhibition. We leave Watou and Abele and travel northwards to Proven where we find Kasteel Couthof, a classicist construction dating back to 1763. Former mayor, Henri d’Udekem D’Acoz, uncle to queen Mathilde, wife of the current Belgian crown prince, lives in this castle. The castle has a history for receiving famous and highranking visitors. During WW I, Queen Elisabeth stayed in the castle for two months. King Albert I and the English King George V often visited there. After Proven, we head north-west and first travel to Roesbrugge and then to Haringe. Once again, we

23th 2014). Horse races are held in the meadow as of 5 p.m. After the races, everyone goes back to the village centre for the shows staged there. The horse-race ball takes place in the Witsoone hall. We round of our visit to the remarkable villages around Poperinge in Reningelst, south-east of the town. This borough forms the entrance gate to the “Heuvelland” (“land of hills”). Reningelst is a cyclist village. During the week of the fair (last week of July), cycling fans and cyclists come into their own. On Tuesday, the amateur competitors and holiday cyclists can display their skills in a team time race during the Florent Bafcop Memorial. During the “Internatie” (“Inter-nation”) competition, the competitive over After the races, everyone cyclists the age of 23, goes back to the village both with and centre for the shows with-out contract, have their staged there. competition. made Haringe the ideal operating This competition has developed into area for smugglers. Even today, the a top cycling competition since it visitor is reminded of that little piece started in 1974. Almost all the top of history of the people from Haringe. Belgian teams and cyclists took part The Karel de Blauwer Monument in this race at some stage or another. pays its respects to this history, in Our journey around Poperinge, in which the inhabitants tried to soften search of local customs, objects and the harsh daily existence by way of matters characteristic of the Westtheir clandestine operations. hoek, is finished. There are many We quickly pack our smuggled goods more walks that have been worked and leave the French border. We out and that offer you the opportunity start galloping in the direction of of experiencing the local colour in Krombeke, where the focus is on and around Poperinge. the horse and the horse lover once You will find an outline of these at a year - at the Horse Festival, when www.toerismepoperinge.be or you there is a market for horses, ponies can request them at the Poperinge and second-hand accessories (June Tourist Office. are very near the French border. The Yser river flows into Belgium at Roesbrugge. The tow path along the Yser therefore invites us to make a pleasant and healthy walk in the magnificent countryside of the Westhoek. There is a map of a walk (of 6.8 km) that has been marked out along the “Dode IJzer” (Dead Yser). The “Dode IJzer” walk automatically takes us into Haringe. If you want to take a rest on a warm summer’s day, you can cool off in the Sint-Martinuskerk (St. Martin’s Church). The Westhoek already has a brewery village in the form of Watou and Haringe provides it with a “blauwers” village ... “Blauwen” means “to smuggle” and “blauwers” are “smugglers”. Its location at the French-Belgian border

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Parading, shopping and nosing about: Poperinge for the modern city tripper If you prefer just wandering through the town streets, where you let fate, a sudden whiff or rule of thumb take over, Poperinge is bound to win your heart. It has everything, ranging from the Burggraaf Frimout Park and many boutiques to remarkable and surprising works of art, etc. Poperinge has numerous trumps to charm anyone who is on the lookout for contemporary city-trip pleasure.

A plunge in the past, an eye on the future

You cannot erase the rich historical past from your mind while walking through Poperinge. Apart from the hop heritage and traces of WW I, the town is full of monuments and buildings that left an imprint on the greater and lesser history of Poperinge. Anyone walking around in the streets and on the squares will notice that there are signs of the town’s bubbling life in everything around him or her. New projects, the most diverse shops where you will find everything and anything that you are looking for, lively restaurants and pubs ... let there be no doubt: Popering cherishes its past and heritage, stands fairly and squarely with both feet in the present and keeps a sharp eye focused on the future.

past&present

Shop in POP Ieperstraat and Gasthuisstraat are Poperinge’s high streets. You will find both chain stores and smaller boutiques. And what they have on offer is as diverse as it is extensive. You will find many little shops and speciality business in the many smaller (side) streets, where hospitality and professional service are of paramount importance. Whether you are looking for a typically regional product, trendy outfit, surprise gift or nifty gadget, you will definitely find it in Poperinge. Green lung Do you just want to escape the hustle and bustle of the town for a while and peacefully take a stroll in a green environment? The Burggraaf Frimout Park is right in the centre of the town. This green lung is divided into three areas: a demonstration area with small gardens, an organic area and a recreational and cultural area where events are held regularly. The park was formally opened in 2002 and is a tribute to to the 1st Belgian astronaut, Dirk Frimout, who was born in Poperinge. The work of art in the park alludes to Dirk Frimout’s space flight and was created by his brother, Cyr. Every year, the park participates in the Day of the Park and sports great variety. In July and August young musical talent takes over the park during the free

park concerts evening.

