LEDEGEM

MENEN

MOORSLEDE

WERVIK

WEVELGEM

Visits without borders

HAVE FUN IN

THE GRENSLEIE

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 Wevel-gem, 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 sto-ry of tobacco smuggling in a way that will even fasci-nate children. The museum also highlights other as-pects, 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 be-come 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 tow-path 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 bet-ween 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 ti-mes. 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 fur-ther 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 lar-gest German military cemetery in Belgium: Menenwald. About 48,000 soldiers are buried there. At the Menen tou-rism 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 mu-seum 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 muni-cipality of Dadizele. During the month of May, wor-shippers run the show. Next to the basilica you'll find Mariënstede Castle, which was heavily damaged during WW I.

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

PLEASURE ON THE WATER

The Leie River is much more than a border that triggered smug-gling in the past. The Golden River is currently synonymous with pleasure. Every year the municipalities of Wervik, Menen and We-velgem 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.

HAVE FUN IN NATURE

There is a lot to experience along the banks of the Leie Ri-ver. Recreation island De Balokken in Wervik is a 36 ha park between the new and the old Leie River. It includes footpa-ths, a plank bridge over a marsh, sitting areas, a bird obser-vation hut, a marina… and a cafeteria where you can enjoy a drink on a sunny terrace!

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.

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 me-dal 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 Chocolate-rie 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 choco-laterie 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.toerisme-leiestreek.be