Along the border from France through Belgium

The starting point of this route is node 33, in the beautiful quiet Westhoek on the edge of Poperinge. The art and brewery village of Watou, the West Flemish mountains, the amusement park Bellewaerde or Plopsaland, the peace city of Ypres, French Flanders and even the Flemish and northern French coast are nearby. d\\\'Hommelbelle stands for peace, culture, relaxation, nature, good food and drinks and much more. Enjoyment in the pure sense, and with the Westhoek as a wonderful backdrop. It is an ideal base for a successful holiday stay and beautiful cycling trips. You cycle on a beautiful rural route to Sint Sixtus Abbey. Westvleteren may be less known to most people than other Trappist monasteries, but the beer from this abbey was voted the best beer in the world a few years ago. The Trappist Westvleteren is only for sale in the sales center at the abbey and only after reservation by telephone - so it is worth arranging! Then you soon enter Poperinge, which is worth exploring. The city center of Poperinge has three large Gothic churches: the Sint-Bertinuskerk, the Gothic hall church of Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkerk with a pointed tower of 70 meters high and the Sint-Janskerk from 1300. Also take a look at the Weeuwhof. These houses, built around a courtyard, are very reminiscent of a beguinage. However, they were intended to house single women and widows (widows), who used to make a living with bobbin lace. Canon Proventier had the court built between 1769 and 1782, the pump in the courtyard mentions the names of the founders. The court now has a social housing function. You will also find several museums in Poperinge to extend your day out. The Hop Museum is located in the city scale complex: hops used to be weighed, inspected and stacked here. In 2006 the museum underwent a true metamorphosis. The existing building was expanded with a spacious annex where workshops, beer seminars, exhibitions and fun children's activities now take place. The Hop Museum is the center for hops and beer. Since this year you can admire the Belgian beer collection: more than 1400 Belgian beers collected in one cabinet. Talbot House refers to another episode in Poperingen's history: WWI. During the First World War, this small town grew into a metropolis in no time during the First World War as a garrison for the British. Thousands of soldiers passed through every day on their way to and from the front. The city quickly gained fame thanks to its cheerful and relaxed atmosphere. Because of the many cafes, restaurants, concert halls, brothels, cinemas and shops, it sometimes seemed to the tired soldiers as if they had ended up in Paris. At that time, the 6th Division of the British Army rented the civilian home of the Coevoet family and, under the direction of Chaplain Philip'Tubby\\\' Clayton, converted it into a clubhouse where all soldiers were welcome, without distinction of rank or status. status. For many of them this place became their 'home away from home'.