mostly on Thursday

Discover the city and its heritage Since December 2013, you can find 14 info stands in the centre of Poperinge that point out the major attractions. So you can pause at Talbot House, WWI history, the statue of ‘Meester Ghybe’, Gasthuiskapel (Guest House Chapel), the Weeuwhof (Widows court) and Hotel Skindles etc. During the walk you can take a detour to the urban cemetery in the Rekhof, where an information board provides details about ten remarkable tombs. The visitor can admire a fascinating representation of styles (Neoclassical, Neotraditional, modernist and eclectic etc.), symbolism, (pillars, statues, plants and lettering, etc.) and stories about the deceased mayor, doctor, tobacco manufacturer, linguist and hop grower. To enjoy this walk (circa 3 km), simply follow the rivets depicting the hop flower or ask the tourist service for a city map. The route is accessible to wheelchair users.

The booklet with the accompanying map of walking routes is available at the Poperinge Tourist Office. wwwtoerismepoperinge.be

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Allow us to introduce you to the rich heritage of a "stubborn" town About stubborn characters, mules and a strange “Meester Ghybe” ... Poperinge was rather well-known in Flanders long before hops were cultivated there. The cloth industry in the 12th and 13th centuries was accompanied by welfare and prosperity and contributed towards giving the people of Poperinge their nickname of “keikoppen” (stubborn characters). Numerous buildings and monuments are still contemporary evidence of the town’s rich and sometimes moving past. City walk through the centre of hops and beer If you want to get to know the history of Poperinge in a nutshell, you must definitely go on the Heritage Walking tour. This 2.8 km route takes you through the heart of the town and introduces you to a few of the most remarkable facts in our history. The walk starts off at the sign outside the Monument of Soldiers killed in Action on the Market Square, which has been the political and economic heart of the town since time immemorial. Gasthuisstraat, the name of which is derived from the guest house where convent nuns looked after pilgrims, the poor and the sick since the 15th century, is an important street in Poperinge and during this walk. This is where you will find historical buildings such as Talbot House and the Hop Museum.

Back to front on a donkey We have mentioned the name already: Meester (Master) Ghybe. That is a strange name and not really so surprising because the letters of his name stand for three cities that were leaders in the cloth industry during the Middle Ages: Ghent (Gh), Ypres (y) and Bruges (b). Meester Ghybe was a caricature created by the “Gilde van de Keikoppen”. By creating this figure, they wanted to make fun of the prohibition to stop doing their own weaving, which was imposed on them, among others, at the request of Ypres. During festivities, the Guild sent a donkey with the figure of Meester Ghybe seated on it – back to front – and he was hitting a stone. The donkey symbolised Flanders and the stone represented the stubborn – or stubborn character – of Poperinge.

Poor widows Weeuwhof is another stop along this walking tour. Here, Canon Proventier had twelve small houses built for widows (“weeuw” means “widow” in the local dialect) and for single ladies in need who were over the age of 70. The Burgemeester Bertenplein, which was constructed in the 14th century as second market square, still radiates a certain 18th-century grandeur. Among others, you will see the “college” (secondary school), which dates back to the 18th century and was expanded during the 19th century. The monumental “Huis van Merris” (no. 19) will definitely appeal to lovers of historical architecture.

Churches A walk through the historical centre of a town such as Poperinge will obviously take you past a few churches. You have the Gothic Our Lady’s Church, for example, of which the choir screen, in which there are beautiful wood carvings of musical instruments, is more than worth every visitor’sattention. One again finds the local colour in hop cones in the rood loft and hop-picking scenes in the modern stained glass windows in the Saint Berth’s Church. As a matter of fact, there is a statue of “Meester Ghybe” behind the choir of the Saint Berth’s Church (see frame). The Gothic Saint John’s Church is particularly famous as a place of pilgrimage to Our Lady. It was thanks to Her that there was a miracle in 1479, on which the annual Maria-Ommegang (Maria Procession) was founded.

