Ostend, Leffinge and Oudenburg

Ostend's history goes back to the ninth century, when the first traces of habitation are found. Fishermen lived off what the sea had to offer them and shepherds herded their animals across the fields. In 814, the then tiny village was donated to the abbey of Sint-Bertinus in Sint-Omaars, but in 1267 the town of Ostend received its own city rights. Nevertheless, Ostend had no walls, fortresses or bulwarks to ward off enemies. In 1372 the city was fortified with palisades, but eventually the town lost to an indestructible enemy and residents had to give up a large part of Ostend to constant flooding and heavy storms. After a last, major flood, the city was largely moved in 1447 and Ostend came to lie further away from the sea. During your bike ride you will see many historical elements in the landscape, which you may not quickly stop because they seem so obvious. Don't be mistaken, for example, in the pattern of channels and dikes that runs through the polder: you can see that the sea was gradually pushed back and that the landscape was conquered from the water in small steps. There are also settlements, forts and line dykes dating from the Eighty Years' War, hardly recognizable to laymen but not unimportant for the history of the landscape. These connect to other dikes and channels, because the water was an important weapon in the battle. The fortifications of Sluis and Retranchement, which unfortunately are not on the cycle route, are still well preserved. When you have parked your car, your route starts at Profile Ostend. The bicycle specialist is ready to bring your bicycle into top condition. An experienced cyclist knows that a service literally makes the trip run much smoother, so you would do well to have your bike checked here. You will receive a 10 euro discount on presentation of your bicycle discount card.