Koksijde Attractions

Koksidje is famous for its flower market, the fishermen's festival and the flower-covered artists' procession.

Guided walks are organized through the Schipgat dunes with its flora and fauna, the north dunes and the "Doornpanne" and "Kerkepanne" nature reserves.

A town 4km/2miles to the south of Koksijde, Hof Ten Bogaerde was the refuge of the monks who fled the destruction of the Duinenabdij. It was laid out as long ago as 1184 but today only ruins remain, the most noteworthy being the large 13th C. barn.

The highest and longest dune on the Belgian coast, the 33m/108ft high and 42ha/103 acre "Hoge Blekker", is here in Koksijde.

The Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter-Duinen church is a remarkable modern creation by the Bruges architect Langsoght from 1965. Its wavy roof and blue paint express the sea, whereas the beige bricks symbolize the dunes formed by the wind. The light interior houses in the crypt the tomb of St Iselbald, 12th C. abbot of the abbey.

The statue of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter-Duinen weighing 2.8 tons is by Brigitte Loire.

Paul Delvaux, after René Magritte the most well known Belgian Surrealist, spent a lot of time in Koksijde and painted many of his paintings here. An extensive collection of paintings and drawings by the artist are displayed in the museum dedicated to him in a villa in Sint-Idesbald.