You just have to see this Over and above the monuments and buildings that you encounter on the Heritage Walk, Poperinge does, of course have other sights worth seeing, each of which has its own story and deserving a little detour. We have selected a few for you. At Bruggestraat number 9, there is the house in which a poor weaver’s family lived in 1479. Their still-born child was brought back to life through Our Lady of St. John. Their house is called the Mirakelhuisje (Miracle house). The Spellewerkege (lace maker) monument at the end of the Sint-Anna street refers to the lace industry as an important source of income for the inhabitants of the “weeuwhof” (widows’ court). You will see that the entire Poperinge

inner town is teeming with historical evidence of a rich history. There are so many that it is impossible to summarise all of them here. Are you particularly interested in religious heritage? Or do you want to know everything about the First World War? Do you prefer the brewing traditions bubbling up in the town? The Tourist Office will gladly help you and will start you on your way on a custom-made journey to explore your interests. For a detailed description + map from the Heritage Walk and a full summary of historical, religious and other heritage of the town, please go the Tourist Office or visit us at www.toerismepoperinge.be.

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Town of Peace Anyone who wants to immerse himself or herself in the history of the First World War cannot omit Ypres. The history of the Town of Peace, Ypres, is to be found in the large selection of varied tourist attractions. The Cloth Halls and St. Martin’s Church take the visitors back to the Middle Ages. The Vauban fortifications have been re-constructed into a beautiful walking area. The urban museums are unique gems in Flanders. The “In Flanders Fields” Museum, the Menin Gate, the cemeteries and the monuments remind one of the War from 1914 to1918.

Accomodation

Did reading this magazine whet your appetite and make you conclude that one short day will probably not be enough if you want to visit Poperinge? Don’t worry, you will find countless possibilities to stay the night in and around the hop town: cosy hotels, hospitable B&Bs or guest rooms and holiday resorts for large(r) groups. Poperinge is the ideal base from which you can move out to explore the vast surrounding area: from the world-famous abbey breweries such as the one in Westvleteren to the battlefields of 1914-1918 where the centenary of the Great War will attract tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world during the next few years, and the surprising diversity of Northern France, where the focus is on its Culture Capital, Lille. A day in Poperinge can therefore quickly be extended to a week-end, mid-week or even an entire week, without being bored for one minute. The many festivities and events will also ensure that this will be a stay to remember for years to come.

You will find a summary of the hotels and other accommodation on the next pages.

prolonging your stay

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Coast and Hills “Heuvelland” lies south of Poperinge, a municipality that originated from merging eight villages. There are beautiful panoramic views, forested inclines, nature reserves and meadows of agricultural land which make up this sloping region. It is ideal for a brisk hike in the green fields, an adventurous mountain-bike ride and peaceful journey on horseback. During the first weekend of August every year, Dranouter becomes the meeting place for thousands of music lovers. The Dranouter Festival has expanded from a pure folk festival into an internationally renowned music festival where music lovers of various different genres come into their own. The landscape from the West-Flemish hills to Jacques Brel’s flat land

at the coast may be a great adjustment but the feeling stays the same: enjoying nature, leisure and the good life. At half an hour’s drive from Poperinge, you can taste the clean air and pleasant beautiful noise, hustle and bustle of the coastal region. France Poperinge lies only a few minutes from France. The diversity of Northern France will amaze all visitors. Take a plunge into the culturally rich Lille and Dunkirk, where you will experience real town life with its numerous museums, a wide range of shops, countless events, restaurants and pub terraces. If you want a breath of fresh air, you can go to the cliffs of Cap Griz Nez and Cap Blanc Nez.

Poperinge

your home base to explore the Westhoek and French Flanders The hop town and the Westhoek themselves have a whole lot of trump cards to offer the tourist visitor in search of added value. Moreover, because it is located at only a few double-figured kilometres from the Coast and because it literally sits right on the French border, Poperinge is the ideal home base to (re-)discover the surrounding regions while enjoying a prolonged stay. A wide variety to suit each and every taste ... 100 years after the Great War There is already much hustle and bustle in the region in the run-up to the 2014-2018 commemorations of the Great War. Anyone who wants to explore the region before the great rush can do so now by way of countless cycling and walking routes. There are various possibilities for anyone who wants to leave on a day trip through “Flanders’ fields” by car in search of the story behind the numerous, landscape’s silent witnesses of the war horrors. The In Flanders Fields route (82 km) explores the southern Westhoek. The focus is on the countless relics and monuments that remind us of WW I. The IJzerfrontroute (79 km) explores the polder landscape between Nieuwpoort, Koekelare and Diksmuide. Finally, the “Bachten de kuperoute” (behind the water basin, referring to the river Yser) (94 km), explores the most rural part of the Westhoek between the North Sea, the French border and the Yser. The route follows the sedate villages and historical towns.

Outside Travel Looking for a sensational activity?

