The tour of Flanders

Brussels is rich in history, architecture, gastronomy, culture and much more! Visit the Grand Place, take pictures with Manneken Pis, taste a Belgian beer, don't forget the chocolates.

The history of Brussels is rich and long. The city center, with its pedestrian districts, invites you to stroll and discover.

Take your time to enjoy the city of Brussels before leaving.

You cycle on bikepaths towards the famous Atomium, built in 1958, which you can visit. Then you leave the city and discover the Flemish countryside. The Belgian bicycle paths are a real treat. In Aalst, visit the cute little town center. This city has a lot of charm and seems a little sleepy. All that changes during the carnival period, when thousands of people party for several days.

Leaving Aalst, you immediately enter the countryside. You follow bicycle paths until you find the river Scheldt. This silver river leads you upstream towards Ghent on the wide towpath.

Ghent is Europe's biggest secret. This city has everything to offer: tourist attractions, small cafes and bars, fantastic restaurants, beautiful museums and historic buildings. Don't hesitate to visit the Gruut Town Brewery, climb the belfry, visit the masterpiece of the Van Eyck brothers (the Mystic lamb) in the cathedral... You'll probably want to stay here a little longer.

After your morning coffee, you leave Ghent along the canal towards Bruges. This canal will be your guide along the stage.

The Venice of the North awaits you impatiently. When you arrive in Bruges, don't be shocked by the large number of tourists marveling at this beautiful city. But don't worry, from around 6 p.m. you'll have the city to yourself. Restaurants, bars and cafes will welcome you with open arms. Marvel at the beautiful medieval architecture, indulge in a boat ride on the canals or visit the Brugse Zot brewery.

After a final stroll in Bruges, prepare yourself for the longest stage of your holiday. Don't worry, you are in West Flanders, it's flat. You cross the countryside, a region where more pigs live than people. You'll see beets, radishes, corn, cereals, carrots, and of course the raw material for Belgian frites : the “bintje” -potatoe ! Even the frites factories are located on the countryside.

Kortrijk looks like a small provincial town, but make no mistake, it is one of the largest Flemish towns. Nevertheless, it is a wonderfully calm city center which still reflects the wealth of the 19th century. You can visit the beguinage, the large main square with its belfry and you can even climb the tower of the Saint-Martin church (free).

You leave Kortrijk on a track which was built on an old railway line. You then follow the Canal until you find the Scheldt river again. The towpath takes you to Oudenaarde in 37 km on a flat surface... Unless you want to discover the Flemish hills yourself. They are well known thanks to the Tour of Flanders: the Kwaremont, the Paterberg and the Koppenberg. Make no mistake, these short climbs are real challengers: they are steep, very steep! and they are strewn with terrible cobblestones. Not for the faint of heart. But for those who dare, it is essential to test this variant (adding 10 km to the total).

Once in Oudenaarde, you can visit the Tour of Flanders Center, a must-see for anyone who loves bicycle racing. The city center is another gem of Flemish medieval architecture. You can visit the beguignage or one of the city's 5 breweries.

The first part of this stage follows the Scheldt river. Soon you enter the Flemish Ardennes for a more hilly part, but without real problems. Arriving in Grammont (French) or Geraardsbergen (Dutch) or even Giesbaarg (Flemish) - you can feel like a true "Flandrien", as a small optional loop takes you to the top of the famous Mur de Grammont.

In Geraardsbergen, it is essential to taste the maton cake. This delicacy has benefited from a geographical status protected by the European Union since 2007. Maton is a curd obtained by cooking whole milk and buttermilk, to which eggs and sugar are added.

A short trip along the Dendre river before heading into the Pajottenland. Often called the Tuscany of the North, with the difference that hops and beer, and more particularly lambic and gueuze, replace vines and wine. It is a very fertile and hilly agricultural region.

Hilly, indeed, but at at the end Brussels awaits you with a Brussels waffle (which they just call waffle here) or an excellent gueuze from the very last real Brussels gueuze brewery: Cantillon (visit and tasting session possible).

Services end after breakfast. We hope you have spent an excellent holiday in Belgium. Don't forget to grab some chocolates to take home with you.

Services end after breakfast. We hope you have spent an excellent holiday in Belgium. Don't forget to grab some chocolates to take home with you.