have fun in the grensleie

HAVE FUN IN
THE GRENSLEIE
Visits without borders
LEDEGEM
MENEN
MOORSLEDE
WERVIK
WEVELGEM
The Leie River flows into Flanders near the ancient city of Wervik. From Wervik to Menen the river is the border
with France. It's not surprising that this region, which includes Wervik, Menen, Ledegem, Moorslede and Wevelgem, is called the ‘Grensleie’ or Border Leie. Lively stories about smugglers give this part of the Leie Region an extra
dimension. The First World War also left deep marks on this area, making it worth a visit.
STORIES ALONG THE BORDER AND THE
LEIE RIVER
From Wervik to Menen the Leie River is the border with
France. This border region was used by smugglers for
centuries. Across the brooks and across the Leie River,
through the fields and small paths the 'blauwers'
transported their secret cargo, usually tobacco, towards
France. It was crawling with 'kommiezen' (diligent
customs officers). The flying brigades, customs officers
on bicycles, waged war against 'fraudeurs'.
The National Tobacco Museum in Wervik tells the story of tobacco smuggling in a way that will even fascinate children. The museum also highlights other aspects, such as growing tobacco, tobacco consumption,
pipes, snuffboxes and much more. During the Great
War commemorative period the museum will mainly
highlight tobacco and smoking during WW I.
After your visit you can enjoy a drink on the terrace of
the retro ‘In den Grooten Moriaen’ inn .
© David Samyn
Even jukeboxes were smuggled over the border! You'll become acquainted with that story in the Jukebox Museum,
which is located on an old arm of the Leie River in Menen.
You'll discover about 100 fully-functioning jukeboxes,
thousands of singles and about 350 radios from the period
1926-1950. This museum also has a wonderful terrace
with views of the water and cyclists passing by on the towpath along the Leie River.
The Jukebox Museum is in the centre of Menen, a
border town and fortified city that is more than
900 years old. The Leie River separates Menen from
the French city of Halluin.
Menen was besieged by the enemy 22 times between the 16th and the 19th centuries. That's why
the residents of the city are still proud of the
strongholds that protected them in turbulent times. The restored Kazematten, which are part of
the fortifications, are also worth a visit.
The vast collection in the municipal museum ’t
Schippershof shows aspects from the city's rich
history as well as works by artists from Menen. It
also houses the tourist information office. A bit further you'll find the city hall of Menen and the belfry,
which is mentioned on the UNESCO list of World
Heritage Sites .
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FRONT
During the Great War, the front ran straight through the
border area of the French and Flemish Leie Region. As a
result, this region did not experience many acts of war.
The German passage in 1914, the allied liberation offensive
in 1918 and the German presence did leave deep marks.
The military cemeteries in the area are silent witnesses of
these tragic events.
On the border of Menen and Wevelgem you'll find the largest German military cemetery in Belgium: Menenwald.
About 48,000 soldiers are buried there. At the Menen tourism office you can book a fascinating guided group visit to
Menenwald.
Dadizeele New British Cemetery is the final resting place of 1029 soldiers from the Great War. At the cemetery
you can see another reminder of this period: a German machine-gun bunker.
A bit further you'll find Kezelberg Military Cemetery in Wevelgem. This British military cemetery was constructed
at the end of 1918. It includes the graves of 145 soldiers from the United Kingdom, 1 Canadian, 1 Chinese and 14
German soldiers.
WAR IN THE AIR
A special aspect of the First World War was the
battle for the airspace. Old Leghem is a private museum in Ledegem about aviation during the First
World War.
More than 20 scale models of aeroplanes, short films
and other historic materials allow scheduled groups
to relive that exciting yet deadly period of aviation
history. The museum also has a brasserie where you
can drink something after your visit .
ON A PILGRIMAGE IN DADIZELE
The stately Dadizele Basilica also played an important
role during the First World War. The basilica served as a
field hospital, where wounded soldiers were treated.