Gasthuisstraat 28 - 8970 Poperinge T 057 33 87 01 - FAX 057 33 81 36 www.outsidetravel.be www.outsideadventure.be

Outside Travel offers the ultimate solution: Adventurous, a unique environment, affordable and with that special extra touch

Paintball Do you love a day packed with action and excitement? Then paintball is definitely what you’re looking for. Paintball is the ideal activity for an exciting day out. The great thing about the sport is that anyone can do it. Size and strength are not important, what you need are tactics, cooperation and sportsmanship! From EUR 19.50 per person Wakeboarden This is one of the latest sporting activities that you can enjoy at Outside’s on the lake in the Adventure Park. The cable runway is ideal for beginners as well as more advanced participants to enjoy endless thrills! The speed at which you skim across the water provides the ultimate adrenaline kick. From EUR 17.50 per person. Quad the mud flies in all directions and the adrenaline courses through your body: quad riding offers all the ingredients for a spectacular day of fun. After a short briefing you can set off along the enclosed circuit. From EUR 18.50 per person. We can also organise trips abroad to distant countries as well as family holidays, adventure holidays, skiing trips, weekend breaks and city trips.

www.toerismepoperinge.be

Hotels

number of rooms

rate single

rate double

MIN. - MAX

Guest rooms

number of rooms

rate single

rate double

MIN. - MAX

Manoir Ogygia★★★★

€ 130 € 180

€ 155 € 225

Amfora★★★★

€ 93 € 133

Hotel Recour★★★★

€ 90 € 170

€ 100 € 340

B&B Atalanta★★★★

€ 55 € 80

€ 70 € 95

Belfort★★★

€ 70 € 70

€ 90 € 90

Popshouse★★★★

€ 75

€ 90 € 125

Hotel Amfora★★★

€ 71,50 € 91,50

€ 83 € 123

Boerenhol★★★★

€ 85 € 120

€ 105 € 130

Hotel de la Paix★★★

€ 92,50 € 92,50

€ 115 € 115

Predikherenhof★★

€ 51 excl. toer. taks

€ 82 excl. toer. taks

Palace★★

€ 70

€ 90

Bea's Bed & Breakfast★★

€ 55

€ 75

Gasthof de kring★★

€ 54 € 66

€ 68 € 92

Buxushof★

€ 45 € 50

€ 70 € 75

’t Kommiezenkot★★

€ 60 € 60

De Rentmeesterhoeve★★★★

€ 105 € 150

€ 120 € 165

B&B Landhuis Vedastus★★★

€ 63 € 73

€ 93 € 103

Landgoed Argilière★

€ 35

€ 75

Veurnestraat 108 - 8970 Poperinge 057 33 88 38 info@ogygia.be www.ogygia.be Guido Gezellestraat 7 - 8970 Poperinge 057 33 57 25 info@pegasusrecour.be www.pegasusrecour.be Grote Markt 29 - 8970 Poperinge 057 33 88 88 hotelbelfort@telenet.be www.hotelbelfort.be Grote Markt 36 - 8970 Poperinge 057 33 94 05 info@hotelamfora.be www.hotelamfora.be Grote Markt 20 - 8970 Poperinge 057 33 95 78 info@hoteldelapaix.be www.hoteldelapaix.be Ieperstraat 34 - 8970 Poperinge 057 33 30 93 Info@hotelpalace.be www.hotelpalace.be Burgemeester Bertenplein 7 - 8970 Poperinge 057 33 38 61 info@dekring.be www.dekring.be Abeelseweg 183-185 - 8970 Poperinge 057 33 23 70 info@kommiezenkot.be www.kommiezenkot.be

Guido Gezellestraat 24 - 8970 Poperinge 057 33 94 05 info@hotelamfora.be www.hotelamfora.be Schipvaartweg 6 - 8970 Poperinge 057 33 49 53 - 0496 54 50 31 manuclaes@skynet.be www.bb-atalanta.be Jagerstraat 8 - 8970 Poperinge 0477 34 03 93 info@popshouse.be www.popshouse.be Driegoenstraat 4 - 8970 Poperinge 057 36 02 53 info@boerenhol.be www.boerenhol.be Elverdingseweg 25 - 8970 Poperinge 057 42 23 66 predikherenhof@telenet.be www.predikherenhof.be Casselstraat 214 - 8970 Poperinge 057 36 08 93 guy.osteux@telenet.be www.beasbb.be

Minibus: collection from and drop off at the station

Watouseweg 9 - 8970 Poperinge 057 33 50 20 buxushof@telenet.be www.sintjanterbiezen.be/buxushof Reningelstplein 5 - 8970 Reningelst 0477 37 92 86 info@rentmeesterhoeve.be www.rentmeesterhoeve.be

