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Municipality in Flemish Community, Belgium
Photo: Jim Hooker aka. Colorado Locks at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
De Haan is a beach resort on the Belgian sea coast in West Flanders. Thanks to a clever and strict real estate policy, De Haan has kept the charm of the 1930s, with a lot of white villas and compared to the other Belgian seaside resorts a very limited number of postwar apartment blocks. It is forbidden to build buildings higher than 5 floors here. In 2018, it was home to 13,000 permanent residents.
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The tram station is much photographed. The name of the station De Haan aan Zee literally means the rooster by the sea. Between the tram tracks is a historical sign saying "don't step on the tracks" in Dutch on one side and in French on the other. The coastal tram used to be part of a much larger network of cross-country trams (known as the Vicinal in French and the Buurttram in Dutch) of which very little remains in operation today.
Small white pavilion built on top of the second highest dune of Belgium (31 meters above sea level). This place is close to the village center of Wenduine. From the pavilion you can have a nice view over the surrounding dunes.
Albert Einstein lived in the villa Savoyarde for six months in 1933 after escaping the Nazi regime in Germany. After six months he moved to the United States. The house is not open for visit and is private property with people living in the house; please respect this.
This wooden mill built by Jan Hubert in 1880 can be compared to those in the Netherlands. Jan Hubert belonged to the most important miller family of the Belgian coast.
This historic farm in the village of Vlissegem with a monumental barn dates back to the 14th century. The barn is now located in a hotel called Hof ter Lepelem.
Wooded dunes
This unusual woodland stretching from Vosseslag to Wenduine. The nature reserves 'De Zandpanne' and 'De Kijkuit' are situated in or next to the 'Duinbossen'. Several paths allow walkers to cross the terrain. Maybe you can spot one of the galloway cows grazing between Wenduine and Zwarte Kiezel.
This nature reserve consists of a more than 1000 years old dune area, located between De Haan (Vosseslag village to be more precise) and the neighboring municipality of Bredene. Since 1993 it is protected as a nature reserve.
The town hall was built as the first luxury hotel Grand Hotel du Coq in De Haan with running hot water. In the period after the Second World War the building served as a holiday centre for Walloon children. The coastline that time was more inland, so the hotel was situated right next to the beach. Since the 1970s the building is used as the town hall.
Koninklijke Golf Club Oostende
One of the oldest golf courses in Belgium and the only link course on the Belgian coast. It was built in assignment of king Leopold II due to his aspirations to make Ostend more appealing to British tourists. The golf course is called "Oostende", but it actually is situated in De Haan, albeit in the direction of Ostend.
Between De Haan and Wenduine, the two nature reserves Duinbossen and De Zandpanne allow for a good hike.
Scroll around the small park in the center of De Haan. Ideal leisure activity with kids: there is a playground, a midget golf and a lot of benches to see the kids cycling around.
Wielingenzwembad
Swimming pool at the beach in Wenduine.
Learn to know the local traditions at this typical Flemish fair. Typically organised mid June.
One of the most appreciated frietkoten in De Haan municipality, though situated in the village of Vosseslag. This is the place you have to go to if you want to have some good fries in De Haan.
A brasserie on the beach and restaurant of the Strandhotel. A great place to drink a trappist beer or eat a shrimp croquette.
Great restaurant in the village of Vlissegem. The food is very tasty and beautifully served.
Meat and grill restaurant in the centre of De Haan. Most courses are with meat and fish. Dishes for children are available.
Luxurious restaurant with a fine cuisine is a good location for fine dining in De Haan.
Nice brasserie with coffee and tea located on the seaside promenade. Also offer snacks such as waffles and ice cream. Ideal for a small afternoon break from the beach.
Cozy place with friendly service. Tea, coffee and snacks are served here.
Typical Belgian cafe bar to have a coffee or beer.
Cocktails in an exotic bar.
Camping located on the edge of the De Haan municipality. This camping offers spots for tents, caravans and campers. Parking spaces for cars are included. WiFi and hot water are available. Open from 31 March until 3 October.
Big holiday park behind the dunes where well equipped holiday houses are available. In the center of the park is an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, sauna and wellness centre. The park is open during the whole year.
Comfortable economy hotel located behind the beautiful dune forest.
Small B&B in a 1939 villa. Garden with 4 sunbeds and other garden furniture.
Apartments equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom. The domain has a free outdoor swimming pool opened during the summer months.
A charming little four star hotel in the Concessie (the white villas part of De Haan), near the beach and the natural "dune" reserve and not far from the village.
Excellent four star high-end hotel housed in a 1912 monumental corner building.
Very close to the main tram station.
The coastal tram (de Kusttram in Dutch) is the easiest way to reach De Haan by public transport. The tram line runs from De Panne near the French border to Knokke near the Dutch border.
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