Today, things are more peaceful in the pilgrimage municipality of Dadizele. During the month of May, worshippers run the show. Next to the basilica you'll find
Mariënstede Castle, which was heavily damaged during
WW I.
PLEASURE ON THE WATER
The Leie River is much more than a border that triggered smuggling in the past. The Golden River is currently synonymous with
pleasure. Every year the municipalities of Wervik, Menen and Wevelgem organise summer boat trips on the Leie River. You can
combine a relaxing trip on the water with a delicious meal or a
visit to a place of interest.
TIP! Provincial Domain Bergelen in Gullegem is a young, 60 ha nature domain that surrounds an old sand pit in
Gullegem. Children can enjoy themselves in the amusement forest and birdwatchers can use the observation hut.
A cafeteria will open in the near future.
HAVE FUN IN NATURE
There is a lot to experience along the banks of the Leie River. Recreation island De Balokken in Wervik is a 36 ha park
between the new and the old Leie River. It includes footpaths, a plank bridge over a marsh, sitting areas, a bird observation hut, a marina… and a cafeteria where you can enjoy a
drink on a sunny terrace!
SLEEP SOUNDLY
Those who want to explore the Grensleie for more than a day
and who also want to relax can choose to stay in the area. We
present an extensive range of accommodations on
www.toerisme-leiestreek.be
DELICACIES OF THE LYS VALLEY
Flandrienkaas
At Flandrienkaas in Wervik you'll rediscover authentic, Flemish flavours from times
gone by. Enjoy an intense yet soft aftertaste. This regional product received a gold medal at the World Cheese Awards. The distinctive Flandrienkaas is on sale at the cheese
shop Epoisses .
Kaashandel Epoisses, Steenakker 23, 8940 Wervik – www.flandrienkaas.be
Chocolaterie Vereecke
The 100% Belgian chocolate is processed following traditional methods at Chocolaterie Vereecke in Menen. They make pralines and other chocolate items every day; this
guarantees the freshness of the products. You cannot visit the chocolaterie but you
can purchase something delicious in the shop .
Rijselstraat 217, 8930 Menen - www.vereecke-chocolaterie.be
Grootmoeders Koffie
Nestor Hanssens created the soft flavours and lovely aromas of Grootmoeders Koffie
(Grandma's Coffee) during the war. The ‘café avec la petite grand-mère’ is still loved,
even by the French. Visit the coffee-roasting house and the coffee museum then enjoy
a cup of coffee.
Kleine Ieperstraat 11, 8560 Gullegem (Wevelgem) – www.grootmoederskoffie.be
Kletsbier
The brewery ‘Bier en Karakter’ in Slypskapelle near Moorslede has been brewing an
amber-coloured, blond, high-fermentation beer since 2012. There are currently blond,
brown and amber-coloured 'Klets' beers on the market. Kletsbier is on sale in diverse
shops in Moorslede and surrounding cities.
Brouwerij ‘Bier en Karakter’, Slypsstraat 46, Moorslede - www.bierenkarakter.be
Praline ‘Winkel Koerse’ made by Chocolaterie Hallaert
Chocolaterie Hallaert in Ledegem recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. The chocolaterie regularly creates innovative pralines. The most famous praline is perhaps the
'Winkel Koerse', which commemorates the village's horse race.
Gullegemsestraat 24, 8880 Sint-Eloois Winkel (Ledegem) - chocolateriehallaert.be
LYS VALLEY CYCLING NETWORK
You prefer to explore on your own? Then the Lys Valley cycling network is
definitely something for you. More than 300 kilometres of car-free cycling paths
make the Lys Valley the perfect cycling region! Come discover the many
landscapes, beautiful cities and picturesque villages by bike!
https://shop.westtoer.be/en
TIP!
Go for a walk with a Lys Valley
Greeter! These enthusiastic local
volunteers will show you their
favourite places in their own
municipality!
www.greeters-leiestreek.be
TIP!
Order a free map of the
Lys Valley via
www.toerismeleiestreek.be