Talbot House

€ 36 € 43

€ 66 € 78

Hotel Callecanes★★★

€ 109 € 175

€ 119 € 179

d'hommelbelle★★

€ 50 € 60

€ 80 € 100

B&B Sint-Maartens tuin★★★

€ 80 € 125

€ 90 € 140

Het Wethuys★★

€ 55 € 65

€ 90 € 100

B&B De Groenen Boomgaard★★★

€ 45

€ 80

- Every Man's Club B&B★ Gasthuisstraat 43 - 8970 Poperinge 057 33 32 28 info@talbothouse.be www.talbothouse.be

Callicanesweg 12 - 8978 Watou 057 38 88 08 info@hotel-callecanes.be www.hotel-callecanes.be Watouseweg 8 - 8978 Watou 057 33 47 10 hommelbelle@skynet.be www.user.skynet.be/hommelbelle Watouplein 2 - 8978 Watou 057 20 60 02 info@wethuys.be www.wethuys.be

Zevekotestraat 6 - 8970 Reningelst 0475 79 56 72 info@landhuisvedastus.be www.landhuisvedastus.be

Ouderdomseweg 66 - 8970 Reningelst 057 33 87 78 argiliere@telenet.be www.argiliere.be Haringestraat 85 - 8972 Haringe 057 36 33 19 info@sintmaartenstuin.be www.sintmaartenstuin.be Lindestaat 6 - 8972 Roesbrugge 0498 73 78 05 vgaveele@hotmail.com www.degroenenboomgaard.be

www.toerismepoperinge.be

Guestrooms Het Brouwershuis★★★

Trappistenweg 23A - 8978 Watou 057 38 88 60 info@brouwerhuis.com www.brouwershuis.com

Het Wethuys★★

Watouplein 2 - 8978 Watou 057 20 60 02 info@wethuys.be www.wethuys.be

Ons content★★★★

Witsonestraat 4 - 8972 Krombeke 057 36 03 08 jefengreet@telenet.be www.bloggen.be/ons_content

Holiday cottages Grimminckhof★★★★

Duivinnestraat 1A - 8970 Poperinge 0476 25 01 36 info@grimminckhof.be www.grimminckhof.be

Juliette★★★

Trommelaarstraat 21 - 8970 Poperinge 0476 86 56 54 juliette.poperinge@telenet.be www.vakantiehuis-juliette.be

De Kerselinde★★★★

rate single

number of rooms

MIN. - MAX

€ 86,50 € 96,50

rate double MIN. - MAX

€ 103 € 113

Parking lot Restaurant / Half board Disabled adjusted Pets allowed

€ 55 € 65

€ 90 € 100

Bar TV Free wireless internet

€ 45 € 55

€ 75 € 85

Bicycle rent

on request lunch on arrival

On request

Number of persons

Number of rooms

Credit cards accepted

rate weekend

rate midweek

rate week

Valkenberg 37 - 8970 Poperinge 0476 34 49 78 claerhout_johan@hotmail.com www.valkenberg37.be

De Horizon★★★

Kriekstraat 15 - 8970 Poperinge 057 33 91 42 info@dehorizon-reningelst.be www.dehorizon-reningelst.be

In De Jager★★★★

Jagerstraat 6 - 8970 Poperinge 057 33 33 07 - 0473 70 49 03 info@indenjager.be www.indenjager.be

t Haasje★★★

Ieperseweg 2 - 8970 Poperinge 0475 90 88 66 bart@hommelhove.be www.hommelhove.be

Kwakkelnest★★

Kemmelseweg 2a - 8970 Reningelst 057 33 45 57 kwakkelnest@gmail.com www.kwakkelnest.be

Ten Grenze★★★

Het Fazantennest★★

MIN. - MAX

€ 390

€ 360

€ 555

€ 300 € 400

€ 350 € 450

€ 500 € 600

6 to 8

€ 150 € 180

€ 190 € 230

€ 260 € 320

Huis van de dichter★★

€ 300 € 425

€ 400 € 500

€ 700 € 925

Abelestationsstraat 14B - 8970 Abele 057 20 16 05 info@tengrenze.be - www.tengrenze.be Stoppelweg 30 - 8978 Watou 0497 36 79 92 info@bouckennest.be www.bouckennest.be

De Luwte★★

Warandestraat 6 - 8978 Watou 057 38 87 44 deluwte@skynet.be www.deluwte.centerall.com Kapelaanstraat 2 - 8978 Watou 0494 74 64 44 info@huisvandedichter.be www.huisvandedichter.be

