Blow out on the Flemish coast

Explore the mouth of the Western Scheldt between Cadzand-Bad and Retranchement and cycle through the Zwin nature reserve. At 75 hectares, this isn't a huge nature reserve, but its small scale is charming, and the openness of the Kievittepolder makes it unique. Behind a massive dune ridge, you'll find a salt marsh directly connected to the sea by the Zwin channel. Glasswort and sea lavender thrive in this salt marsh, bringing beautiful colors to the area in summer. Other salt-tolerant plants such as sea couch grass, sea purslane, and sea beet also thrive, as does the yellow horned poppy. It's no wonder, then, that birds like the redshank, avocet, and oystercatcher like to breed in the area. With a bit of luck, you'll also see the little egret hunting over the salt marsh. Besides stunning nature, you'll also find a charming piece of cultural history in the form of the Retranchement windmill. The Retranchementse Molen is a wooden post mill built in 1818. A mill has stood on this site since 1643, but the Retranchementse Molen was only built after its predecessor was blown down. The grain and hulling mill is roofed with slate and has a span of over twenty meters. The open post mill is still in use. A volunteer miller regularly operates it to grind grain.