Temse, 5km/3miles south of Sint-Niklaas on the Scheldt, is known for its shipbuilding. The town was once a center of the cloth industry, particularly sail-cloth.
In the market stands Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkerk, a Gothic 16th C. hall church which can look back to a predecessor dating from 770. In the church is the 16th C. tomb of the benefactors of the town, Roeland Lefebure and Hadewigis van Heemstede.