MIN. - MAX

€ 600 € 775

€ 750 € 925

t Graafschap★★★★★

€ 650 € 700

€ 580 € 750

€ 800 € 950

€ 150 € 195

€ 195

€ 380

De Eybeekhoeve★★★★★

€ 280 € 2280

€ 260 € 2120

€ 440 € 3400

€ 430

€ 480

In 't groen★★★★★

€ 770 € 870

€ 820 € 870

€ 945 € 1.070

€ 370 € 2500

€ 660 € 3400

Warandestraat 14 - 8978 Watou 057 38 86 03 tgraafschap@telenet.be www.tgraafschap.be Warandestraat 18 - 8970 Watou 057 33 33 47 info@eybeekhoeve www.eybeekhoeve.be

€ 890

€ 280 € 300

€ 300 € 320

€ 350 € 400

Landgoed Karel van Yedeghem★★★

€ 420 € 2240

€ 350 € 375

€ 360 € 510

€ 500 € 550

Tussch'n de Brugg'n★★★

€ 250

€ 795 € 850

€ 890 € 905

€ 985 € 1.120

Vintage House★★★

€ 210 € 250

€ 230 € 260

€ 310 € 350

€ 350

€ 550

In 't Gemak★★★★

9 + 1 baby

€ 335 € 450

€ 300 € 380

€ 420 € 630

De Bardelinde★

2 to 7

€ 68 € 173

€ 148 € 238

€ 203 € 378

€ 200

€ 400

€ 550 € 695

€ 490 € 740

6 >yes,

rate week

MIN. - MAX

Callestraat 6 - 8978 Watou 0477/27 83 98 info@landgoedkarelvanyedeghem.be www.landgoedkarelvanyedeghem.be

mobeds

€ 490 € 650

€ 538 € 788

€ 695 € 895

€ 660 € 810

€ 450

Bergenstraat 30 - 8972 Roesbrugge 0476 24 10 17 info@tusschndebruggn.be www.tusschndebruggn.be Moenaardestraat 91 - 8972 Haringe 0476 45 19 29 vintage.house@telenet.be www.vintagehouse.be Haringeplein 25 - 8972 Haringe 0476 48 07 94 vakantiehuisje@intgemak.be www.intgemak.be

14 + 3 baby’s

rate midweek

MIN. - MAX

Gravendreef 9 - 8978 Watou 057 30 05 21 info@intgroen.be www.intgroen.be

rate weekend

MIN. - MAX

Casselstraat 73 - 8970 Poperinge 057 33 88 88 hotelbelfort@telenet.be www.hotelbelfort.be

Landhuis Hommelhove★★★★★

Number of rooms

MIN. - MAX

Krombeekseweg 59 - 8970 Poperinge 057 33 63 76 lenb@telenet.be www.dekerselinde.be

Valkenberg 37★★★★

Number of persons

Holiday cottages

Blasiusstraat 65 - 8972 Krombeke 057 30 07 49 devmichiel@hotmail.com www.debardelinde.be

't Hoppecruyt★★★★

Pets are allowed subject to a surcharge of EUR 5

Provenplein 69 - 8972 Proven 057 30 05 95 info@hoppecruyt.be www.hoppecruyt.be List of licensed accommodations according to the “Vlaams logiesinformatiesysteem” on February 20th, 2014.

www.toerismepoperinge.be

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Tourist Magazine Calendar of Events 2014 Spring, summer, autumn or winter ... there is something worth seeing the whole year round in Poperinge. Follow the hop cultivation, whatever the season. Or be tempted by the numerous cultural festivities, with both a capital C and a small letter c. Celebrations, walks, festivals, (flea) markets ... there is something to suit all tastes!

4 April to 22 September 2014 24 Belgians, 24 Beers The Hop Museum asked 24 famous Belgians to help boosting the fame of Belgian Beer. 24, just like the number of bottles in a beer crate. Art photographer Koen Bauters made some beautiful pictures and asked with a journalist what famous Belgians like Rocco Granata, Gilda de Bal, Marcel Van Tilt, Eva Daeleman… associated with the good things of life. Curious to find out what kind of beer is linked to them? Various activities with a famous Belgian are planned during the exhibition period (tasting, concerts …). A photo book completes this event. Info: www.hopmuseum.be

26 April to 10 November 2014 Tripartite summer exhibition You can view the tripartite summer exhibition in Talbot House during this period. The house has cartoons and the books in which they were published, the “slessorium” or bath house focuses on abstract art and the garden is a treasure trove of visual art. Read more: www.talbothouse.be

From March 2014 > Every Wednesday The Soundtrack from 14-18 The Soundtrack from 14 to 18 (see p. 18) Read more: www.lijssenthoek.be

6 September 2014 – 5 September 2015 Heavy Traffic “Heavy Traffic, railway traffic and other means of transport in Poperinge 1914-1918” interactive diorama and outdoor exhibition with mobile application (Poperinge) (see p?) .

28 to 30 March 2014 Carnival Weekend The Poperinge carnival weekend features a colourful children’s carnival on Friday afternoon, fair, carnival parade, preceded by the caravan of advertisers, “saffel” evening on Sunday, during which there are performances by small bands and there is also a masquerade. Read more: www.keikoppencarnaval.be

4 to 6 April 2014 Volkscafé Weekend Get to know an authentic mix of traditional games, music, dancing, food and drink, cabaret, etc. during the Volkscafé Weekend. A guide takes you along to visit forgotten local pubs by bicycle. There is something interesting for all people, great and small: even the little ones haven’t been forgotten. Read more: www.toerismewesthoek.be/weekendvanhetvolkscafé

1 May 2014 There are FLEAs on the MARKET Large flea market of almost 200 stalls in the centre of Poperinge. Stands must be reserved in advance with the Tourist Office.

23 June 2014 Festival of the Horse There are thousands of horse lovers who flock to the centre of Krombeke on this day. A market for horses, ponies and second-hand accessories takes place in the afternoon. Horse races in the fields start at 5 p.m. and these are followed by performances and a “horse racing ball” in the centre of the village. Read more: www.feestvanhetpaard.be

5 to 14 July 2014 Fair in Poperinge Numerous attractions are to be seen on the Poperinge Grote Markt (Market Square) and Paardenmarkt (Horse Market Square). You can spend hours enjoying yourself at the fair. You can enjoy entertainment and reductions galore on Monday, 7 July, so-called “Zotte Maandag” (“Mad Monday”). There are fantastic fireworks to finish off the day.

6 July 2014 Historical Procession This cultural and historical procession is a visual commemoration of the miracle that happened in 1476. A still-born child was brought to life through prayers said to Our Lady of St. John. About a thousand people walking in the procession prepare to accompany the statue of Our Lady of St. John through the inner city. The history of Poperinge is also portrayed in the procession. Read more: www.mariaommegang.be

15 August 2014 Mountainbike XL Mountainbike XL is the classic mountain bike cycling race in West Flanders. There is something to suit every mountain biker. Beginners opt for the 30 or 40 km mountain bike enjoyment, the fitter ones go for the 60 or 80 km, and the daredevils take on the 100 or 120 km. As always, the West Flanders and French Flanders hills form the backdrop to this cycling trail. Rodeberg, Kemmelberg, Zwarte Berg, Scherpenberg, Catsberg, Casselberg provide a large gourmet dish filled with pure mountain biking pleasure. Read more: www.mtbpoperinge.be

Manoir Ogygia**** 21 August 2014 Start of the Four-day Walk from the Yser in Poperinge This classic hiking event is a co-production by the military and civilians, in which sport and relaxation are linked to relics and sites from WWI in the Westhoek. Start between 8.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. on the Grote Markt (Market Square). Read more: www.vierdaagse.be

Manoir Ogygia**** has nine rooms (including two duplex rooms) on the ground and first floors, which can accommodate 22 people. The rooms have a bubble bath and shower or steam cabin and bathtub. The hotel is located in a beautiful park garden extending over 1 hectare. Dinner is reserved for hotel guests in the small 19th century castle and people not staying at the hotel can also make reservations for dinner. The castle also houses a wellness institute where you can enjoy a wonderfully relaxing massage or session of therapeutic natural stone table covered with semi-precious stones and placed under infrared lamps and colour therapy. The top floor of the hotel has a paradise of facilities to pamper and spoil yourself, such as jacuzzi, sauna, steam shower, infrared tunnel, conversation corner, bar, television, etc. You can also rent a Vespa scooter from us to explore the “Westhoek”.

30 August 2014 Marktrock Poperinge Read more: www.marktrockpoperinge.be

7 September 2014 Cyrus festivity During the Cyrus Festivity, the vzw Cenrtummanagement (non-profit association) produces a fantastic mix of fashion shows, shopping, national and international street entertainment, exhibitions and a genuine children’s village for the whole family.

19 to 21 September 2014 Beer and Hop Festival Poperinge is giving its two greatest trumps of hop and beer centre stage for the 22nd time during the Beer and Hop Festival on 19, 20 and 21 September 2014, during which there is a get-to-know-one-another evening in the festival tent, Hop Queen election, musical tattoo, Hop Parade, “Lekker Westhoeks” and numerous other forms of entertainment. See also p. 6-7. Read more: www.hoppefeesten.be

25 and 26 October 2014 Poperinge Beer Festival

’t Hoppecruyt**** Cracht ende werkinghe Visit this hop farm Pleasant for all ages

For the 19th time, the Poperinge Bierproeversgenootschap (Beer Tasters’ Association) is gathering about ten breweries under one roof in Hotel Belfort on the Grote Markt (Market Square). See also p.?

Provenplein 69 - 8972 Proven T 057 30 05 98 info@hoppecruyt.be www.hoppecruyt.be

Come and visit us. We will give a 90-minute coverage of the history of hop, its medicinal effects, the contemporary cultivation techniques and how it is processed. Hop is breathtaking throughout the year: in March we taste the hop sprouts, from May we examine the insects and hop cones. We end with a “hommeldruppel” - drink of cone gin made from corn. We have created a programme catering especially for groups of children.

8 November 2014 Blaublues Blaublues Haringe has for years been the symbol of blues and top international blues artists are expected again this year. The festival is commemorating its 15th anniversary this year. Read more: www.blaublues.be

Tasting and enjoyment is the name of the game. After the visit, you can enjoy a beer, hop ice cream, “hommelientje” (hommelientjes are chocolates based on hop extract and dark chocolate) or hop cake, all made with our own home-grown hop. The sound of the accordion creates a unique hop atmosphere of yesteryear.

13 to 21 December 2014 Christmas in Poperinge Once again, Poperinge is the right place to do all your Christmas shopping during the weekends of 13 and 14, and 20 and 21 December. The shops will be opening their doors and there will be numerous (hobby) associations selling their heart-warming delicacies. The energetic souls can have a real ball on the covered ice rink. The ice rink provides ice-skating pleasure from 13 December 2014 to 4 January 2015 (except on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day). Read more: www.poperinge.be/winterinpoperinge

Veurnestraat 108 - 8970 Poperinge T +32 (0)57/33 88 38 - F +32 (0)57/33 29 11 info@ogygia.be www.ogygia.be

We have our own hop trade of home cultivated clean green hop (specialising in small packages).Sale of hop sprouts. ’t Hoppecruyt Logies**** > Holiday house for 6 persons on the farm.

Zokola Finest Belgian Chocolates

Blasiusstraat 97 - 8972 Krombeke-Poperinge T +32 (0)473/968 972 www.zokola.be

“Chocolate Poppies” the symbol of the commemoration of the First World War in chocolate with a home-made caramel centre flavoured with Baileys and coffee. Moreover you are supporting the social projects of the Ypres branch of the Royal British Legion Created and produced in the artisanal ‘Zokola’ chocolaterie. “Poperingse Hommelknopje” The chocolate hop flower with a delicious filling of Watou Tripel, chocolate and hint of Poperinge hop. Created and produced in the artisanal ‘Zokola’ chocolaterie. You can find our complete assortment on www.zokola.be The Zokola factory shop is open every day from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. except on Sunday, Monday and bank holidays.

Tourist Office Grote Markt 1 B-8970 Poperinge T. 00 32 (0) 57 34 66 76 F. 00 32 (0) 57 33 57 03 toerisme@poperinge.be www.toerismepoperinge.be

Tourist points In each of these pubs and restaurant you can get basic information about all the highlights and events in and around Poperinge ’t Jagershof Bankelindeweg 58 8979 Krombeke

Herberg Boerenhol Driegoenstraat 4 8970 Reningelst

In het Brouwershof Douvieweg 4 8978 Watou

In de Leene Boescheepseweg 2a 8970 Poperinge

’t Kerkegat Prof. Rubbrechtstraat 2D 8972 Roesbrugge

Het Ovenhuis Watouplein 1 8978 Watou

D’oude Smesse Zevekotestraat 3 8970 Reningelst

Christen Volkshuis Prof. Rubbrechtstraat 2 8972 Roesbrugge

Het Wethuys Watouplein 2 8978 Watou

Colophon This magazine is published by Toerisme Poperinge Publisher: Schepen voor Toerisme Jurgen Vanlerberghe, Grote Markt 1, Poperinge Layout and copywriting: www.ou-vert.be Photography: Westtoer/B.ad, Michiel Hendryckx, Devid Camerlynck, Bart Degrande, Marc Wauters, Michaël Depestele, Sabine Allemeersch, Alex Vanhee, Piet De Kersgieter, Wim Chielens, Peter Bonduelle, Ghislain Beun, Koen Bauters, De Lovie, Charlotte Merlevede, David Samyn, Westtoer, Fotoclub Poperinge and received images. Office de Tourisme de la Région de Saint-Omer, Office de Tourisme de Bergues, vzw P.art, Talbot House and Dienst Toerisme Poperinge. Printing: Drukkerij Goekint, Ostende: 10.000 ex. – 2014

This magazine comes with a city map, available at the Tourist Office.

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